Senior External Relations Associate

Deadline for ApplicationsJanuary 26, 2026

Hardship LevelB

Family TypeFamily

Family TypeFamily

Residential location (if applicable)

GradeGS7

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service

ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date2026-03-01

Standard Job Description

Senior External Relations Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior External Relations Associate is to be a key external point of contact for the UNHCR office with media and other external organisations. The incumbent will be responsible for creating greater public (Donors, NGOs, Government, Refugees, Civil Society, etc.) awareness and understanding of refugee issues and the work of UNHCR and for amplifying the voice of refugees and other people of concern (PoC). S/he will have a pivotal role in drafting reports, updates, briefing documents, maintenance of the UNHCR local web site and social media channels and providing support to the supervisor.

The Senior External Relations Associate supports activities, events, campaigns and outreach, working with partner organisations to support the protection of PoC. Essential to these efforts are coherent and consistent visual and verbal messaging and linking the substantive media elements (news) to milestone events (World Refugee Day, Nansen Refugee Award, #IBelong Campaign to end Statelessness, HCs Dialogues, and the launch of one off campaigns and events.) The overall aim is to mobilise further financial support, increase awareness and empathy for forcibly displaced people.

The incumbent normally reports to a Representative, Head of Office/Section or a Senior Communication or External Relations Officer, depending on the office setup.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

- Support UNHCR's media relations and advocacy work in the geographic and thematic area.

- Monitor evolving issues concerning asylum seekers, stateless persons and refugees within the Area of Responsibility (AoR) and suggest stories and topics for media coverage.

- Provide support to Senior Management in dealing with the challenges posed by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform, and institutional developments.

- Ensure that the office is kept informed of local developments which may have a political or operational impact on its activities.

- Provide background briefings to local and international media.

- Accompany visits of foreign delegations and the media to refugee sites, give appropriate briefings, commentaries and prepare briefing material for visitors.

- Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide accurate information by organizing regular briefings, bilateral meetings and missions.

- Assist Senior Management in disseminating information on UNHCR's global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement special projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for PoC.

- Manage budget, when requested, including tracking expenditures and incoming donations. Ensure payments through UNHCR and prepare budget documents for partners and reports on spending.

- Assist in the drafting of situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles.

- Assist in planning and organizing advertisements, exhibitions, training seminars, conferences, meetings, social events, campaigns and other activities to promote a better understanding of UNHCR's activities and accomplishments by the general public and/or organized groups.

- Organize press briefings for external parties as required.

- Reach out proactively to a broad range of external actors, including social media influencers, good will ambassadors and the private sector to build new alliances within the AoR in order to promote the protection of PoC.

- Manage preparation of contracts for artists, production companies, journalist, photographers etc.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).

- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Journalism, Communication

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential:

Not specified

Desirable:

Experience with event management. Demonstrated ability to work against tight deadlines.

Functional Skills

MS-Advocacy

CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video )

CO-Multimedia storytelling

ER-External Relations in UNHCR or other humanitarian agencies

EX-Experience in an international, decentralized and/or multinational environment

MG-Project Management

FR-Marketing

MG- Partnership Development

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile • Knowledge and experience of the working context of SO Mafraq such as working with refugees in camps and in host communities.

• Experience in communication, coordination, and liaison with external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience in leading/managing/overseeing teams, preferably in conducting external relations activities.

• Interpersonal skills such as empathy and ability to engage constructively with colleagues, partners, and government counterparts, and external interlocutors.

• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic operational environment is highly desirable

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, prioritizing tasks effectively under pressure.

• Excellent communication and writing abilities, with strong capacity for content production, adaptable to different audiences, formats, and styles.

• Excellent proficiency in speaking and writing in both English and Arabic language is essential.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Jordan is considered to be the most stable Arab country in the Levant area of the Middle East. Road traffic accidents remain a pertinent risk to staff. Vehicle travel is difficult at certain times due to adverse weather conditions, low visibility and/or heavy traffic.

Nature of Position:

The Mafraq Sub-Office oversees the Zaatari Refugee Camp, Raba’a Al Sarhan Transit Centre, and host communities across the Mafraq governorate, serving approximately 105,000 registered refugees. From April 2026, the Mafraq Sub-Office will also oversee Garden Camp and host communities across the Irbid, Ajloun, and Jerash governorate, serving an additional 83,000 some registered refugees.

The Senior External Relations Associate is closely supervised on issues concerning external relations and public information by the Head of Sub-Office, who gives regular guidance and advice. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff and support units in the Country Office and Sub-Office. The Senior External Relations Associate also functionally works closely and coordinates various related matters with the External Relations Unit in CO Amman. External contacts are generally with a broad range of officials from national and international institutions, media or general public on matters of importance to the Organization.

The Senior External Relations Associate supervises staff, including an interpreter and a photographer. S/he also closely works with other units, the UN and other international and local organizations to coordinate external missions, diplomats, other external delegates and media coverage for international and important local events. S/he will need to organize home visits and site visits in coordination with the concerned family or governmental department or organization or unit. The Senior External Relations Associate will contribute to raising awareness of UNHCR’s activities and priorities, the situation of refugees, donor visibility etc. - in line with the broader communications strategy of the external relations unit in the Jordan operation, including through gathering and creating content for digital and written channels.

Fundraising activities are an operational priority. The Senior External Relations Associate will support these efforts both by organizing and receiving diverse delegations for visits and by contributing content, both in written and digital channels. Delegation missions require the office to provide interagency briefings to donors and interactions with refugees to build trust and allow refugees to tell their stories. S/he must demonstrate good organization of time, an ability to organize self and others to take effective action and to integrate into planning a wide variety of stakeholders’ needs or interests.

The operational environment is dynamic, with a mix of office-based and field-based tasks within urban, rural, and camp settings. The position demands strong interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to work in a multi-functional team under sometimes challenging conditions.

Excellent proficiency in speaking and writing in both English and Arabic language is essential.

Living and Working Conditions:

Mafraq: Mafraq Governorate in Jordan is located 80 km to the north from the capital Amman with total population 549,948 . Mafraq is categorized as (B) duty station.

Accommodation average rent at Mafraq Governorate is between 450- 500 USD for unfurnished apartment and between 700-850 USD for furnished apartment depending on the size of the property itself and number of bedrooms.

Mafraq has cold semi-arid climate. Summers are long, hot, dry, and clear while the winters are cold, windy, and partly cloudy over the course of the year.

International schools are not available in Mafraq, most of the available schools are governmental with few private Arabic schools.

Advanced medical services are available in Mafraq, providing needed medium medical treatments to the population. However, critical medical situation treatment is referred to Amman. UNHCR has signed a frame agreement with Sara Specialty Hospital in Mafraq to treat UNHCR patients and their dependents.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

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Compendium

Additional InformationCandidates might undergo a written test

Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

JR2663252