Senior External Relations Associate

Deadline for ApplicationsMay 29, 2026

Hardship LevelH (no hardship)

Family TypeFamily

Residential location (if applicable)

GradeGS7

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service

ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date2026-07-01

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 Desirable Candidate profile

The ideal candidate is a politically aware external relations professional with experience in communications, advocacy, or partnerships within humanitarian, governmental, EU, or multilateral settings. Strong knowledge of the asylum and migration context in Cyprus is essential, including familiarity with national processes, public discourse, and institutional dynamics.

The candidate should demonstrate a solid understanding of refugee protection principles and, preferably, knowledge of EU asylum and migration frameworks. Excellent drafting and communication skills are required, including the ability to produce clear, concise materials such as briefings, reports, and talking points under tight deadlines.

The role requires strong interpersonal and representational skills, with the ability to engage effectively with government counterparts, EU institutions, diplomatic missions, civil society, and media. Experience managing sensitive external relationships in complex environments is an asset.

Candidates should demonstrate sound political awareness, discretion, and professional judgment, as well as the ability to identify opportunities for advocacy, partnerships, and visibility. Strong coordination skills and the ability to work across teams are important.

General Information

- Candidates must have the right to work in Cyprus. UNHCR is committed to diversity. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees). The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted. This position requires physical presence.

- Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

- UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

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

,Greek

,

Desired languagesTurkish

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

Nature of Position:

Cyprus plays an important role at the intersection of European Union asylum policy and Eastern Mediterranean migration dynamics. As a Member State receiving a comparatively high number of asylum applications per capita, the country is actively engaged in ongoing discussions and implementation efforts related to the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The operational environment is shaped by evolving mixed migration movements, including arrivals by sea and across the Green Line, as well as broader regional developments linked to the Middle East.

National authorities continue to address asylum and migration management within a complex policy environment, balancing domestic priorities, institutional capacity, and obligations under international and European law, while engaging with EU institutions and partners on shared approaches to migration governance.

UNHCR Cyprus operates in a visible and dynamic context, working closely with government counterparts, European Commission services, EUAA, diplomatic missions, civil society, and media. External engagement focuses on supporting constructive dialogue, strengthening public information, and promoting international protection standards, including access to asylum and safeguards for persons with specific needs.

Within this setting, the External Relations function contributes to strategic communications, partner engagement, and visibility efforts, supporting informed and balanced discussion on displacement issues and advancing UNHCR’s protection objectives in Cyprus.

Living and Working Conditions:

Nicosia, the capital city of Cyprus, is classified as a Category H duty station offering all amenities and high quality living conditions. The island of Cyprus is divided since 1974, UNFICYP maintaining a buffer zone between the lines of the Cyprus National Guard and of the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot forces. The Republic of Cyprus became a full member of the European Union in 2004 and adopted the Euro in 2008. The population of Cyprus is estimated at 1.1 million combined. The island is rich in culture, shaped over its 7,000 year-long history influenced both by the West and the East. The official languages are Greek and Turkish, with English also widely spoken by most locals. Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean and is frequented by tourists. Cyprus has a pleasant Mediterranean climate, enjoying year-round sunshine, with mild winters (mean daily minimum 5 C and maximum 13 C) and sunny, dry summers (mean daily minimum and maximum temperatures are 21 C and 36 C). Cyprus is in general a very safe environment to live and work in.

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 InformationThe recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted. This position requires physical presence.

Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

JR2666937