Associate External Relations Officer at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) works to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home. Since 1950, we have faced multiple crises on multiple continents, and provided vital assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people, many of whom have nobody left to turn to. We help to save lives and build better futures for millions forced from home.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Associate External Relations Officer

Job ID: JR2562315
Location: Abuja

Duties

• Stay abreast of the challenges posed by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform, and institutional developments in the area of forced displacement and humanitarian operations.
• Assist the implementation of a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR's operations from external partners (e.g. the general public, governments, partners, media, academia, NGOs, private sector and forcibly displaced and stateless persons).
• Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide relevant information on UNHCR operations and financial requirements by organizing regular briefings, bilateral meetings and missions and responding to donors¿ requests for information on ad hoc basis.
• Through a consultative process with headquarters, disseminate information on UNHCR's global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement programmes and projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for forcibly displaced and stateless persons in the country operation.
• Assist in the coordination of the drafting of, situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles.
• Draft narrative and financial reports on contributions in compliance with specific donor requirements.
• Monitor earmarking level of funding for UNHCR Country operation and ensure appropriate visibility for donor contributions in compliance with UNHCR guidelines and specific donor requirements.
• Participate on behalf of the Representative and other supervisors in inter-agency cooperation and communication strategies, initiatives and tools.
• Assist in the management of information flows within the country operations by identifying priority matters, securing, analyzing and disseminating documentation and information to support country operations and corporate communication processes and priorities.
• Consolidate information on UNHCR's country operations and identify appropriate messages for campaigns and appeals.
• Propose events and initiatives (e.g. commercial, cultural, political and sports) to promote the work of UNHCR and take action as appropriate.
• Support the management of media relations by, inter alia, responding to direct queries, publishing press releases, handling interview requests and organizing regular briefings and visits to country operations.
• Promote visibility of UNHCR's work and advocate for support for the forcibly displaced and stateless persons through providing inputs for social media and other web content.
• Organize missions to the field and press briefings for external parties as required.
• Implement all aspects of a communications strategy.
• Represent UNHCR on behalf of senior management in fundraising and communication priorities in inter-agency initiatives and fora.
• 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.

Requirements
Minimum Qualifications:

• For P2/NOB 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree
• Field(s) of Education: Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International Relations, Journalism, Communications or other relevant field.

Relevant Job Experience:
Essential:

• Experience in humanitarian operations in a field environment.
• Excellent knowledge of local institution, politics and culture.

Desirable:

• Fund-raising and programming/programme management experience.
• Experience of working with social media.

The ideal candidate must have a solid understanding of UNHCR's programming:

• S/he should have prior experience working in country operations supporting reporting and resource mobilization, a solid understanding of UNHCR’s key donors, and experience engaging with private sector partners.
• The candidate should have a proven track record of effectively supporting communication/PI activities and demonstrate creativity in producing engaging web and social media content that showcases the impact of UNHCR's work. Experience managing media is essential.
• S/he should have strong representation skills and the ability to speak on messages. Fluency in English is required.
• To foster diversity within the operation, including geographic diversity, candidates from underrepresented nationalities in the Nigeria operation are especially encouraged to apply.
• A written test may be administered for this position.

Application Closing Date
17th December, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online