Associate External Relations Officer

March 29, 2026

B

Family

PR2

Junior Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-01

Associate External Relations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Direct supervision is normally exercised by a (Snr) External Relations Officer or Representative who provides guidance on the applicable procedures. Advice may also be provided by relevant functional units at HQ. External contacts are with a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including inter alia, government, media, embassies, donors, UN agencies, NGOs and other national and international organizations, as well as general public on matters of importance to the Organization.

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
- 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.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
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.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified

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.

Functional Skills
CO-Drafting and Documentation
PS-Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes)
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
IT-Computer Literacy
IT-Web Content Management
(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.

This job is advertised in the frame of the JPO Programme and reserved exclusively for candidates with Dutch nationality (Netherlands).

Minimum qualification requirements for all Dutch funded JPOs:
• Candidates must have an advanced university degree at Master’s level in a study relevant to the advertised position and minimum 2 years relevant work experience after obtaining first university degree.
• In exceptional cases candidates with a Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of 4 years relevant working experience can be considered.
• Candidates who have already completed a JPO assignment cannot be considered.
• Candidates must be under the age of thirty-two (inclusive) years when applying.
• Work experience within the UN system should not exceed 1 year, including UNV, (paid) UN internship and UN consultancy.
• Working knowledge of English.
• The posting is outside the candidates’ country of origin.

Additional requirements for candidates from the Netherlands
• Candidates should have the Dutch nationality.
• Maximum age limit is 32 years as of 31 December of the year of application

In addition to the above requirements, all candidates should meet several supplementary criteria, such as:
• Be able to show their interest in international development cooperation.
• Preferably have working knowledge of a second official UN language next to English.


Desired qualifications:
• Previous experience in the humanitarian field, preferably in a refugee setting, and working in a politically complex context is highly advantageous.
• Exceptional organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks efficiently and effectively.
• The ability to adapt and be proactive in balancing independent work within the dynamic workflow of the team.
• Strong capability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external counterparts to contribute meaningfully to drafting and reporting requirements, while keeping track of key deadlines and dates.
• Proficient analytical skills to detect and propose potential contribution opportunities, both financial and non-financial partnerships.
• Experience in organizing multi-stakeholder events or practical/logistical skills to facilitate missions and meetings, especially with external counterparts.
• Knowledge of the Iran context, including regional and refugee situation, would be an advantage.
• Excellent drafting skills in English and ability to quickly proofread and edit documents. Design skills would be considered an advantage.

Please be reminded that only nationals of the Netherlands will be considered for this position.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Islamic Republic of Iran has generously hosted forcibly displaced persons for over 40 years. Despite numerous challenges, and in the absence of equitable international responsibility sharing proportionate with the number of people being hosted, the country has upheld refugee-inclusive policies, ensuring continued quality access to essential public services, in particular including healthcare and education. In 2024, some 3.8 million people are recognized as refugees and refugee-like, making Iran the largest refugee-hosting country in the world.

Despite economic challenges, the Government of Iran has maintained its inclusive policies, enabling refugees and undocumented Afghans to access health and education services within the national system. UNHCR supports the Government through the provision of protection and humanitarian assistance for refugees and also contributes to enhancing national services, which benefit persons of concern and host communities in urban areas and in the 20 refugee settlements across the country.

Following the deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan in August 2021, UNHCR rapidly scaled up its operation in Iran to respond to the large number of Afghans seeking safety in the country. Despite challenges, Iran has maintained its inclusive approach, providing forcibly displaced Afghans access to healthcare and education within the national systems as well as livelihood opportunities. However, economic challenges and an increased refugee population are making it harder for the Government of Iran to sustain its support and amplified their calls for improved international solidarity and responsibility-sharing to better assist refugees.

In the absence of short to medium-term opportunities for durable solutions, the majority of Afghans in Iran will remain reliant on both external assistance and the continuation of inclusive policies extended by the Government of Iran in areas of health and education. Against this backdrop and in a domestic and wider context which is increasingly constrained and polarized, the most strategic ‘investment’ is through international responsibility-sharing with a focus on promoting social cohesion and resilience, using humanitarian-development nexus approaches. Initiatives to bolster the resilience of Afghans are particularly critical, promoting participatory and community-based empowerment approaches, which equip them with the tools to overcome challenging circumstances themselves.

UNHCR’s Iran operation is guided by the “Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees” (SSAR). The SSAR is the result of a quadripartite consultative process initiated in 2012 between Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and UNHCR to identify and implement lasting solutions for Afghan refugees in the region. The SSAR is a regional multilateral platform that offers a comprehensive and integrated framework for joint interventions aimed at facilitating voluntary return and sustainable reintegration, while at the same time assisting host countries. Denmark was one of the first countries to have joined the SSAR Support Platform core group established in 2020 to mobilize a diverse range of key stakeholders, galvanize political, financial, and technical support for the SSAR’s implementation, and raise visibility of the Afghan situation.

In the context of the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR), the planned response aligns to SSAR Pillar 3: Enhanced support for refugee-hosting communities, preserving protection space in host countries and third country solutions, and is in keeping with Denmark’s Membership and active participation in the Global Core Group of the SSAR Support Platform which serves to ‘galvanize structured regional coordination to increase political, financial, and technical support from existing and new partners for the SSAR’.

 The Refugee Response Plan (RRP) for the Afghanistan situation was first developed in 2021, initially as a 6-month Refugee Preparedness and Emergency Response Plan, to support a coordinated response to Afghan refugees seeking international protection in neighboring countries (Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan). Annual RRPs have subsequently been developed for 2022 and 2023 respectively, covering the whole of the refugee response in Iran and spanning the assistance spectrum. For 2024, a multi-year RRP was developed covering the period 2024-2025. The transition to a multi-year plan better aligns with the protracted situation of Afghans in Iran, helps contribute to more sustainable/longer-term outcomes, and lightens the planning and reporting process for partner organizations. In conjunction with RRP partners, UNHCR prioritizes the adoption of humanitarian-nexus approaches to Afghans displaced in Iran, particularly those in situations of protracted displacement. UNHCR supports the Government in maintaining its inclusive policies by strengthening health and education systems and service provision in refugee hosting areas.

In the spirit of international responsibility sharing embodied in the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), UNHCR acts as a catalyst and facilitator for the engagement of development actors on forced displacement; leverages the influence of development actors for protection and policy advocacy with governments; gradually links services for refugees with national systems; or expands support for self-reliance. As such, and especially in protracted refugee situations, UNHCR works towards reducing humanitarian needs while laying the foundation for long-term development, in a humanitarian-development nexus approach.

Living and Working Conditions:

UNHCR is present in Iran through its Country Representation in Tehran, three Sub-Offices (Mashhad, Kerman, Shiraz), a Field Office in Tehran, and two Field Units (Esfahan and Dogharoun).

Tehran is a B-category duty station (Family duty station).

Certain aspects of working/living conditions in Iran could be affected by the ongoing sanctions. Issuance of entry visa and residence permit for international staff and his/her dependents/family members is subject to the approval of the Government, for which the process can take 2-3 months. International staff and their family members residing in Iran are required to follow the cultural practices in Iran, which include the donning of culturally appropriate dress, particularly for women.

Iranian schools only teach subjects in Farsi. There are a few privately owned schools offering curriculums in English in Tehran. There are also some Embassy schools such as French Embassy School, and Italian Embassy offering courses in their native language. German Embassy School, in its international section, provides classes in English up to grade 8, which is open for any nationals. This school is a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programs KG1 to 5, but as of October 2022, no international schools in Iran offer IB curriculum.

Similarly, the Pakistan Embassy School and Indian Embassy School also offer courses in English, which however are open only to nationals of the respective countries. There can be changes regarding international schools in Iran and international staff members are constantly updated on the most recent developments.

In Tehran, pharmacies, shops, shopping malls, markets, cafes/restaurants, etc. are available. Staff can purchase basic commodities, groceries, household items, and clothing, while some foreign products / international food items may be less easily available or available with higher costs. Living costs in Tehran are on the rise with some 40% inflation rates annually. Iranian banks are available and accessible to foreign nationals through a required process. There are several hospitals and clinics offering medical services to Iranians and foreign nationals alike, although, at times the language can be a barrier for international staff who do not speak Farsi. Staff live in private accommodation – different options are available with varying rental prices.

There is one international airport and one domestic airport in Tehran and several cities around Iran. For in-country travel, there are multiple domestic flights and trains connecting Tehran to cities/towns across the country, including where UNHCR has offices. When required, the office also use road missions. Direct international flights are connected to a number of countries with several airlines.

The security situation in Iran remains stable despite recent events and the uptick in the confrontation with Israel after May 2024. The highest projected risk in Iran is assessed as "medium" (SRM). All UNHCR offices are located in the security area "central" and share the same levels of risk. You can find more about the security situation and protocols in Iran on  UN Department of Safety and Security page:

https://unsmin.dss.un.org/TRIP/TRIP-Introduction/TRIPFileDownload/Data/K3jet9mwnuNuiZHaxA9i5AIn30TLgwIE

There is significant air pollution in urban areas in almost all provinces in Iran. This is a risk mainly to those suffering from pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, children, pregnant women and the elderly. Tehran is one of the most air polluted cities in the world and has been ranked 12th among 26 megacities in terms of ambient PM10 levels.

For daily updates on the air quality in various locations within Tehran, please visit the website of Tehran Air Quality Control Company at http://airnow.tehran.ir/home/OnlineAQI.aspx

Living/working conditions in Iran could evolve and can be subject to change.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, Communication, ER-Donor Relationship Development and Management, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Web Content Management, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PS-Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes)

Bachelor of Arts: Communication, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Journalism, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Innovation & creativity, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance