External Relations Associate

December 1, 2025

Grade

GS6

General Service

Reason

Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment

A (least hardship)

Family

2026-01-12

2026-12-31

Standard Job Description

External Relations Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The External Relations Associate is normally supervised by the External Relations Officer or another professional staff depending on the staffing structure of the Office. The incumbent receives regular guidance and advice from the supervisor. Advice and operational support may also be received from other senior staff and support units at the Country Office/HQ.
External contacts are generally with a broad range of officials from national and international institutions, media or general public involving the exchange of a wide range of information.

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
- Provide background briefings to local and international media.
- Keep track of evolving issues concerning persons of concern to be able to suggest stories and topics for the media to cover.
- Provide daily briefings on local developments to the Head of Office and ensure that briefing materials from other offices are available.
- Accompany visits of foreign delegations and the media to refugee sites in the region, giving appropriate briefings, commentaries and prepare briefing material for visitors.
- Establish contacts with local organisations to promote general interest and understanding of refugee issues
- Ensure that the office is kept informed of local developments which may have a political or operational impact on the office's activities.
- May be required to compile information and SitReps received from the Field Offices and/or sections within the Office and consolidate into weekly/monthly/quarterly report.
- Advise the Head of Office of local aspects of external relations policies.
- Liaise with external partners and local organizations on behalf of UNHCR.
- Produce reports and briefings for internal and external partners.

- 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 G6 - 3 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 Sciences Social Sciences International Relations
Journalism Communication
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.

Functional Skills
IT-Web Content Management
CO-Drafting and Documentation
TI-Interpretation
IT-Computer Literacy
(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.

The desirable candidate would be characterized as follows:
- Excellent oral and written English
- Demonstrated experience in liaising for a humanitarian organization with donors or for a donor with humanitarian organizations
- Experience in public-facing reporting for a humanitarian or development entity
- Attention to detail
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Proficient in Korean.

The External Relations Associate should be able to:
- act as KOICA Focal Point to further deepen collaboration with Korean partners and support the overall coordination of KOICA-funded UNHCR activities in close communication with relevant colleagues;
- analyse the environment and stakeholders;
- strategically plan and organize his/her work against tight deadlines.
- Prior experience of managing and/or supporting KOICA projects is an asset


Operational Context:

The Government of the Republic of Korea (RoK) is a strategic partner to UNHCR with its first ever financial contribution to UNHCR made in 1979. As a former aid recipient country and now a significant ODA provider, the Korean Government has made a remarkable progress in streamlining the development cooperation and by successfully expanding the volume of humanitarian assistance over the past few years. The Republic of Korea joined the UNHCR’s USD 20 Million Club in 2016 and has maintained its membership ever since.

UNHCR Korea’s External Relations Unit is comprised of two national staff (NOB/External Relations Officer, G-5 Senior External Relations Assistant). The External Relations Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Associate External Relations Officer, to carry out the specific functions detailed below:

- Liaise closely with external partners and key stakeholders on behalf of UNHCR to further promote UNHCR’s core mandate and advocacy activities

- Produce reports, operational updates, and briefing notes in compliance UNHCR’s communication guideline

- Coordinate the management of NGO relations in line with strategic directions as well as in compliance with donor’s requirements

- Contribute to the preparations of relevant events and forums, and other platforms and liaise with the authorities and NGOs partners, as appropriate


Additional information:

Candidates are expected to have the right to work in RoK. UNHCR does not facilitate the obtaining of the visa for recruitment.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Korean

,

English

,

,

,

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Web Content Management, TI-Interpretation

Education

High school diploma (Required)

Certifications

Communication - Other, International Relations - Other, Journalism - Other, Political Science - Other, Social Sciences - Other

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