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Family Type
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Reason
Regular > Regular AssignmentTarget Start Date
Standard Job Description
Senior External Relations Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior External Relations Officer normally reports to the Representative or Deputy Representative. The incumbent has direct supervisory responsibility for External Relations staff.
External contacts are predominantly with partners, media, government, embassies and other international organizations in the country 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.
- Through a consultative process with UNHCR colleagues (Programme, Protection, etc.) with external actors and partners, develop and implement protection and assistance strategy, with clearly articulated objectives, timelines and outputs.
- Implement a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR's operations from external partners (e.g. the general public, governments, partners, the media, academia and forcibly displaced and stateless persons).
- Articulate all issues pertaining to the needs of the forcibly displaced and stateless persons and the strategies in place to respond to their needs.
- Ensure that the UNHCR priorities are given adequate weight in the documentation of the UN Country Team.
- Maintain a close dialogue with and provide accurate information to donors by organizing regular briefings, bilateral meetings and donor missions. Prepare reports as appropriate.
- In accordance with the operational context and in close cooperation with headquarters, access new and non-traditional funding sources, as appropriate, including private sector and humanitarian pooled/basket funds (e.g. Central Emergency Response Fund, Human Security Fund).
- Through a consultative process with headquarters, disseminate information on UNHCR's global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement special projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for forcibly displaced and stateless persons in the country operation.
- Participate in inter-agency cooperation and communication strategies, initiatives and tools.
- Support senior management in representing UNHCR in the UN Country Team and other UN coordination fora.
- Support, and participate in, local UN integrated missions, Inter-Agency Standing Committee, Emergency Relief Coordinator and Cluster communication strategies and initiatives.
- Manage the information flow 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.
- Coordinate the drafting of, and/or draft, situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles.
- Develop targeted communications strategies and media packages for situations and/or activities that require focused attention.
- Identify and target major events and initiatives (e.g. commercial, cultural, political and sports) to promote the work of UNHCR.
- Manage media relations by, inter alia, responding to direct queries, publishing press releases and organizing regular briefings and visits to country operations.
- Approve fund-raising messages.
- Approve any relevant expenditure for the implementation of fund-raising activities.
- Decide which donors to approach and which operations or activities to prioritize for special fundraising appeals.
- Approve the communications strategy.
- Approve budgets and expenditures for communications activities.
- Clear external relations/communication products and tools.
- Represent UNHCR fund-raising and communication priorities in inter-agency initiatives and fora.
- Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Political Sciences; Social Sciences; International Relations;
Journalism; 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
Good knowledge of UNHCR operations both at Headquarters and in the Field.
Fund-raising and programming/programme management experience.
Experience of working with social media.
Functional Skills
IT-Web Content Management
IT-Computer Literacy
ER-Inter-Agency External Relations
ER-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination
CO-Drafting and Documentation
(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
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Candidates are encouraged to consult the eTA platform for official information on security and general conditions in Cameroon, in line with mission guidelines
The UNHCR Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Yaoundé oversees operations in Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, and the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville), operating in a complex environment shaped by internal displacement, large refugee populations, and mixed migration flows. In Cameroon, the operation supports over a million internally displaced persons, primarily in the Far North, North-West, and South-West regions, alongside refugees mainly from the Central African Republic and Nigeria. The MCO also undertakes strategic protection and advocacy activities in the other countries under its mandate.
The office develops and implements external engagement, communication, and fundraising strategies to strengthen partnerships, mobilize resources, and promote public advocacy. Fundraising is a critical component, with the MCO actively engaging both traditional and non-traditional donors, translating operational priorities into targeted funding proposals, cultivating long-term partnerships, and ensuring resources are mobilized efficiently to support emergency response and longer-term protection and solutions programs.
The operational context is shaped by security and access constraints as well as emerging opportunities linked to the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. Political awareness, adaptability, and strategic external messaging are key to supporting the MCO’s public positioning, partnerships, and resource mobilization efforts, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and effectiveness of UNHCR’s protection and solutions strategies across the office’s area of responsibility.
Cameroon is a family duty station with a relatively calm, though occasionally volatile, political environment. The climate is tropical, with two rainy seasons—April to May and September to October—and an average temperature of 25°C. Most international staff reside in neighborhoods such as Bastos and Golf, which are located about 10 to 15 minutes from the UNHCR office. Travel times may vary slightly due to school traffic. While having a personal vehicle is useful for commuting and errands, reliable alternatives such as taxis and the Yango ride-hailing app are widely used, with fares ranging from 500 to 5,000 XAF (approximately $1 to $8), depending on the distance. The office may assist with access to UN plates if needed.
Housing options in Yaoundé are varied, with one- to three-bedroom apartments available across the city. Monthly rents typically range from 400,000 to 1,200,000 XAF (approximately $670 to $2,000), depending on location and amenities. Electricity and water are generally available, and most residences and hotels are equipped with backup generators and water storage systems to manage occasional outages.
Staff are advised to complete all required medical formalities before arrival and to bring adequate medical supplies. Vaccinations required or recommended include yellow fever (mandatory), COVID-19, polio, rabies, tetanus/diphtheria, MMR, and malaria prophylaxis. UN staff have access to a fully operational UN medical clinic during office hours, and several reputable health facilities are available in the city.
The average monthly cost of living for international staff is around $2,000, excluding car-related expenses. With a vehicle, costs may increase due to fuel and maintenance. Fresh produce is seasonal but generally available, and staple goods are accessible in supermarkets. Yaoundé offers a variety of reasonably priced restaurants with good hygiene standards. In more remote areas, food quality and hygiene may vary, and availability of certain items may be limited or seasonal. Standard precautions are advised when eating out, such as avoiding raw salads, drinking bottled water, and ensuring meat is thoroughly cooked. Minor stomach upsets are common and should be expected at some point
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Competencies
Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaborationUNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional Information
Functional clearance