Procedures and Eligibility Title : Senior External Relations Assistant
Project : UNHCR
Duty station : Quito, Ecuador
Section / Unit : Interagency Coordination Unit
Contract / Level : Local Support ICA, LICA 5 (USD 2.073)
Duration : From 15 August to 31 December 2022
Supervisor : Associate External Relations Officer, Ms. Benedetta Pignatti
a. Education
o Possess a bachelor s degree in Communication / Journalism, Social Science, International Law or
related field.
o Education / knowledge of fields related to Programme Management and Human Mobility will be an
b. Work Experience
o 3 years of relevant experience with University Degree or 4 years of relevant experience with High
School Diploma.
o Work experience in proposals and reports drafting.
o Work experience with social organizations, public sector institutions and / or international
organizations will be an asset.
o Experience with the refugee population or groups in a situation of vulnerability will be an asset. Duties and Qualifications Snr External Relations Assistant
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The External Relations Assistant normally functions under the direct supervision of a (Snr) External Relations Officer or another professional staff depending on staffing structure of the Office.
The incumbent assists in the management of external relations activities of the Office. Under the supervision of the manager, s / he provides support in organising visits of UNHCR senior management, foreign delegations, donors, press and media by contributing to the drafting of briefings and reports / materials for external partners.
S / he may also receive advice and operational support from the External Relations / Public Information Units at the Country Office / HQ.
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
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G5 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.
Certificates and / or Licenses
International Relations,Journalism, Political Science,
Law Media,
Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Desirable
Previous experience in UN / UNHCR. Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position.
Knowledge of another relevant UN language. HQ and Field experience with UNHCR or with other humanitarian organizations.
IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
TI-Interpretation
CO-Media monitoring and analysis
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.
Additional Information Shortlisted candidates will sit a technical test.
A) English is mandatory.
B) Foreign candidates, to be considered eligible for this position, must have a temporary or
permanent residence in Ecuador that allows them to carry out work activities in the country.
C) Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme
or as an intern is subject to proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, independently of
contract type and duration. The recommended candidate(s) will be required to provide the
proof of vaccination prior to recruitment.
See below for this postion's Operational Context
The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The
agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee
problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to
ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the
option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).
UNHCR has been in Ecuador since 2000. The operation in Ecuador is fundamentally driven to deliver
protection and solutions to a variety of persons of UNHCR s concern such as asylum-seekers, refugees,
and stateless in partnership and close collaboration with national authorities as well as non-governmental
organizations and communities. Particular attention and specific multi-faceted protection and assistance is
often provided within short timeframes and at times little resources in demanding operational environment.
The operation is coordinated at the national level by the country office in Quito. In addition, UNHCR has
Sub-Offices in Quito (Solanda), Ibarra and Guayaquil; Field Offices in Esmeraldas, Huaquillas, Tulcán,
Lago Agrio, and Field Units in Manta, Cuenca and Ambato.
Venezuelans arrive in Ecuador with increasing humanitarian needs, due to the precarious situation in their
country of origin and, to a large extent, as a result of challenges faced during their journey through
Colombia. Many do not have the resources to safely continue their onward journey. According to the multi sectoral needs assessment and UNHCR S protection monitoring, more than half are unable to meet their
basic needs, exposing them, among other things, to high levels of food insecurity, limited access to safe
water, sanitation and shelter, with many forced to sleep in public spaces.
A large proportion of Venezuelans arriving in Ecuador are in need of international protection and
assistance. Protection of the Venezuelans has become a priority, as part of an integral and coordinated
institutional response to the humanitarian crisis. Furthermore, the overall goal for UNHCR Ecuador is to
support the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in providing international protection for Refugees and asylum
seekers in Ecuador and to promote access of persons of concern to durable solutions in accordance with
their specific needs. In this context, the UNHCR Office in Ecuador requires support in the area of external
relations, fundraising and donor reporting.
Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The External Relations Senior Assistant is part of a small team that maintains proactive dialogue with
governmental donors or UN agencies and organizations, as well as with the regional and local donors
aiming at building relationships, raise awareness and mobilize financial support for UNHCR s work and
priorities.
The incumbent is under the direct supervision of the Associate External Relations Officer. S / he will have
regular exchanges with other staff in the operation and constant coordination with the interagency
coordination, public information, programme and protection unit, as well as with other colleagues in field
offices. Externally, the incumbent may have contacts with colleagues from the Regional Bureau based in
Panama and the Donor Relations and Resources Mobilization (DRRM) colleagues working at headquarter
in Geneva, for donors requirements, meetings and some reporting issues.
We are seeking a dynamic and proactive team player, with a strong interest in not-for-profit brand and
refugee issues to join a small team dedicated to External Relations in our country office, in Quito. The team
works to raise the profile of UNHCR, embeds the brand internally and works across UNHCR Bureaux,
divisions, sections, and the field to promote an integrated approach and to inspire engagement with the
brand strategy. The incumbent will work closely with the Associate External Relations Officer and other
members of the country office in Quito as well as in the field locations. Liaising with UNHCR s wider internal
network s / he will support the reporting and fundraising activities, preparing concept notes and proposals,
serving donors information needs on all aspects of UNHCR s work. UNHCR is an international
organization, and a large part of its work is in English, including the drafting of reports, project proposals
and other documents which will be part of the responsibilities of this position.
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. Closing Date 12 August 2022, 17h00 Ecuador time (13 August 2022, 00h00 Ecuador Time)
