ORGANISATIONAL SETTING AND WORK RELATIONSHIPS

The Senior External Relations/Communications Assistant will play a key role in the External Relations Unit of UNHCR’s Multi Country Office (MCO) in Canberra. The Office is responsible for the promotion of refugee protection and solutions in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific (Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu). The office also works on statelessness and engages a wide range of actors including government officials, parliamentarians, NGOs and civil society, other UN agencies and the international community (both humanitarian and development), private sector and other donors, and refugees and refugee-led organisations.

The contractor role is supervised by the External Relations Officer and will keep frequent contact with staff at various levels, with local suppliers, partners, NGOs, embassies and other UN agencies. The scope of work includes the fields of media relations, multimedia content production, managing the website and social media platforms and organising events and high-level visits.

DUTIES

 Support the implementation of the external engagement strategy and day to day running of the external relations unit.

• Monitor traditional and social media, alerting senior staff to significant developments, and maintaining systems and processes.  Assist in identifying opportunities to insert UNHCR’s messages into ongoing conversations, and moments for proactive communications.
• Maintain and update the MCO’s website.
• Conceptualise and develop digital content and manage platforms, including developing a posting plan and identify ways to maximise impact in line with strategic objectives.
• Coordinate local campaigns, such as for World Refugee Day.
• Develop fact sheets, stories and other content to highlight the Office’s objectives and work.
• Draft correspondence, briefing materials and regular reports.
• Assist in the management of public and media enquiries, including the PI inbox, and other systems.
• Facilitate high level visits as required, including drafting briefing materials.
• Organise events and liaise with partners, refugees and local communities.
• Ensure information materials are available and up to date, organising printing for hard copy and visibility materials.
• Perform other duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 Years of Experience / Degree Level:

• Minimum 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Certificates and/or Licenses:

• Journalism, Social Sciences, Humanities or related fields

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

• Fluency in English.

DESIRED CANDIDATE PROFILE

• At least 3-5 years’ experience in the external relations/communications field.

• Technological awareness and proficiency in a range of online platforms and apps, including content management systems for websites, social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn), graphics programs like Canva, Adobe Suite.
• High aptitude in use of Microsoft office software.

• Experience updating websites and in producing web and social media content.
• Experience with media monitoring.
• Excellent drafting skills covering a range of communications styles, audiences and content.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability to work autonomously and to collaborate with other team members.  Proactive in problem-solving.
• Experience implementing communications strategies.
• Sound understanding of UNHCR’s mandate and its role as a United Nations agency; knowledge of and/or demonstrated interest in asylum or refugee protection. 
• Fluency in English.

Desirable:

• Studies in communications, journalism, international relations or social science preferred.
• Previous experience in external relations/communications in humanitarian setting.
• Skills and experience in email marketing software, graphic design and/or multimedia editing. 

Candidates must be Australian citizens or permanent residents with full-time work rights on the closing date of the vacancy. 

UNHCR contractors will need to take out insurance coverage through Cigna Insurance plan.

COMPETENCIES

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Innovation & creativity, Organisational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

• ER-Communications/media/digital/social media communications. monitoring/analysis/presentation

• CO-Editing
• CO-Drafting and Documentation
• CO-Digital content production