Senior External Relations Assistant

November 19, 2026

A (least hardship)

Family

GS5

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2027-01-01

Senior External Relations Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior External Relations Assistant normally functions under the direct supervision of 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. He/she plays a key role in organising the visits of foreign delegations, donors, press and media, providing regular briefings and drafting reports/materials for external partners. He/she 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
- Draft briefing notes, press releases, bulletins, reports, newsletters and prepare any other public information material, as required
- Facilitate and accompany visits of foreign delegations, partner NGOs, donors and the media to refugee camps
- Draft and translate routine correspondence and texts.
- Assist with developing and implementing UNHCR's social media strategy conceptualize and pitch stories for UNHCR's global website.
- Ensure that public information materials including fact sheets, information brochures, briefing materials from the Branch Office, etc. are available.
- Organize visibility events (e.g. World Refugee Day) and liaise with partners, refugees and local communities on implementation.
- May be required to assist in compilation of weekly, monthly, annual/quarterly thematic reports, situations reports etc.
- Review media daily and ensure the office is kept informed of local developments.
- Provide information on UNHCR's activities to external partners.
- Respond to non-complex media queries and incoming correspondence.

- 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 G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Relations, Journalism Political Science
Communication Media
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

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

Functional Skills
TI-Interpretation
IT-Computer Literacy
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.

The ideal candidate should demonstrate proven experience in external relations and/or inter-agency coordination, including engagement with UN entities, government counterparts, civil society organizations, and other external partners. Experience supporting coordination processes is essential, including the preparation and follow-up of meetings, consolidation of inputs from multiple stakeholders, drafting of meeting records and background materials, and monitoring the implementation of agreed actions. The candidate should also possess strong drafting and analytical skills, with the ability to prepare briefing notes, reports, correspondence, presentations, and other materials for both internal and external audiences, as well as synthesize information from multiple sources. Experience supporting partnerships and stakeholder engagement, maintaining regular liaison with external counterparts, and facilitating information exchange between organizational units and partner organizations is highly desirable. Fluency in Portuguese and English is required, including the ability to draft high-quality written products and communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

The following qualifications and experiences would be considered strong assets for the position. Candidates with experience supporting inter-agency processes within the United Nations, humanitarian, development, or human rights systems, including coordination frameworks, joint planning exercises, and collective reporting initiatives, are particularly encouraged to apply. Experience contributing to planning, preparedness, contingency planning, policy dialogue, implementation, or reporting related to UN or other international commitments would be advantageous. Familiarity with engagement strategies involving civil society, community-based organizations, and refugee-led organizations, particularly those aimed at strengthening participation in institutional and coordination mechanisms, would also be beneficial. Additional desirable qualifications include experience contributing to donor briefings, joint advocacy efforts, resource mobilization initiatives, and collaboration with information management, programme, or other technical functions to consolidate and analyse information for external reporting and decision-making. Working knowledge of Spanish would be an asset given the position’s regular engagement with regional and international counterparts.

English

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Portuguese

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Nature of Position:

Brazil hosts an expansive and diverse refugee population, more than 1 Million individuals requiring international protection. The country serves as a vital entry point for refugees primarily from Venezuela, entering through the state of Roraima, and from countries such as Afghanistan, Haiti, Syria, and Ukraine, arriving via humanitarian visas through São Paulo international airport. There has been a notable increase in the number of Cuban asylum-seekers, highlighting Brazil's evolving refugee demographics.

UNHCR collaborates closely with the Brazilian government alongside civil society, academia, private sector, and development actors, to facilitate access to basic rights and promote socio-economic integration for refugees. This includes bolstering national and local policies for receiving, protecting, and integrating refugees and other individuals in need of protection. UNHCR's protection efforts extend across the country, targeting vulnerable groups such as survivors of gender-based violence, indigenous populations, and unaccompanied children.

Despite Brazil's robust legal framework granting refugees equal rights and unrestricted access to public services, practical challenges remain. Refugees face barriers such as language differences, limited local service capacity, and status-specific impediments affecting their full economic participation. National strategies like Operation Welcome address these challenges, setting standards for reception and assistance, and facilitating relocation across Brazil to foster integration, particularly for the Venezuelan population.

Special attention is required for indigenous refugees from Venezuela, who experience significant socio-economic integration obstacles. Tailored initiatives are essential to support their transition from emergency shelters while respecting cultural rights.

With the recent influx of Afghan refugees, particularly following the humanitarian visa policy, the local systems in São Paulo are adapting to manage increased arrivals and new community dynamics. Similarly, the growing Cuban refugee population poses challenges requiring UNHCR's continued support in documentation and integration.

The Multi-Year Multi-Partner Strategy for Brazil (2026–2029) aims to enhance local integration as a priority, leveraging Brazil's leadership in refugee protection to fortify access to rights through the forthcoming National Policy on Migration, Asylum, and Statelessness. However, challenges such as housing precarity, organized crime vulnerabilities, and socio-economic barriers for women and girls remain significant obstacles that need addressing to ensure successful integration.

UNHCR's vision is that by 2029, forcibly displaced and stateless people in Brazil will enjoy a safe, inclusive, and sustainable environment, with fully protected rights and pathways to self-reliance and societal integration.

The Senior External Relations Assistant will be based in Brasília and will support the Office's external relations, partnerships and inter-agency engagement. In addition to the external relations functions reflected in the standard Job Description, the operational context requires close engagement with UN entities, government counterparts, civil society organizations and other partners in support of UNHCR's protection, solutions and advocacy priorities.

 

The incumbent will support UNHCR's participation in relevant inter-agency and UN coordination processes, including through the preparation and follow-up of coordination meetings, consolidation of inputs, drafting of briefing and reporting materials, maintenance of coordination tools and liaison with relevant internal and external counterparts. The position will also contribute to joint planning and reporting processes, preparedness and contingency-related work, and the monitoring of relevant commitments and agreed actions.

 

Working closely with Programme, Protection, Information Management and other relevant colleagues, the incumbent will help consolidate and analyse information for advocacy, partnerships and resource mobilization purposes. The role will also support engagement with civil society, including refugee-led and community-based organizations, with a view to strengthening their participation in relevant institutional and inter-agency processes.

 

The incumbent may further support donor and partner briefings, visits, joint initiatives and other external engagement activities, and contribute to the preparation of background notes, reports, presentations, correspondence and information materials for external audiences.

Living and Working Conditions:

Brasília, the capital of Brazil, is classified as A family duty station and offers a high standard of living compared to many locations in the region. As the seat of the Federal Government and host to numerous embassies, international organizations, and UN agencies, the city provides a stable and professional working environment. 

The city has well-developed infrastructure, including reliable utilities, internet connectivity, public transportation, and access to a wide range of commercial and banking services. Housing is readily available, with options ranging from apartments in the city center to family homes in residential neighborhoods. Rental prices vary depending on location and size but are generally higher in central areas. 

Brasília offers high-quality healthcare through both public and private facilities. Several internationally recognized hospitals and medical centers are available, and a wide range of specialists can be accessed. International and bilingual schools are also available, making the city suitable for staff members relocating with family. 

The security situation is generally stable. As in any large urban center, standard security precautions are recommended, particularly regarding personal belongings and movement in certain areas after dark. However, Brasília is considered safer than many other major Brazilian metropolitan areas. 

The climate is tropical savanna, characterized by a dry season from May to September and a rainy season from October to April. Temperatures remain generally mild throughout the year, typically ranging between 15°C and 30°C. 

The working environment is professional and multicultural, with frequent interaction among government institutions, diplomatic missions, international organizations, civil society, and development partners. English, Portuguese, and Spanish are commonly used within the international community. 

Brasília offers a good quality of life, with extensive green spaces, recreational facilities, cultural events, restaurants, and sports opportunities. The city's unique architecture, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, contributes to a pleasant living environment and a strong sense of community among expatriates and national staff. 

Overall, Brasília provides comfortable living conditions, reliable services, quality healthcare and education, and a conducive environment for both professional and family life. 
 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, TI-Interpretation

Certifications

Communication - Other, International Relations - Other, Journalism - Other, Media - Other, Political Science - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance