Associate External Relations Officer

(Brief description of the national, sector-specific or other relevant context in which the individual contractor will operate)

As of 1 January 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) hosts 604,000 refugees and asylum seekers, as well as more than 6.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), mainly located in the provinces of Ituri, Kasai, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika. As lead of the Protection Cluster, UNHCR continues to play a key role in supporting the Government of the DRC in implementing durable solutions strategies aimed at breaking cycles of protracted displacement across the country.

The Bunia Field Office provides protection and assistance to South Sudanese refugees in Ituri and Haut-Uele provinces through an integrated service delivery approach aimed at promoting the self-reliance of persons of concern and advancing alternatives to camps policies. In collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees (CNR) and implementing partners, the Office operates in four refugee sites, namely Bele, Meri, Biringi, and Adumi, the latter having been established following new influxes from South Sudan in December 2025. The Office also pays particular attention to thousands of refugees living within host communities along the border, who continue to face significant security risks, food insecurity, and limited access to basic social services.

In addition, the Office leads the Protection, Shelter/NFI, and CCCM Clusters, supporting approximately 927,743 displaced persons, underscoring the scale and persistence of displacement across the province. Ongoing insecurity in Ituri has undermined efforts to preserve the civilian character of displacement sites due to the infiltration of armed elements and weak local governance structures. The fragmentation of non-state armed groups (NSAGs) has limited the impact of peace initiatives, while persistent insecurity continues to restrict humanitarian access, disrupt essential services, and hamper economic recovery. As lead agency for the CCCM Cluster, and in the context of the ongoing integration of Shelter/NFI and HLP coordination structures, UNHCR coordinates site management, shelter, housing, land and property, and protection activities aimed at safeguarding displaced populations.

Given the operational complexity and the scale of displacement in Ituri, the position requires a dynamic professional capable of strengthening external relations, enhancing strategic communication and visibility of the operation, supporting resource mobilization efforts, and reinforcing inter-agency coordination and advocacy on protection, shelter, site management, and durable solutions for displaced populations.

Associate External Relations Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
Direct supervision is normally exercised by a (Snr) External Relations Officer or Representative who provides guidance on the applicable procedures. Advice may also be provided by relevant functional units at HQ. External contacts are with a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including inter alia, government, media, embassies, donors, UN agencies, NGOs and other national and international organizations, as well as general public 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.
- Assist the implementation of a communications strategy that generates support for UNHCR's operations from external partners (e.g. the general public, governments, partners, media, academia, NGOs, private sector and forcibly displaced and stateless persons).
- Assist in the dialogue with donors and embassies and provide relevant information on UNHCR operations and financial requirements by organizing regular briefings, bilateral meetings and missions and responding to donors¿ requests for information on ad hoc basis.
- Through a consultative process with headquarters, disseminate information on UNHCR's global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement programmes and projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for forcibly displaced and stateless persons in the country operation.
- Assist in the coordination of the drafting of, situation reports, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles.
- Draft narrative and financial reports on contributions in compliance with specific donor requirements.
- Monitor earmarking level of funding for UNHCR Country operation and ensure appropriate visibility for donor contributions in compliance with UNHCR guidelines and specific donor requirements.
- Participate on behalf of the Representative and other supervisors in inter-agency cooperation and communication strategies, initiatives and tools.
- Assist in the management of information flows 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.
- Propose events and initiatives (e.g. commercial, cultural, political and sports) to promote the work of UNHCR and take action as appropriate.
- Support the management of media relations by, inter alia, responding to direct queries, publishing press releases, handling interview requests and organizing regular briefings and visits to country operations.
- Promote visibility of UNHCR's work and advocate for support for the forcibly displaced and stateless persons through providing inputs for social media and other web content.
- Organize missions to the field and press briefings for external parties as required.
- Implement all aspects of a communications strategy.
- Represent UNHCR on behalf of senior management in fundraising and communication priorities in inter-agency initiatives and fora.

- 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 P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International Relations, Journalism, Communications

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
Fund-raising and programming/programme management experience.
Experience of working with social media.

Functional Skills
CO-Drafting and Documentation
PS-Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes)
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
IT-Computer Literacy
IT-Web Content Management
(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.

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, IT-Web Content Management, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards), PS-Fundraising (incl. operations, programmes)

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Communication, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Journalism, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Work Experience

This position doesn't require a functional clearance