job Description

The Associate External Relations Officer (AERO) will play a crucial role in optimizing funding for UNHCR's operations, focusing on both traditional and new donor countries, private sector engagement, and leveraging development funding streams. The AERO is expected to bring strategic vision, experience in government fundraising, familiarity with the private sector and development finance, and the creativity needed to revamp UNHCR's communication approach in Zimbabwe. Strong communication skills, analytical abilities, and political awareness are essential for success in this role.

Duties and Responsibilities

-Stay informed about political, humanitarian, and institutional developments related to forced displacement and humanitarian operations.
-Implement a communications strategy to garner support for UNHCR's operations from external partners, including the general public, governments, media, NGOs, and private sector entities.
-Engage in dialogue with donors and embassies, providing relevant information on UNHCR operations and financial requirements through briefings, meetings, and missions.
-Disseminate information on UNHCR's global funding situation and mobilize additional funds for programs aimed at enhancing protection for persons of concern.
-Coordinate the drafting of reports, briefing notes, background material, press releases, and articles.
-Monitor earmarking levels of funding for UNHCR Country operation and ensure appropriate visibility for donor contributions.
-Participate in inter-agency cooperation and communication strategies, initiatives, and tools.
-Manage information flows within country operations, identifying priority matters and disseminating documentation to support communication processes.
-Propose events and initiatives to promote UNHCR's work, taking appropriate action.
-Support media relations, responding to queries, publishing press releases, and organizing briefings and visits.
-Promote visibility of UNHCR's work through 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.
-Identify and manage risks, seizing opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility.
-Perform other related duties as required.