Senior External Relations Assistant

Deadline for Applications

July 18, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA5

Target Start Date

2026-09-21

Terms of Reference

The Senior External Relations Assistant is part of the External Relations Unit, comprised of the External Relations, Reporting, and PI/Comms teams.

The position reports directly to the External Relations Officer, which heads the unit. As in integral part of the ER Unit, the Senior External Relations Assistant will be expected to support the Reporting and PI/Comms teams, as needed. Fluency in English is a must.

The desired candidate should have:

- At least two years of previous experience in External Relations, preferably in an international organization.

- Demonstrated experience in preparing project proposals.

- Strong writing and speaking skills in English and Spanish; (B2 minimum for English, native Spanish).

- Experience drafting internal and external documents such as briefing notes/talking points, fact sheets, operational updates, etc.

- Demonstrated experience organizing field visits and bilateral meetings.

- Experience monitoring and ensuring visibility for donors (i.e. Japan, EU, Canada, USA).

- Experience in the planning and execution of events.

- Excellent reporting skills (i.e. donor reporting, database management, or similar).

- Experience in refugee, mixed movements, and development settings is highly desirable.

- Experience with social media publications would be an asset.

- Experience working with private donors would be an asset.

- Excellent interpersonal skills, strong coordination, organization and communication skills.

- Ability to work both independently and in teams.

Person interested in applying for this position should be legally present in the country at the time of application, recruitment, and appointment.

Please note that this position will be located at Lima, Peru on presential modality and is offered as a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA / UNOPS) until the end of the year. Extension is subject to operational needs, budget, and performance.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified and might be requested to sit a test.

No late applications will be considered.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision, or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).

The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.

Standard Job Description

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.

Required Languages

English

,

,

Desired Languages

Spanish

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Education

Certifications

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

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No