External Relations Associate
Target Start Date
30/08/2024
Expected End Date
31/12/2024
Type
Onsite
Mission and objectives
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people.
Context
UNHCR started operating in Bulgaria in 1993 based on an agreement with the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria. UNHCR protects people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution by responding with life-saving support, safeguarding fundamental human rights, and helping them build a better future. Since 24 February 2022, the Government of Bulgaria granted Temporary Protection to more than 170,000 persons refugees displaced from Ukraine, of whom some 56,000 remain in the country as of 1 January 2024. Several thousand refugees from Ukraine are hosted under the state sponsored accommodation programme, including hotels and state recreational facilities located predominantly in the Black Sea regions and other locations throughout the country. UNHCR as a refugee-led organization supports the Government of Bulgaria in providing response to the Ukrainian refugee situation and ensuring protection and inclusion space is provided to them. UNHCR conducts various types of assessments among the refugees from Ukraine to assess their needs, capacities, and coping mechanisms and identify those with specific needs to ensure their access to specialized services. Some of these activities are implemented directly by the Agency, with others implemented through partner agencies or service providers.
Task description
External Relations Associate will support the UNHCR External Relations Unit in Bulgaria to implement robust resource mobilization and communications strategies to lead the narrative, generate empathy, mobilize action for forcibly displaced and stateless people, and to inform, engage, and mobilize donor support.
He/She will be based in Sofia, but can undertake field missions together with other UNHCR staff or independently to accompany UNHCR, donor missions, partners, and to support the implementation of a resource mobilization strategy and coordinate communications priorities.
The main tasks and responsibilities of the UN Volunteer Specialist who will support the UNHCR Bulgaria External Relations Unit under the supervision of the Head of Unit:
– Draft and translate routine correspondence and texts, operational updates, fact sheets, briefing notes and briefing packs, and other public information materials, as required.
– Provide technical, logistical, programming, and procurement support to the External Relations Unit.
– Assist in the compilation of weekly, monthly, annual/quarterly thematic reports, situations reports, etc.
– Draft, coordinate, and support the development of project and funding proposals to donors.
– Facilitate visits and missions, including internal and external donor missions.
– Assist with developing strategies and work plans and in the implementation of UNHCR’s external relations priorities.
– Coordinate on brand correct visibility and ensure appropriate donor visibility.
– Organize visibility events and liaise with partners, refugees, and local communities on implementation.
– Provide information on UNHCR’s activities to external partners.
– Perform other related duties as required.
Required experience
3 years of experience in the fields of Communications, Journalism, International affairs, Social Sciences, Humanities, or related fields is an advantage.
•Excellent communication skills and ability to communicate patiently and respectfully with a broad range of individuals including persons with specific needs.
•Excellent drafting skills in English and Bulgarian.
•Strong interpersonal skills, cultural competency, problem solving abilities.
•Good listening and observation skills to understand and obtain information.
•Good data analysis and management skills.
•Good ICT skills and digital literacy.
•Experience handling confidential data and demonstrated understanding of different data collection methodologies.
•Ability to work with tight deadlines, and ability to work in a team.
•Candidate must have a valid work permit in Bulgaria.
•Fluency in Arabic, Russian/Ukrainian, Farsi/Pashto or French is an advantage.
•Bachelor’s degree or higher is an advantage.
Area(s) of expertise
Administration, Communication, Social work
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Bulgarian, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in communications, administration, international affairs, social work, management, and other relevant fields.
Competencies and values
• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Team work
Living conditions and remarks
The UN Volunteer will be expected to travel to the field, particularly to areas of high presence of refugees. He/she will be responsible for his/her own accommodation but will be eligible for daily allowance in accordance with relevant policy. This assignment requires full-time engagement (8 hours/5 days).
The UN Volunteer will be responsible for his/her accommodation. The contract lasts for the period indicated above with the possibility of extensions subject to the availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.
The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment, and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service.
Monthly Living Allowance (per month): BGN 2635
Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 400
Exit allowance: : BGN 219.65 for each month served, paid on completion of the contract
Please note that the amounts can vary according to fluctuations in exchange rates.
Medical and life insurance:
• Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible dependents will receive UNV-provided medical insurance coverage.
• Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment.
Leave entitlements:
• Annual leave: UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment.
• Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period.
• Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle.
• Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.
You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.
The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds
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