External Relations Assistant

April 17, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

FamilyIUNV International

2026-07-01The UNV will closely work with colleagues across all units at UNHCR MCO Almaty. Under this assignment, the UNV will support the team in preparing a variety of materials, such as briefing notes, factsheets, information brochures, and newsletters. The UNV will also assist with organizing events, collecting information, and supporting basic data analysis. Under the supervision of the manager, s/he will provide support in organising visits of UNHCR senior management, foreign delegations, donors, press and media by contributing to the drafting of briefings and reports/materials for external partners. The UNV will receive guidance from staff, gaining exposure to both communications and advocacy work. This role is designed for undergraduate students, providing hands-on learning, practical skills development, and insight into humanitarian work during the six-month assignment. The UNV will also have the opportunity to contribute to discussions, participate in team meetings, and observe coordination with partners and other UN agencies.

Under the direct supervision of External Relations, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
• Learn from team members about UN processes, protection standards, advocacy, and external relations, gaining practical experience in a UN operational environment.
• Support the drafting and release of a wide range of external and internal materials, including briefing notes, reports, factsheets, information brochures, newsletters, as required.
• Support the organization of visibility events, and liaise with colleagues and partners, to design and implement.
• Contribute to the planning and organization of events, workshops, and missions.
• Support day-to-day activities, including notetaking, and maintaining relevant resources or databases.
• Assist in compilation of weekly, monthly, annual/quarterly thematic reports, situations report, etc.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements:

Education: Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, International Relations, Journalism, Political Science, Law, Media

Required experience:
• International Relations, International human rights law, or
• Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Advertising, or
• Humanitarian, development, or social impact work
• Research, data collection, supporting events
• Protection of vulnerable populations, including forcibly displaced and stateless persons

Standard Job Description

External Relations Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The External Relations Assistant normally functions under the direct supervision of a (Snr) 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. Under the supervision of the manager, s/he provides support in organising visits of UNHCR senior management, foreign delegations, donors, press and media by contributing to the drafting of briefings and reports/materials for external partners. S/he 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
- Support the drafting of briefing notes, 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.
- Assist in the drafting and translation of routine correspondence and texts.
- Ensure that public information materials including fact sheets, information brochures, briefing materials from the Branch Office, etc. are available.
- Support the organization of 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.

- 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

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G4 - 1 year relevant experience with High School Diploma; or Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
International Relations, Journalism, Political Science,
Law 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
IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
TI-Interpretation
CO-Media monitoring and analysis
(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

Russian

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Media monitoring and analysis, IT-Computer Literacy, TI-Interpretation

Education

Certifications

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

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No