UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency’s, Emergency Preparedness and Response Section (EPRS) of the Division of Information Systems and Telecommunications (DIST) is responsible for providing IT emergency support, guidance, and coordination to Regional Bureaux and Country Operations globally. Within its area of responsibility, EPRS also implements the Refugee Emergency Telecommunications Sector (RETS) to leverage global partnerships to deliver connectivity services to the humanitarian community in refugee emergencies in the context of the Refugee Coordination Model (RCM). To support country operations to deliver effectively in emergencies, UNHCR, Implementing Partners and the humanitarian community, under the RCM framework convene to share the weight of responsibility through a coordinated response to emergencies and distribution of resources.
The demand for technology as a critical enabler is ever increasing as it supports UNHCR’s mandate in the delivery of protection and assistance services, in particular in emergency situations. Within the context outlined above, the role of the Partnerships and Advocacy Consultant is to develop the roadmap for, and facilitate the IT Division’s engagement and cooperation with multiple private and public sector partners currently implementing or who have the potential to advocate for and implement short- and medium-term IT programmes assisting UNHCR personnel and humanitarian actors responding to a crisis.
Reporting to the Chief of the IT Emergency Preparedness and Response Section (EPRS), the Partnerships and Advocacy Consultant will be responsible for developing and implementing the strategy that will provide the framework for targeting, sustaining, and developing IT partnerships with private and public sector entities.
The Consultant will be responsible for the following:
- Partnership Strategy Development
• Undertake research and partner mapping exercises in close collaboration with UNHCR DIST Field Support & Emergency Management to identify common areas where technology partnerships can meet current operational requirements.
• Collaborate closely with relevant units within UNHCR, including Private Sector Partnerships (PSP), Donor Relations and Resource Mobilization Service (DRRM) and communications teams to ensure that partnership discussions are directed through the appropriate channels.
• Act as the focal point, liaising with the Division of Emergency, Supply and Safety (DESS) for drafting and providing input to strategic partnership agreements, liaising with relevant internal parties such as PSP, Legal Affairs Service, as required. - Advocacy and Communication
• Maximize visibility for IT as an enabler in emergencies by pursuing joint communications opportunities arising from interactions with existing and prospective partners, working closely with Communications Officers to develop internal and external impact pieces.
• Ensure that partners are provided knowledge and data to influence their humanitarian support programmes, highlighting the impact on the delivery of UNHCR’s mandate.
• In collaboration with IT Emergency Coordinators, develop projects aimed at increasing engagement of existing partners to ensure that their contributions are meeting the needs in the field.
• Represent EPRS in relevant fora to advocate for technology as an enabler for the delivery of UNHCR’s core mandate. - Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Reporting
• Develop a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework to measure the impact of partner support, ensuring that indicators are communicated to partners through regular reporting and other means, and are tracked and recorded internally in the appropriate repositories.
• Establish clear protocol to enhance internal and external reporting, tying into Results Frameworks and existing reporting mechanisms where required.
Qualification and experience required (degree required, years of work experience, field of expertise, language required):
Education:
• Master’s Degree in Development Studies, Marketing/Business Administration, or a related field. At least 5 years of experience working within the humanitarian programs, partnerships or operations sectors.
Required experience and skills:
• Experience in UNHCR, other UN Agency or international organization.
• Experience in drafting and editing, in particular on technology strategies, advocacy strategies, or partnership strategies.
• Experience in managing a variety of internal and external relationships in a cross-cultural professional environment.
• Proven experience in advocacy with government, private-sector and other institutions.
• Experience in primary data collection and results-based management.
• Strong analytical competencies and diplomatic leadership and management skills. Excellent inter-personal and communication skills.
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation, and results-based management tools.
Desirable skills and knowledge:
• Knowledge of core UN/UNHCR organizational frameworks such as the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• High level awareness of IT Emergency Telecommunications actors such as the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and other partners.
• Experience in coordination of UN interventions with other actors, in a refugee, humanitarian or development context.
Conditions:
Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
This vacancy is open for applicants residing in Denmark as well as for those residents of other countries. The remuneration level and the applicable entitlements and benefits may be different based on the residence of the most suitable selected candidate.