External Relations Specialist, Bogota, Colombia

General

Description of assignment title: External Relations Specialist

Assignment country: Colombia

Duty stations: Bogota

Work location: On UN premises

Expected start date: 09/12/2026

Duration: 12 months(with possibility of extension)Long-term benefits and allowances

Sustainable Development Goal: 17. Partnerships for the goals

Host entity: UNHCR

Modality: Onsite

Type: International

Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026

Work schedule: Full-time

Number of Assignments: 1

Details

Mission and objectives:

• UNHCR works to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home.
• Since 1950, UNHCR has provided support in the face of multiple crises globally, and provided vital assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people, many of whom have nobody left to turn to.
• UNHCR helps save lives and build better futures for millions forced from their homes.

Context:

• Colombia is a complex and dynamic humanitarian and peacebuilding context, marked by the coexistence of a long‑standing internal armed conflict, emerging violence dynamics, and significant mixed movements of refugees and migrants, particularly from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. UNHCR has been present in the country since 1997 and works closely with national and local authorities, communities and civil society to protect and find solutions for internally displaced persons, refugees, asylum‑seekers, returnees, stateless persons and host communities. The office operates through a central coordination structure and an extensive field presence in conflict‑ and violence‑affected territories, combining legal and policy work with community‑based protection, emergency response and support to inclusion in national systems.
• Within this setting, the External Relations Specialist will contribute to positioning UNHCR's protection and solutions agenda, ensuring that the voices and priorities of persons of concern are reflected in public information, advocacy and resource mobilization efforts. The assignment will involve drafting and editing external communications products, supporting donor reporting and visibility, contributing to events and campaigns, and helping to maintain partnerships with government counterparts, United Nations agencies, NGOs, the diplomatic community, private sector actors and the media.
• The Specialist will work as part of a diverse, multi‑functional team that values collaboration, initiative and creativity, and will interact regularly with programme, protection and field colleagues to generate compelling, evidence‑based narratives. The role offers an opportunity to gain first‑hand experience of UNHCR's work in a high‑profile operation, with exposure to strategic discussions, participation in inter‑agency coordination processes, and, where security and operational considerations allow, visits to the field to better understand the realities of displacement and the impact of UNHCR's interventions.

Task description:

• Under the direct supervision of the Senior External Relations Officer, the UN Volunteer will support the External Relations Unit by undertaking the following tasks:
• - Donor Relations and Funding: Serve as a focal point for selected governmental UNHCR donors in Colombia, supporting the consolidation of funding submissions and ensuring alignment with project objectives and donor requirements. The UN Volunteer will also contribute to the drafting of interim and final reports, providing analysis of project results and donor contributions.
• - Monitoring: Support the monitoring of developments related to the Resource Mobilization Project Strategy, contributing to the preparation of accurate and timely briefings and internal updates.
• - Reporting: Assist in the preparation of regular reports, including donor updates, situational reports, briefing notes for senior management, and activity‑specific reports, to ensure stakeholders are informed of progress, challenges, and emerging issues.
• - Stakeholder Engagement: Contribute to the development and maintenance of effective working relationships with government counterparts, NGOs, and UN agencies, supporting coordination and collaboration on activities related to the Resource Mobilization Project Strategy.
• - Preparation for Engagements: Support the Senior External Relations Officer and the Office of the Representative in preparing for meetings and missions, including drafting talking points and briefing materials to ensure coherent and consistent communication of project priorities and objectives.
• - Mission Organization: Assist in organizing and accompanying missions for high‑level visitors (including Ambassadors and Heads of Development Agencies), delegations, and other stakeholders to project locations or partner activities, providing logistical and background support as required.
• - Public Information Support: Contribute to press events, interviews, field missions, and other public information activities, supporting efforts to enhance visibility and public understanding of the Resource Mobilization Project Strategy and UNHCR's work in Colombia.
• The UN Volunteer will undertake additional tasks, as required, to support the effective implementation and visibility of the Resource Mobilization Strategy and UNHCR Colombia's operation.
• The External Relations Unit of UNHCR plays a critical role in managing and strengthening the organization's engagement with external stakeholders, including governments, public and private donors, international organizations, non‑governmental organizations (NGOs), media, and the public. The Unit's work supports UNHCR's mandate by raising awareness, mobilizing resources, building partnerships, advocating for refugee‑responsive policies, and promoting public engagement in support of refugees and forcibly displaced populations.
• Within this context, the UN Volunteer will contribute to the Unit's activities as part of a team‑based learning role. Responsibilities will focus on supporting, assisting, and contributing to ongoing resource mobilization, reporting, coordination, and visibility efforts under close supervision, in line with UN Volunteer learning and professional development objectives.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 - 80

Required experience: 3 years

Donor priorities:

• .

Nationality: Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Additional eligibility criteria:

• This assignment is funded by the Government of Korea and therefore specific criteria apply:
• - Candidates must be Korean nationals. Fluency in Korean is required.
• - Candidates must be 27 years of age at the time of application.
• - Candidates who have already served as UN Volunteer Specialist funded by the Government of Korea are not eligible to apply (former UN University and UN Youth Volunteers are eligible).
• - Serving UN Volunteers will not be considered for other UN Volunteer assignments until they reach three (3) months before the end of contract date of their current UN Volunteer assignment. This provision applies equally to first and subsequent contracts.
• - Candidates may apply to a maximum of three assignments and indicate the order of preference in the 'Additional remarks' field when filling in the application form.
• - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The selection will be done by the UN Host Entity at the level of the country of assignment.
• APPLICATION DEADLINE: 19 July 2026
• +++ UN Volunteer entitlement calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator +++

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience:

• 3 years

Languages:

• English, Level: Fluent, Required
• Spanish, Level: Working knowledge, Required

Required education level:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences (Political Science, International Affairs), Communications, Marketing.

Competencies and values:

• - Accountability
• - Adaptability and Flexibility
• - Client Orientation
• - Commitment and Motivation
• - Commitment to Continuous Learning
• - Communication
• - Creativity
• - Ethics and Values
• - Integrity
• - Judgement and Decision-making
• - Planning and Organizing
• - Professionalism
• - Respect for Diversity
• - Self-Management
• - Technological Awareness
• - Working in Teams

Skills and experience:

• Experience in:
• - Humanitarian, development, or refugee protection work, particularly in areas related to donor engagement, reporting, and coordination.
• - International cooperation, donor relations, communications, stakeholder management.
• - Internet in working in a multicultural environment.
• Skills in:
• - Strong written communication skills, with the ability to draft clear and well‑structured reports, briefings, and summaries in English and Spanish.
• - Good organizational and time‑management skills, with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• - Ability to collect, consolidate, and synthesize information from different sources in a clear and structured manner.
• - Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds.
• - Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with reporting tools or information management systems is an asset.
• - Ability to work independently under supervision, with a proactive and learning‑oriented attitude.
• - Working knowledge of Spanish and English necessary; knowledge of additional languages is an asset.

Area(s) of expertise:

• Crisis and emergency response, Security and protection, Communication

Driving license:

• -

Other information