External Relations Officer

Deadline for Applications September 15, 2026 Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based) A (least hardship) Family Type (not applicable for home-based) Family Staff Member / Affiliate Type UNOPS IICA2 Target Start Date 2026-10-01 Terms of Reference Title: External Relations Officer Duty station: Bangkok, Thailand Section/Unit: Office of the Representative ICA Level: IICA2 Corresponding level: P3 Duration: As soon as possible – 31 December 2026 Supervisor: Senior Development Officer 1. General Background Thailand is entering a significant new phase in its response to protracted refugee situations. The Royal Thai Government is progressively shifting from a predominantly camp-based, assistance-oriented approach towards policies that enable refugees to become more self-reliant, participate in the economy and access national systems and services. This direction recognises that greater inclusion can strengthen protection and dignity for refugees while also benefiting host communities and Thailand’s social and economic development. A landmark step was the Cabinet resolution of 26 August 2025 granting long-staying refugees from Myanmar in temporary shelters along the Thai-Myanmar border access to legal employment. This has created new opportunities for refugees to earn an income, support their families, develop skills and contribute to sectors of the Thai economy facing labour needs. The subsequent issuance of official identity cards to Myanmar Displaced Persons has further supported legal recognition and access to essential services, including banking and telecommunications. These developments represent an important transition from long-term reliance on humanitarian assistance towards refugee inclusion and sustainable self-reliance. UNHCR supports the Royal Thai Government in implementing this policy direction in a protection-sensitive and inclusive manner, working with refugees, host communities, employers, civil society, UN agencies, development actors and donors to identify practical solutions, address implementation challenges and expand access to rights and opportunities. Strategic communications and high-quality reporting are essential to sustaining this transition. Clear, evidence-based content is needed to explain policy changes, demonstrate results, amplify refugee perspectives, and document how self-reliance and inclusion benefit refugees, host communities and the national economy. Effective external relations are therefore essential to build public understanding and support, while timely donor reporting is critical to maintaining confidence, accountability, and continued investment in the transition. Within this context, the External Relations Officer will support the production and coordination of compelling, accurate, evidence-based, and protection-sensitive communications products and donor reports. The incumbent will work across the operation to capture progress, lessons, and human-centred stories that demonstrate the impact of Thai’s policy reforms and advances towards refugee inclusion and self-reliance. Through advocacy-oriented examples, the role will highlight how refugees are building greater independence, participating more fully in society, and contributing positively to Thailand’s economy, while ensuring that donor visibility, reporting obligations, and UNHCR standards are consistently met.       2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment 1. Develop a content and reporting plan for the duration of the assignment aligned with the Royal Thai Government’s policy shift, UNHCR priorities, donor agreements, and key milestones on refugee self-reliance and inclusion. 2. Identify, research and produce compelling, advocacy-aligned, human-interest stories showing how access to legal work, documentation, skills, services, and national systems enables refugees to support their families and contribute to host communities and Thailand’s economy. 3. Ensure refugee perspectives, agency, and achievements are