The Division of External Relations (DER) mobilizes public, political, financial and operational support for UNHCR’s activities around the globe. DER carries out advocacy, awareness-raising and communications activities, including through a new digital engagement strategy, and dedicated communications strategies for emergencies and crises. DER also supports UNHCR’s governing bodies and manages strategic relations with various partners from the private sector, non-governmental organizations, civil society and the UN system.
The Communications and Public Information Service (CPIS) is responsible for the production of multimedia content and relations with global media, including reputation management, political support and advocacy. CPIS generates media and multimedia events; manages the online and news activities of the organization; and undertakes global media placement and roll-out for all of UNHCR’s major communications campaigns. In addition, it provides coordination, communications advice and other support to the Field.
The Digital Engagement Section works to increase overall digital engagement with online communities and audiences, and ensures that timely and relevant digital communications are in place. The overall goal is to generate greater awareness and engagement through digital content and campaigns, building a strong voice for UNHCR on digital platforms.
The Strategic Communications Section was established in 2013 to develop an integrated global strategic communications framework for UNHCR. The Section works to align and coordinate communication on core advocacy issues, and ensures coherent strategies and branding across the organization.
The Events, Campaigns and Goodwill Ambassador Section brings greater media attention to UNHCR through coordinated campaigns and events, using the World Refugee Day campaign as a key moment to put the issue of forced displacement on the public agenda. The Section also works to further elevate the status of UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Award and expand the Goodwill Ambassador programme to reinforce and amplify UNHCR’s messaging, events and campaigns, as well as key funding appeals and emergency operations.
The Donor Relations and Resource Mobilization Service (DRRM) is responsible for relations with governmental, intergovernmental and UN donors and resource mobilization. DRRM seeks to provide donors with a clear understanding of the organization’s objectives, policies, programmes and resource requirements. DRRM also liaises with field operations and headquarters units for the preparation of funding appeals, project proposals and reporting, while supporting them in their resource mobilization efforts through guidance, training and the dissemination of tools. DRRM organizes donor field missions, donor consultations and operational briefings for donors based in Geneva and capitals worldwide. It publishes the annual Global Appeal and Global Report, manages the Global Focus website, as well as producing other appeals and reports, as required.
The Private Sector Fundraising Service (PSFR), based in Copenhagen, works to raise awareness and mobilize support from private donors, including corporations, foundations, philanthropists and the general public, for UNHCR’s programmes worldwide. The Service supports fundraising operations in 27 countries in the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and the Middle East, through a network of UNHCR country offices and six national fundraising partners in Australia, Germany, Japan, Spain, Sweden and the United States. PSFR leads fundraising market development and manages the Office’s private sector fundraising growth fund, as well as international corporate and foundation partnerships. PSFR engages with corporations, foundations and philanthropists, to establish mutually beneficial partnerships, to channel additional resources to UNHCR’s core activities, and to promote innovative solutions to refugee issues. To ensure future growth and predictable revenue, PSFR develops and tests new fundraising programmes in different markets, including through digital channels, to reach large audiences and seek support for the organization’s humanitarian work.
The Records and Archives Section (RAS) is responsible for the management, preservation and access for UNHCR’s current and historical records. The implementation of e-record-keeping solutions in field offices, with the objective of enhancing accountability, knowledge transfer, efficiency, and preservation of institutional memory, is central to the Section’s work.
The Inter-Agency Coordination Service (IACS) coordinates UNHCR’s corporate positions and policies on key inter-agency humanitarian and development issues, in close consultation with respective Divisions, Bureaux and senior management. It provides guidance and support to field operations, including for refugee operations in mixed situations. The external dimension of its work includes a focus on advocating and presenting UNHCR’s positions in inter-agency fora (such as the IASC and UNDG). The IACS also works closely with DESS, in view of its role in the IASC Emergency Directors’ Group, on UNHCR’s responsibilities related to the roll-out of the Transformative Agenda.
The Governance and Partnership Service (GPS) supports the work of UNHCR’s Executive Committee (ExCom) and acts as the focal point for the Office’s relations with ExCom member States on issues of governance. It also helps facilitate bilateral relations with key UN agencies, international and intergovernmental organizations and NGOs. The Head of the Service serves as Secretary of the Executive Committee and is supported by the Secretariat and the Partnership Section. The Secretariat provides conference services for all meetings of the ExCom as well as for the High Commissioner’s Dialogue on Protection Challenges. It drafts and coordinates reports for UN governance bodies, including the General Assembly, and seeks to ensure that decisions, conclusions and resolutions of the governance bodies adequately reflect the Office’s objectives and the interests of people of concern. The Partnership Section organizes the Annual Consultations with NGOs; facilitates high-level bilateral consultations and revises MOUs with key NGO partners; supports the implementation of recommendations from the High Commissioner’s Structured Dialogue with NGOs at the field level; and facilitates the engagement of partners in the implementation of the new Refugee Coordination Model.