Managing External Relations - Disaster Management Center ...

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Chapter
Developing Strategies for
External Relations
By studying this chapter you will learn about:
■ The major components of an external relations strategy
■ Some useful tools for illustrating steps in planning and
strategy building
■ Some helpful guidelines for creating strategies for relations with
governments and the UN System, and for UN Co-ordination at
field level, with the media, and with funding and donor agencies
Components of a Strategy
This chapter suggests some ways to devise strategies for each category of
external relationships. These approaches to strategy development may be
adapted for use by the entire emergency operation as well as by individual
staff members.
A strategy is the use of information, plans and methods in an approach
designed to reach a goal or goals. An external relations strategy may contain,
but is not limited to, the following components:
♦ Goals and objectives for the short- and long-term based on
an analysis of the situation, and available resources and needs
(that is, what exists and what is needed)
♦ A review of key players and their needs, concerns and capacities
♦ A description of the role of UNHCR staff (for use within UNHCR
as well as externally), policies and procedures
♦ Actions required to achieve goals such as the use of
interpersonal communications tools, techniques, meetings
and briefings
♦ An identification of staff knowledge and training needs
♦ Suggested plans of action and timelines to build relationships
and meet needs
Useful Tools for Strategy Building
When developing an external relations strategy, you should be aware of some
general planning tools that are available to facilitate your process. We briefly
describe four of these tools below. For a more detailed discussion of these tools,
refer to the other modules in this series ‘Contingency Planning’ and ‘Planning
an Emergency Response.’
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