Hardship LevelB
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeNOA
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2023-08-21
Job Posting End DateJuly 17, 2023
Standard Job DescriptionAssistant Government Liaison Officer Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Assistant Government Liaison Officer is usually located in country operations. S/he plays a crucial support role in ensuring UNHCR¿s approach to the Government is consistent, strategic and coherent. UNHCR assists the Government on coordination, response delivery and protection issues. Typically, this involves joint coordination arrangements, partnership with various government departments in service delivery, and regular dialogue at all levels on refugee protection issues. The main aim is to assist senior management to ensure that UNHCR can fulfil its role to support the Government to lead the refugee response ensuring the protection of refugees and - in line with the GCR - promote the inclusion of refugees into national systems by coordinating with other actors - including development actors at the early stages of a refugee response and in mixed situations supporting the Government to prevent, respond to and resolve internal displacement while complementing and reinforcing national response efforts. This should be done in line with UNHCR¿s Mandate, the Global Compact for Refugees, the IDP policy, and agreed inter-agency commitments. More specifically, s/he advises the senior management on issues and processes concerning the relationship with the Government and related positioning, coordination, advocacy, information, resource allocation, fundraising, reporting, and communication with other UN agencies, NGOs, civil society actors, private sector, media and other relevant actors through strong engagement in humanitarian inter-agency processes, but also with a focus on development processes as they impact on UNHCR. The overall goal of the position is to support the effectiveness of UNHCR¿s leadership roles and responses to situations affecting people of concern to UNHCR (refugees, asylum-seekers, IDPs, stateless persons, returnees, host communities) through an open and transparent partnership approach with the Government. The Assistant Government Liaison Officer ensures that support is provided for strategic planning, assessment, monitoring and analysis concerning the relationship with the Government. The Assistant Government Liaison Officer will support all planning and reporting activities. The incumbent will support the supervisor in maintaining a constant dialogue with the Government on the overall protection context. A key tool in this regard will be the facilitation and support of periodic meetings with the Government, as well as to support the broadening of mutual information through meeting reports, situation updates and newsletters. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity. Duties - Assist in the establishment of close working relations with Government Officials and/or other external parties. - Provide suggestions for promoting UNHCR¿s policies and liaising with Government authorities on issues related to latest humanitarian and development processes. - Support coordination meetings as required, including by preparing meetings and background information, drafting minutes and follow-up documentation. - Manage the flow of information to/from the supervisor and other senior staff; identifies priority matters that need to be urgently addressed by the supervisor. - Draft correspondence, documents and reports, and prepares tables and ensures follow-up. - Assist in ensuring appropriate links with the Government through establishment/maintenance of appropriate coordination and information exchange. - Act on behalf of the supervisor to convey, clarify and explain UNHCR¿s positions to Government or other external parties as applicable. - Inform the supervisor on a continuing basis of relevant information on the outcome of discussions with external parties. - Act as interpreter during meetings held by the supervisor with senior officials or other external parties. - Accompany the supervisor and Headquarters visitors to camps, border missions and provincial cities. - May be required to coordinate the work of lower level staff. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Years of Experience / Degree Level For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree Field(s) of Education Law/International Law; Political Science; Social Science; Business Administration; or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses Not specified. Relevant Job Experience Essential: Not specified. Desirable: Not specified. Functional Skills CO-Drafting and Documentation CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community SO-Networking (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential) Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language. For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English. All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise. This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile ASSISTANT GOVERNMENT LIAISON OFFICER
UNHCR established its presence in the State of Roraima (norther Brazil) in 2017. Today UNHCR has a Sub-Office in Boa Vista (the capital of Roraima) and a Field Unit in Pacaraima, at the border with Venezuela. As a result of Venezuela crisis, since 2018 Roraima has become the leading entry point for refugees in Brazil. Displaced Venezuelans in Roraima are estimated to number around 100,000, approximately one-fifth of the state's population.
Both in Boa Vista and Pacaraima, UNHCR participates in the federal government’s response to the refugee influx from Venezuela, called “Operation Welcome”, which is carried out by several Ministries, the Brazilian Army, UN agencies and several (I)NGO. UNHCR and its partners provide refugees and other persons in need of international protection with access to documentation, rights and services, and emergency sheltering (with a total shelters capacity of 9,000 people). UNHCR also works to enhance refugees’ access to self-reliance and local integration through voluntary relocation to other Brazilian states (within the Operation Welcome), but also through professional training and livelihood interventions. Currently, most persons served by UNHCR in Roraima are from Venezuela, but there are also groups of other nationalities, including Cuban, Haitian, Indian, Cameroonian persons among the others. The Venezuelan population in Roraima includes some 2,000 indigenous persons, mostly living in shelters.
The Assistant Government Liaison Officer will report to the Head of Sub-Office Boa Vista and will supervise one Public Health Associate. The operational reach covers the State of Roraima. The incumbent foster relationships with all government entities, regularly update authorities on UNHCR activities, and share advocacy messages in order to ensure operational continuity.
Candidate profile:
Knowledge of conventions and international instruments relating to refugees and core protection principles, protection space, and protection context
Knowledge of national laws and other normative instruments concerning rights of refugees in Brazil, as well as the functioning of Brazilian public institutions
Previous experience in coordination with different stakeholders, possibly within the framework of the interagency mechanism.
Political awareness, firm grasp of current political events in Brazil and Roraima, and the ability to analyze and develop a strategy for UNHCR’s relationship with the local authorities
Professional demeanor, diplomatic skills, and continuous constructive dialogue to convey UNHCR priorities and messages effectively. Experience in interacting with administrative and security authorities.
Humanitarian negotiation skills and conflict sensitive approach of communication
Adaptable and agile in an ever-changing context
- Previous experience in supervising staff
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): English
,
,
Desired languagesSpanish
,Portuguese
,
Operational context
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
UNHCR established its presence in the State of Roraima (norther Brazil) in 2017. Today UNHCR has a Sub-Office in Boa Vista (the capital of Roraima) and a Field Unit in Pacaraima, at the border with Venezuela. As a result of Venezuela crisis, since 2018 Roraima has become the leading entry point for refugees in Brazil. Displaced Venezuelans in Roraima are estimated to number around 100,000, approximately one-fifth of the state's population.
Both in Boa Vista and Pacaraima, UNHCR participates in the federal government’s response to the refugee influx from Venezuela, called “Operation Welcome”, which is carried out by several Ministries, the Brazilian Army, UN agencies and several (I)NGO. UNHCR and its partners provide refugees and other persons in need of international protection with access to documentation, rights and services, and emergency sheltering (with a total shelters capacity of 9,000 people). UNHCR also works to enhance refugees’ access to self-reliance and local integration through voluntary relocation to other Brazilian states (within the Operation Welcome), but also through professional training and livelihood interventions. Currently, most persons served by UNHCR in Roraima are from Venezuela, but there are also groups of other nationalities, including Cuban, Haitian, Indian, Cameroonian persons among the others. The Venezuelan population in Roraima includes some 2,000 indigenous persons, mostly living in shelters.
The Assistant Government Liaison Officer will report to the Head of Sub-Office Boa Vista and will supervise one Public Health Associate. The operational reach covers the State of Roraima. The incumbent foster relationships with all government entities, regularly update authorities on UNHCR activities, and share advocacy messages in order to ensure operational continuity.
With more than 400,000 inhabitants, Boa Vista is the capital of the State of Roraima. The climate has high temperatures throughout the year, with a dry and a wet season.
Health facilities can be found in Boa Vista.
Boa Vista offers some options of leisure and cultural activities, with many parks and green spaces.
There is a limited public transport system and options of private transportation like taxi and Uber are available.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, CO-Drafting and Documentation, SO-Networking
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science (Required)
Certifications
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
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Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance