Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS IICA2
Target Start Date2024-01-15
Job Posting End DateJanuary 3, 2024
Terms of Reference1. General Background
The Government Liaison Officer is located with the Regional Bureau for the Americas, in Panama City. S/he plays a crucial role in ensuring UNHCR’s approach to Government-led processes, especially Quito Process, is consistent, strategic, and coherent.
The main aim is to ensure that UNHCR can fulfil its role to support Government-led processes 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 Government-led processes to prevent, respond to and resolve forced displacement situations, while complementing and reinforcing national response efforts in a multilateral environment.
This should be done in line with UNHCRs Mandate and the Global Compact for Refugees and agreed inter-agency commitments. More specifically, the incumbent supports Government-led processes, especially Quito Process, on issues and processes concerning positioning, coordination, advocacy, information, resource allocation, fundraising, reporting, and communication with other Member States, UN agencies, NGOs, civil society actors, private sector, academia, and other relevant actors through strong engagement in processes, but also with a focus on development processes as they impact on UNHCR.
This requires strong engagement in Government processes, and knowledge and interaction with national entities and processes.
The Government Liaison Officer work under the direct supervision of and assists the Senior Protection Officer serving as focal point for the Quito Process. The overall goal of the position is to strengthen and enhance 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 Member States of Quito Process, in particular its Presidency (PPT or Presidencia Pro Tempore).
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The incumbent serves in the context of the Technical Secretariat (ST, Secretaría Técnica) of Quito Process, which is the body created within the framework of Quito Process responsible for the provision of technical, operational, logistical, communications and overall administrative support to the Presidencia Pro Tempore (PPT) of the Process.
The incumbent is responsible for ensuring technical orientation and administrative support to the realization of workshops, regional technical meetings, and plenary meetings, ensuring the required follow-up activities to different key documents that have been approved by Member States (Declarations, Action Plans and Roadmaps).
Technical support is to be provided in line with the strategic vision and action plan defined by Quito Process’ PPT, in close consultation with the UNHCR focal person within the Regional Bureau for the Americas. Travel will be undertaken as required and authorized by the UNHCR focal person assigned to Quito Process.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
Workshops, regional technical meetings, and a plenary meeting will be held in accordance with the plan to be defined by Quito Process’ PPT (2024).
4. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
University degree in Law, Political Science, International Relations, or related fields, with specialization on International Human Rights and Refugee Law, Humanitarian Assistance & International Development.
b. Work Experience
Minimum of 05 years of professional work experience (Protection, Field Protection, Humanitarian Affairs, External Relations, Government Liaison) in the context of international humanitarian activities. Previous experience with UNHCR and government-led process will be considered an asset.
Experience of liaising with governments and/or the donor community. Thorough understanding of UNHCR's protection mandate and core mission. Thorough understanding of humanitarian coordination, government-led processes and/or development coordination.
c. Key Competencies
Functional Skills:
MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation;
MG-Negotiation;
CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community;
MS-Networking;
TR-Training and Capacity Building of Governments/Implementing Partners/Refugees;
Core Competencies:
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies:
Empowering and Building Trust
Judgement and Decision Making
Managing Performance
Managing Resources
Cross-Functional Competencies:
Stakeholder Management
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Political Awareness
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Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance