Director for United Nations Liaison Unit

Job Description

SUMMARY

The Director for United Nations Liaison works within ADRA International’s Programs Department supporting the ADRA Network’s global UN programs portfolio. The position represents (or coordinates representation of) ADRA at senior levels of the United Nations and its various entities and agencies in New York, Geneva, Rome, Vienna, and elsewhere, to promote ADRA’s activities and mission and advocate for the development requirements of our beneficiary constituencies. The position also coordinates ADRA International’s global office roles and responsibilities to ensure our UN-funded programs deliver high-quality, impactful programming that makes measurable changes in peoples’ lives.

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OUTCOMES

· Within 3 months, has completed takeover of all key/critical relationships with UN entities at the headquarters level and coordinating/facilitating connections at regional and national levels

· Within 6 months, owns coordination of the overall strategic direction of ADRA’s engagement with the UN in terms of policy/advocacy, partnerships, and program portfolio growth/development.

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PRE-REQUISITES

Required

• A Master’s Degree in International Development, International Relations, Law, Humanities, or other relevant discipline
• Ten or more years’ experience in United Nations / international development / not-for-profit environments.
• Expertise in policy/advocacy activities with government agencies, multilateral institutions and/or non-government organizations.
• Ability to interact professionally with C-Suite staff of international and multilateral institutions.
• Familiarity and capacity in negotiating international contracts and agreements.
• Strong team management skills that translate well in a cross-cultural environment and remote
• Demonstrated effective communication and presentations skills, both verbally and in writing in English.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office products.
• Current legal permit to work in the United States.

Preferred

• Knowledge of organizational structure of the United Nations and familiarity with project/award processes, regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Strong network of connections and working relationships within UN agencies and industry counterparts.
• Experience in project management, financial management and international development standards.
• Proficiency in a second language (Arabic, French, Spanish).

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BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

Relating and Networking: Establishes good relationships with colleagues; builds wide and effective networks.

Persuading and Influencing: Makes a strong personal impression on others; gains clear agreement and commitment from others.

Formulating Strategies and Concepts: Works strategically to realize organizational goals; sets and develops strategies.

Deciding and Initiating Action: Makes prompt, clear decisions which may involve tough choices or considered risks.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

UN Relations: Intensify ADRA’s engagement with the United Nations through a strategic and coordinated approach to policy/working group participation, focused advocacy efforts, and cultivation of a network of UN contacts and relationships across multiple levels of key UN agencies.

· Serve as ADRA’s principal representative to the United Nations and its various entities, including attendance and/or coordinating other’s attendance at strategic UN meetings that provide benefit to the ADRA Network, and engaging in policy working groups that influence and impact ADRA’s work.

· Develop and evolve strategies for enhancing ADRA’s engagement with the UN, securing wide ADRA Network buy-in for approaches and plans

· Direct and coordinate the execution of engagement plans across ADRA Network responsible staff at global office, regional offices and national offices.

· Cultivate, maintain and strengthen relationships between ADRA International and key UN humanitarian and development agencies in New York, Geneva, Rome, Vienna and other sites.

· Develop and maintain a mapping of ADRA-UN contacts and relationships across multiple levels of engagement (global, regional, national)

· Coordinate ADRA’s advocacy positions and activities with the United Nations and its various entities.

· Maintain and process various UN credentials/badges with (i.e. UN – ECOSOC) globally.

· Report to the UN as required to maintain ADRA’s consultative status.

Communication and Coordination: ADRA offices throughout the Network are provided with timely information and opportunities to participate in coordinated engagement relating to UN events and activities.

· Communicate throughout the ADRA Network the outcomes, developments, notes/minutes from UN briefings and meetings, especially with such entities as the WFP, UNHCR, UNDP, UNICEF.

· Work with colleagues throughout ADRA network to evolve/develop/pursue strategies promoting alignment of ADRA’s work with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at all levels of strategy, programming and marketing.

· Develop, with input from ADRA Network colleagues, UN resource materials on regulations and policies, as well as program and budget proposal development guidelines.

· Maintain databases of projects, and an ENET site dedicated to UN resources and documents, as well as for communicating changes and developments to ADRA’s UN engagement.

· Participate in assigned ADRA International and Network working groups, summits, seminars, etc.

Programs Support: Enhance the capacity of ADRA offices throughout the network to develop and maintain appropriate funding relationships with UN entities.

· Lead/coordinate/oversee the development of ADRA’s global and regional strategies for growth of UN program portfolio across all relevant UN agencies.

· Coordinate the development of Network-wide fundraising strategies to cover funding requirements of ADRA Network UN Liaison and program support costs, and UN project pre-financing and cost share/matching funding requirements

· Facilitate funding transfers between offices, including updating guidelines for use of overhead resources from UN agencies

· Review and recommend pre-financing and cost share/matching funding requests on project-by-project basis

· Direct the work of the global office UN Liaison team supporting ADRA Network-wide UN funding through:

o Mapping of UN funding and relationships within the ADRA Network.

o Identifying and facilitating partnership and funding opportunities between ADRA network offices and UN agencies.

o Identifying project funding needs and developing pre-financing and cost sharing plans/requests.

· Spearhead the development and implementation of capacity building plans across the ADRA Network to enhance ADRA’s ability to secure and successfully implement quality program on behalf of UN partners, especially, but not limited to WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNOCHA, FAO.

· Explore opportunities for collaboration with all ADRA offices to use UN funding to leverage additional USAID funding.

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TRAVEL

Up to 40% international and domestic travel, including frequent visits to United Nations offices in New York, Rome, Geneva, and to developing countries. Must have ability to travel on short notice when circumstances require.

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MENTAL/EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to work in a fast-paced and customer service-oriented environment; to perform duties under pressure and meet deadlines in a timely manner; to work as part of a team as well as to complete assignments independently; to take instructions from supervisors; to exercise problem-solving skills; and to interact with co-workers, supervisors, network employees, donors and the public in a professional and pleasant manner.

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PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA)

Person must be able to perform essential job functions with or without accommodation. Incumbent should be in optimal health for difficult and temporary below-basic living conditions at overseas location and for field travel in general.

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Committee Membership

Business Development Committee, UN Working Group

About the Organization

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is a global humanitarian organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that demonstrates God’s love and compassion. ADRA works with people in poverty and distress to create just and positive change through empowering partnerships and responsible action.

ADRA International is a religiously qualified Equal Opportunity Employer under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. As such we have the right to prefer a member of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) church in the hiring process. In the event that a qualified SDA candidate is not found, we will give the opportunity to candidates who must understand, respect and honour the mission, purpose, and identity of ADRA International.