Senior Liaison Officer

  • Senior-level, Field assignment
  • Posted on 17 September 2022

Job Description

Type of Job


Job Family
Political Affairs

Job Opening Number
22-Political Affairs-UNMISS-191096-F- (M)

Deadline: 30 Sep 2022

Description
Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is in Juba, in the Integrated Office of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The Senior Liaison Officer will report to the Head of the Integrated Office under the direction of the DSRSG/RC/HC.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Liaison Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

  • Provides strategic advice to the DSRSG/RC/HC to ensure the integration of the following UNMISS sections - Relief, Reintegration and Protection (RRP), Gender, Child Protection, Mine Action and HIV/AIDS - with the humanitarian activities and the development initiatives of the UN.

  • Supports the planning and implementation of the operational activities related to the work of the office to ensure that all commitments under the overall responsibility of the DSRSG/HC/RC are delivered in a timely fashion and to a high quality.

  • Working closely with the Head of the Integrated Office, supports the DSRSG/HC/RC’s leadership role in co-ordinating work between UNMISS and the rest of the UN family, in particular with regards to peace-building activities and in advancing the common objectives of the Reconciliation, Stabilisation and Resilience Trust Fund (RSRTF). Prepares briefing notes and talking points for the DSRSG/RC/HC and other senior staff. Provides continuous guidance and advice to the DSRSG, and other senior pillar managers concerning the organization of work, status of negotiations, and conduct of business including interpretation of the rules of procedure. Responds to/prepares responses to comments, statements, and queries of parties and manages operations involving several components, including civilian and military operations. Develops, maintains and strengthens collaborative partnerships with government entities, all UNMISS sections, the UN family and other partners.

  • Ensures the day-to-day management of the front office team; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programmes. Designs initiatives: advises on and participates in the negotiation to establish operations and develops guidelines, terms of reference and operational plans and time frames for new operations. Represents the office at round tables, seminars, and conferences.

  • Formulates the programme of work, budget and medium-term plan of the office/pillar and participates in the overall approval of the programme of work, and administrative matters concerning the pillar coordinates and oversees work of colleagues and office.

  • Performs other related duties as required.

    Competencies

  • PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the work of intergovernmental bodies, the work of the United Nations and its related bodies concerned with political, economic, social and related matters; Have the ability to evaluate international political situations in area of assignment and to manage and coordinate many different levels and participants in operations, in both the field and UN common system. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

  • COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

  • PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

  • LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

  • JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

    Education

    Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

    Work Experience

    A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, development activities, political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, or related field is required.

    Extensive experience in humanitarian affairs, development activities, political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advice and reporting is required.

    Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) -or similar international organization or non-governmental organization- in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required.

    A minimum of two years of experience working in a UN Peacekeeping Operation or Special Political Mission is desirable.

    Previous experience working in the office of a senior public official is desirable.

    Experience working in Africa is desirable.

    Languages

    English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised a high degree of fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Similar Jobs