Government Liaison Associate

Government Liaison Associate 

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2024-07-15

Target End Date

2024-12-31

Job Posting End Date

July 6, 2024

Standard Job Description

Government Liaison Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Government Liaison Associate is a member of the Government Liaison Unit. S/he normally reports to the (Senior) Government Liaison Officer. The incumbent receives regular guidance and advice from the supervisor. S/he participates in all meetings/working groups related to the Government and to provide support on coordination work on common processes.
Under the supervision of the (Senior) Government Liaison Officer, the responsibilities of the Government Liaison Associate is to give, obtain and exchange information requiring discussions and explanations both to UNHCR staff members, Government authorities and other external parties on subject matters which may be of importance to the Organization.

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 officials in various ministries especially Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
– Keep track of evolving issues concerning asylum seekers, stateless persons and refugees within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
– Ensure that the office is kept informed of local and international developments which may have a political or operational impact on the office’s relation with the Government, including latest developments with regard to the implementation of the GCR, UN reform etc.
– Inform the supervisor and/or other senior managers on a continuing basis of relevant information on the outcome of discussions with government authorities on various issues.
– Assist senior management in dealing with the challenges posed by the political context, developments with the Government and issues related to humanitarian and development processes.
– Accompany the Representative/Deputy Representative/Head of Office and Headquarters visitors on missions and meetings.
– Assist in preparation for different visits and missions to the Operation.
– Liaise with Government partners and local authorities on behalf of UNHCR, as required.
– Draft correspondence and reports as required and assist in the drafting of briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, as required.
– Manage budget, when requested, including tracking expenditures.
– Initiate upon request of the supervisor the contact with the relevant external parties on various issues.
– Coordinate with different units in the office that information presented to government authorities is duly verified and endorsed by the supervisor.
– Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 – 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Political/Social Science;
Business Administration;
or other relevant field;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.
Desirable
Good knowledge of UNHCR operations and good political awareness.

Functional Skills
MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
MS-Networking
CO-Cross-cultural communication;
(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.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is a global organization protecting people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We work in over 130 countries, helping millions of people with life-saving support, safeguarding fundamental human rights, and helping them build a better future (see www.unhcr.org).

Since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, over 2.3 million refugees from Ukraine have entered Bulgaria and until the end of February 2024, the Government of Bulgaria has granted Temporary Protection to more than 176,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine, of whom the majority are women and children. The Council of Ministers has formed a Task Force for the Ukrainian Refugee Response, focusing on inter-ministerial coordination.

UNHCR under its mandate leads and coordinates the Inter-Agency refugee response for the Ukraine Situation, in alignment with the Regional Refugee Response Plan for the Ukraine Situation (RRP) – co-leading with and in support of the Government. Under the Refugee Coordination Mechanism, UNHCR has established the national refugee coordination forum – along with an inter-agency Cash Working Group (led by UNHCR), an Education Working Group (led by UNICEF), a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Technical Working Group (led by WHO), a Protection and Inclusion Working Group (led by UNHCR), a Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) network (co-led by UNHCR, UNICEF and a local organization) which fall under the inter-agency refugee coordination mechanism. There are currently 19 partners involved in the Refugee Response Plan for 2024.

Additionally, Bulgaria as an external EU border, plays a strategic role in refugee protection within Europe. In 2023, Bulgaria’s State Agency for Refugees (SAR) registered over 22,500 asylum seekers, most from Syria and Afghanistan, which have exceeded the asylum application numbers from 2022. SAR operates six reception centers for the registration, Refugee Status Determination procedures and accommodation of asylum seekers. Amid an increase in arrivals of Afghan and Syrian asylum seekers since 2022, UNHCR supports Bulgaria’s Government to ensure policies and legislation are in line with international and EU standards, and promotes a comprehensive refugee response, grounded in a multi-stakeholder, whole-of-society approach.

UNHCR supports government-led efforts to provide key protection – including legal assistance, information on services, education and psychosocial support – reception and accommodation, as well as the delivery of core relief items for winterization and cash assistance for the most vulnerable groups. UNHCR’s priority protection interventions include access to territory and asylum procedures, inclusion of refugees in state-led programs, Child Protection and
Gender Based Violence prevention, risk mitigation and response, support to persons with specific needs, and mitigation of the risks relating to trafficking and other forms of abuse and exploitation. UNHCR is also providing technical support to asylum authorities for digitalized systems.

The Government Liaison Associate works under the External Relations Unit in Sofia, Bulgaria. The incumbent works independently with an oversight from the supervisor and close coordination with all units.

S/he supports the Representative, External Relations and all units in liaising with governmental partners, drafting and sending official correspondence to authorities. S/he is responsible for the creation of the Operation’s Parliamentary Strategy under the supervision of the External Relations Head of unit. The Government Liaison Associate is responsible for the preparation and drafting of Memoranda of Cooperation with the institutions and facilitating the signatory official events and the tracking of the implementation process.

Desired Candidate Profile:

The desired candidate must hold Bulgarian nationality, as the job requires a good understanding of the local and political context and native language proficiency which is crucial for establishing effective collaboration with government counterparts. The candidate should possess the ability to communicate with national and local authorities proficiently in the local language.

Additional information:
This is Temporary Appointment (TA) until 31 December 2024 with possible extension.

Candidates must have Bulgarian citizenship at the time of application, recruitment, and hire. The Government Liaison Associate must be fluent in English (C1) and Bulgarian at the (C2) level.

Remuneration: In case of appointment, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

Benefits:
Annual leave: UNHCR staff members holding a temporary appointment will accrue annual leave at the rate of 1.5 working days for each full calendar month of service (i.e. 18 working days per year).

Health insurance plan: Locally recruited staff members in Bulgaria will be enrolled in the Medical Insurance Plan (MIP). Coverage is also optionally available for eligible family members.

No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

Functional Clearance

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level)

Bulgarian
English

Skills

CO-Cross-cultural communication, CO-Drafting and Documentation, SO-Networking

Certifications

Business Administration – Other, Political Science – Other, Social Sciences – Other

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

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