Government Liaison Officer

This individual consultancy is centered on critical functions of Government liaison & relations essential for UNHCR’s operations in Somalia considering the uniquely challenging socio-political operational environment. Being able to navigate the complex, diverse and often changing Government landscape and relations at Federal and Federal Member States levels is indispensable for UNHCR to operate and implement its mandated responsibility in Somalia.
Doing so requires high levels of political aptitude and understanding of the shifting political landscape and relations within the Federal Government as well as with and at Federal Member States level, deep knowledge of the entrenchment of Government with Somalia’s clan system, and strong relations and an established network of stakeholders in Government and interlocutors up to Ministerial, Prime Ministerial and Presidential levels:  
   
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Analysis of complex issues related to the political and governmental developments and potential impact on UNHCR’s operations at Federal and Federal Member States level. This will enable UNHCR to ensure continuity of operations in view of the fast-paced political and governmental changes. Specific tasks include:
• Monitoring of political and governmental landscape and regular stakeholder engagement and management to enable and position UNHCR to easily engage with Government counterparts;
• Maintain and expand the network of relevant Governmental stakeholders, including at highest levels, at capital-level as well as at the level of the Federal Member States;
• Preparation of analysis, including political and stakeholder analysis, to inform UNHCR’s
strategic and operational decisions.

Enabling proactive Government engagement to advance UNHCR’s priorities in Somalia as well as to identify and analyse opportunities and risks and propose solutions and risk mitigation measures. Specific tasks include:
• Supporting the promotion of UNHCR’s policies and operational priorities with Government and resolution of arising challenges and bottlenecks, including in relation of adoption of relevant laws and policies or specific protection issues amongst others;
• Identify opportunities for UNHCR and propose respective strategic decisions and programmatic interventions to enable UNHCR to seize opportunities and be well positioned.
• Anticipatory analysis, notably ahead of elections and reshuffles of Parliaments or Governments at Federal and Member State level, as well as other political and governmental developments potentially impacting on UNHCR’s operations, with proposals for risk mitigation.

High-level advisory service on policies and strategic issues that directly and majorly affects the operations of UNHCR in Somalia. Specific tasks include:
• Proactively identify emerging policy and other issues of relevance to UNHCR’s operations to
• enable early engagement of UNHCR with relevant Government counterparts.
• Provide advice to Snr Management on Government engagement at Federal and Federal
• Member State level in relation to UNHCR’s operations.
• Engage highest level of Government, where and as needed, on issues directly and majorly impacting on UNHCR’s operations.

Protocol support to enable UNHCR’s operations, including its supply chain, as well as in preparation of the frequent high-level visits. Specific tasks include:
• Expedite visa processing and processing of other protocol requirements of UNHCR, through strong relations with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Facilitation of UNHCR’s supply chains through privileged access to airport and port as well as expedited clearance and tax exemptions for cargo;
• Facilitate the frequent high-level missions, including for meetings at highest levels of Government (President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Ministers).     

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

The Government Liaison Officer will report directly to the Representative and will serve as the principle in-house strategic advisor on political updates. S/he will facilitate and arrange meetings with Government at varying levels of seniority and Federal, State or District/Regional Level, as appropriate. The Liaison officer will advance the continuity of good partnership with Government focal points.

Performance Indicators will include:
- The number of meetings/events planned with Government Partners
- Timely political updates to the Representative and management team
- Strategic initiatives, passed/accepted by Government (such as policies, instruments, easing of obstructions to the delivery of humanitarian assistance) in line with UNHCR’s mandate
- Facilitating sustainable relations with Government, measured by maintaining a contact list/database of key Government actors (e.g. Ministers, Committees, etc.), updated on a regular basis

Years of Experience / Degree Level
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in international relations, foreign policy, political science, sociology, Social Science, Economics, Law/International Law or other relevant field;
Postgraduate studies – preferably a Master’s or Doctorate Degree in subjects such as international relations, global diplomacy and security studies will be an added advantage.
Work Experience

Essential

At least 10 years professional experience of working with government officials, including attending, and representing organizations at meetings and conferences, and strong abilities in developing relationships with partners at field or Headquarters level is required.

Experience of liaising with governments and/or the donor community, a thorough understanding of humanitarian coordination processes and/or development coordination is required. Knowledge of UNHCR's protection mandate and core mission is an added advantage.

Desirable
The candidate should be adaptable, resilient, and able to cope with the high levels of disruption and the unpredictable environment in which UNHCR is operating.

Excellent interpersonal skills, a mature attitude, and the ability to network, use tact and diplomacy during engagements with Multi-stakeholder Communications is desirable.

Knowledge of the Inter-agency coordination role, ability to draft joint appeals/ refugee response plans/HRP as well as acquired competences within the United Nations are desirable for the role. 

5. Key Competencies

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

Standard Job Description

Government Liaison Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Government Liaison Officer is usually located in country operations. S/he plays a crucial role in ensuring UNHCR's approach to the Government is consistent, strategic and coherent. The main aim is 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 UNHCRs Mandate, the Global Compact for Refugees, the IDP policy, and agreed inter-agency commitments. More specifically, the incumbent 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. This requires strong engagement in Government processes, and knowledge and interaction with national entities and processes. The Government Liaison Officer assists senior management with ensuring the Government is aware of the humanitarian architecture and can act in line with ongoing development processes related to the UNDS reform and the 2030 agenda as they impact on UNHCR. 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 the Government.

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.