Associate Government Liaison Officer

About the job

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

E (most hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Non Family with Residential Location

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

UNOPS LICA9

Target Start Date

2024-09-01

Job Posting End Date

July 28, 2024

Terms of Reference

General Background

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:

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).
Monitoring and Progress Controls

The Associate 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
Qualifications and Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Work Experience

Ideally, the candidate should have previously demonstrated ability to:

Engage with Somali government officials and international partners, developing strong relationships at all levels (including facilitating and informing the senior executive's engagements), to understand complex environments and be able to explain these clearly and concisely.
Strengthen and expand organizational/institutional relationships including across the Somali Federal Government, Federal Member States, parliamentarians, business, civil society, international partners and other stakeholders.
Work at pace to produce high quality analysis, including well-drafted written reports and presentations.

Essential

Possession of native or near-native Somali language skills as well as good English language skills with the ability to interpret Somali texts are essential. Good IT skills and a detailed current knowledge of the political situation in Somalia is also essential.

Experience in engaging with governments, donors, and humanitarian coordination is essential. Knowledge of political issues spanning local, national, constitutional, and human rights, as well as relations with regional states, is also necessary.

Desirable

The job requires excellent judgement, networking ability, interpersonal skills, strong personal organisation, and deep subject matter expertise.

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.