Liaison Officer , United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) UNRWA

UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY
FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST
UNRWA

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. For its international team, UNRWA is seeking to employ a qualified:

Liaison Officer

Vacancy Announcement Number 13-HQ-BR-44
Grade P-3
Deadline for Applications 16 November 2013
Duty Station Brussels, Belgium

The post of Liaison Officer is located in UNRWA Representative Office to the EU. It contributes to the overall objective to ensure that EU policies take into account the interests of Palestine refugees and reflect recognition by political actors of UNRWA as a relevant and effective partner contributing to human development and stability in the Near East as enshrined in the EU-UNRWA Multi-annual Framework Agreement. The European Union (EU) is UNRWA’s largest multilateral donor, thus the post aims: a) to enhance understanding on the issue of Palestine refugees reflected in EU decisions, statements, resolutions, policy, programmes and public opinion, b) to ensure improved awareness of UNRWA’s role and mandate among the relevant EU institutions, and c) to secure appropriate, predictable and incremental EU funding from a broadened range of sources. Under the direct supervision of the Director, UNRWA Representative Office to the EU and in accordance with the established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent will:

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining and expanding the relations with all relevant EU institutions and services, in particular with the European External Action Service (EEAS), Europe-Aid, European Parliament and the relevant Committees, as well as working groups and Delegations for the relations with the region where UNRWA is operating in, including raising awareness among interlocutors on the situation of Palestine refugees and the Agency’s mandate and needs;
• Contribute, in close coordination with External Relations and Communications Department (ERCD), to the implementation and development of UNRWA’s Resource Mobilisation Strategy, through actively pursuing innovative avenues of cooperation with EU institutions, aiming to identify possible EU sources of funding, negotiating concrete opportunities and developing UNRWA’s approach to acceding these, thereby helping to obtain predictable and additional funding opportunities;
• Assist in negotiating and drafting of bilateral agreements and project proposals on behalf of UNRWA, in close coordination with External Relations and Communications Department (ERCD), Program Departments/ Field Offices; assist in drafting correspondence for the purpose of fundraising and advocacy; produce policy briefing materials, speaking points and speeches for senior management;
• Contribute to successful implementation of the EU-UNRWA Multi-annual Framework Agreement by monitoring the annual EU budget preparation process and inter-institutional approval process, and assist in the preparation of an annual senior level EU-UNRWA programming session in close cooperation with ERCD;
• Assist the Director in updating the Commissioner-General’s Office and the External Relations and Communications Department on donor relations and advise on the state of play in key EU policy developments affecting the EU-UNRWA partnership, including through specific recommendations;
• Assist in organizing, preparing and participating where required in high level visits of the Commissioner-General, Deputy Commissioner-General or any other UNRWA Senior Manager in Brussels, including drafting necessary background materials in close cooperation with ERCD that may be required for such visits;
• Contribute to the design and implementation of public information and communication initiatives as part of the annual EU –UNRWA visibility action plan and related activities;
• Assist the Director to adequately represent UNRWA in various UN and EU fora in Brussels to ensure strategic positioning of the Agency on critical issues and ensure that UNRWA’s views are fully reflected and integrated in common strategic papers especially with regards to the EU-UN Financial and Administrative Framework Agreement, and UN Brussels policy working groups.

Professional Knowledge and Experience

• A university degree from an accredited educational institution in political science, international relations, public or business administration, law, economics, development studies or similar discipline;
• At least six years of progressively responsible professional experience in resource mobilization, humanitarian affairs, political affairs, development or other related area. Experience at international level with a United Nations Organization or with an EU institution is highly desirable;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Competencies

• Strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills;
• Proven ability to exercise initiative, to work under tight deadlines and handle multiple competing priorities;
• Excellent communicator in both spoken and written English, and ability to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a team environment and with people of diverse backgrounds, cultures and nationalities;
• Demonstrated ability to operate in an intergovernmental environment;
• Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, internet, etc.;
• Solid administrative and organizational skills and willingness to practice job flexibility.

Desirable Qualifications

• Familiarity with the functioning of EU institutions;
• Working knowledge of French;
• Familiarity with the Middle East and the Palestine refugee issue;
• Familiarity with visibility and communication tools and actions.

Additional Information
The incumbent will occasionally travel to the Agency Headquarters and to its area of operations in the Middle East.

Equivalency
When the minimum requirements are not fully met, the Director of Human Resources may exceptionally substitute part of the unmet requirements with a combination of relevant academic qualification, additional professional training and progressive relevant work experience. NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.

Conditions of Service
UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $60,091 net tax free with dependants or $56,091 single, plus post adjustment of 65.3% (subject to change without notice). Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include education grant, dependency allowance, home leave, pension fund, health insurance and 6 weeks annual leave. All UNRWA duty stations (with the exception of Gaza and Syria) are family duty stations. Initial contract is for two years, with the possibility of further extensions subject to the availability of funds and the continuing need for the post.

How to Apply
To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Please note that UNRWA only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Only applications received throughhttp://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted.

UNRWA does not charge a fee at any stage in the recruitment process.

General Information
UNRWA encourages applications from qualified and experienced women.

UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

UNRWA is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for human rights, for diversity, and for non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNRWA staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

The Agency reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.