Associate Government Liaison Officer

Deadline for ApplicationsOctober 18, 2025

Hardship LevelB

Family TypeFamily

Family TypeFamily

Residential location (if applicable)

GradePR1

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer

ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date2025-11-01

Standard Job Description

Assistant Government Liaison Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Assistant Government Liaison Officer is usually located in country operations. S/he plays a crucial support role in ensuring UNHCR's approach to the Government is consistent, strategic and coherent. UNHCR assists the Government on coordination, response delivery and protection issues. Typically, this involves joint coordination arrangements, partnership with various government departments in service delivery, and regular dialogue at all levels on refugee protection issues. The main aim is to assist senior management 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 UNHCR's Mandate, the Global Compact for Refugees, the IDP policy, and agreed inter-agency commitments. More specifically, s/he 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. The overall goal of the position is to support 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.

The Assistant Government Liaison Officer ensures that support is provided for strategic planning, assessment, monitoring and analysis concerning the relationship with the Government. The Assistant Government Liaison Officer will support all planning and reporting activities. The incumbent will support the supervisor in maintaining a constant dialogue with the Government on the overall protection context. A key tool in this regard will be the facilitation and support of periodic meetings with the Government, as well as to support the broadening of mutual information through meeting reports, situation updates and newsletters.

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 Government Officials and/or other external parties.
- Provide suggestions for promoting UNHCR's policies and liaising with Government authorities on issues related to latest humanitarian and development processes.
- Support coordination meetings as required, including by preparing meetings and background information, drafting minutes and follow-up documentation.
- Manage the flow of information to/from the supervisor and other senior staff; identifies priority matters that need to be urgently addressed by the supervisor.
- Draft correspondence, documents and reports, and prepares tables and ensures follow-up.
- Assist in ensuring appropriate links with the Government through establishment/maintenance of appropriate coordination and information exchange.
- Act on behalf of the supervisor to convey, clarify and explain UNHCR's positions to Government or other external parties as applicable.
- Inform the supervisor on a continuing basis of relevant information on the outcome of discussions with external parties.
- Act as interpreter during meetings held by the supervisor with senior officials or other external parties.
- Accompany the supervisor and Headquarters visitors to camps, border missions and provincial cities.
- May be required to coordinate the work of lower level staff.

- 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
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Law/International Law;
Political Science;
Social Science;
Business Administration;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential:
Not specified.
Desirable:
Not specified.

Functional Skills
CO-Drafting and Documentation
CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community
SO-Networking
(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.

Desired Candidate Profile Under the supervision of the Senior Liaison Adviser. The incumbent will coordinate with all work units in RAUECA, UNHCR staff embedded in the African Union as well as a network of internal and external stakeholders. His/her responsibilities entail knowledge of structures, policies, and processes of UNHCR, the African Union and UNEAC and other stakeholder/partner entities.

The incumbent of the position will work and provide support on the following:
• Engagement with UNECA in the promotion of socio-economic inclusion of refugees.
• Follow up and liaise with the UNECA Africa Center for Statistics, on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS), ensuring participation in the Working Group on Statistics,
• Activities on migration, (the close cooperation and follow-up with the African Union in regard to the AU-EU-UN (UNHCR/IOM) Taskforce on Stranded Migrants & Refugees in Libya, the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) in Rwanda, and the Monthly Central & Western Mediterranean and Northwest Africa Maritime Routes Teleconference (CWM-NAMR) led by the Department of International Protection (DIP).
• She/he will be responsible for providing briefing notes, talking points and issue papers for relevant discussions with relevant divisions of the AU, UNECA and key stakeholders
• S/he will articulate UNHCR's priorities towards the AU and UNECA, and with support from senior management, promote the deeper understanding within UNHCR on AU and UNECA policy and frameworks. Where there is lack of clarity as to UNHCR's positions and priorities, identify the issues and bring this to senior management attention.
• The Associate Government Liaison Officer will provide support in functions covering risk analysis, risk management and compliance, and input as requested in COMPASS in line with UNHCR’s Resource Allocation Framework.
• Support UNHCR engagement with key stakeholders in the Mixed Migration and Routes Based Approach,
• Support UNHCR engagement with UNECA in the promotion of socio-economic inclusion of refugees.
• Prepare concept notes, briefing notes and talking points for missions and delegates.
• Assist in preparing visibility for RAUECA’s interactions with the African Union.
• Keep abreast with all developments related to the activities of RAUECA, the African Union and UN Economic Commission for Africa to prepare appropriate briefings and reports.
• Support the monitoring of UNHCR's partnerships and consolidate information about partners' activities.
• Prepare and distribute minutes for RAUECA’s external meetings.
• Collaborate closely with counterparts in the African Union Commission, UNECA, Embassies, in other UN agencies and NGOs to ensure accurate information is provided regarding RAUECA’s activities
• Support Senior Management in engaging the African Union for sustainable and predictable resource mobilization.
• Where relevant, contribute to UNHCR's coordination endeavors across sectors, including through reporting, advocacy, resource mobilization and other support as may be required.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making is risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Assist in the management of RAUECA’s social media accounts and engage audiences effectively.
Key Competencies & Experience
• Desirable for candidate to possess experience in UNHCR, or the UN system and the humanitarian community.
• Excellent communication and writing skills for drafting clear, concise content tailored to diverse audiences.
• Analytical and strategic thinking to synthesize information from a wide range of sources.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Experience of working in a diverse team.
• Desirable for candidate to possess experience in development and resource mobilization.
• Good understanding of UNHCR’s donor and resource mobilization would be desirable.

Key Competencies & Experience

Essential:
• Experience of working with partners at field or Headquarters level.
• Experience of liaising with governments and/or the donor community.
• Thorough understanding of UNHCR's protection mandate and core mission.
• Thorough understanding of humanitarian coordination processes and/or development coordination.

Desirable:
• Inter-agency coordination role.
• Drafting joint appeal/ refugee response plan.
• Experience with another UN agency, with the AU or with RECs or their partners.
• Drafting and Documentation
• Multi-stakeholder Communications with Multilateral Partners, Government & Community
• Networking
• Training skills would be an asset
• second UN language would be an asset

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

,

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Established as a full-fledged office in 2009, the Representation to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (RAUECA) represents UNHCR at the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). RAUECA presently engages with a wide range of stakeholders in and outside of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Regarding the entities that comprise the AU Commission, RAUECA collaborates and engages the following constitutive organs: The Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS); Political Affairs, Peace and Security; Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Development across AU policy organs, decentralized and autonomous institutions of the AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs), the United Nations System, development actors, multinational private sector entities, international financial institutions, as well as other State and non-state entities that are either accredited to and/or possess observer status with the AU and/or UNECA. Some of the Addis Ababa-based diplomatic representations and entities are also accredited to RECs, particularly IGAD. The office collaborates closely with Regional Bureaux in Africa, Divisions at UNHCR Headquarters in Geneva, UNHCR Liaison Offices in New York and Brussels, and the UNHCR Special Envoy for the Central and Western Mediterranean and Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. RAUECA is tasked with preparing the annual “UN Secretary General’s Report on assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons in Africa,” which is presented to the GA annually. RAUECA collaborates with UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, including within the framework of the UN Liaison Team as well as the Africa Regional Collaborative Platform (Africa RCP). RAUECA is also member of the Humanitarian Coordination Forum that was established in October 2023.

The Representation participates regularly in official events and functions that are organized mainly by the African Union and UN Economic Commission for Africa, RECs, diplomatic corps, UN System as well as other partners. Although the country operations do not come within the purview of RAUECA, RAUECA engages with bilateral and multilateral actors, including Member States Permanent representations to the AU, the African Development Bank, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Through their respective mandates, these institutions also contribute to the protection, assistance, and pursuit of durable solutions for forcibly displaced and stateless persons. Additionally, the Representation collaborates with a variety of stakeholders accredited to the AU and UNECA, which include Embassies, UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes.

Living and Working Conditions:

Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia. The city has an estimated population of 5.7million inhabitants. It is where the African Union is headquartered. It also hosts the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), as well as various other continental and international organizations. Staff members reside in commercial accommodation available in town (Check the Travel Advisory for Addis Ababa on UN TRIP site). There is an UN Clinic in Addis and there are limited medical facilities in Addis that are equipped to deal with moderate medical cases. Evacuation opportunities are also limited but the official destination for medical evacuations – Nairobi, Kenya – both, in case of health as well as mental health complications and note that such travels are approved in line with rules and regulations of the UNHCR Medical Section. Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised.

The climate of Ethiopia and the regions varies greatly. It is temperate on the plateau and hot in the lowlands. Generally, the high elevation of the land affects one's adjustment to the environment. At Addis Ababa, which ranges from 2,200 to 2,600 m (7,218 to 8,530 ft), the maximum temperature is 26 °C (78.8 °F) and minimum 4 °C (39.2 °F). The weather is usually sunny and dry, but the short (belg) rains occur from February to April, and the large (meher) rains are from mid-June to mid-September. The economy of Ethiopia is a mixed and transition economy with a large public sector. The Government of Ethiopia is in the process of privatizing many of the state-owned businesses and moving toward a market economy. However, the banking, telecommunication, and transportation sectors of the economy are dominated by Government-owned companies.

The local currency is the Ethiopian Birr. Foreign currency may only be changed at authorized banks and hotels. The exchange of foreign currency outside the regulated banks (Black Market) is a criminal offense, and international UN personnel caught by police sting operations have been known to be arrested and detained for several days. Any entry or exit of cash in excess of US$3,000 (or the equivalent in other foreign currencies) must be declared to the customs authority. ATM cash withdrawals are largely available in Addis with withdrawal limit per day of 12,000 Birr from the Zemen Bank ATM. AMEX is generally not accepted. Payment with credit card is possible in a few selected shops and tourism areas, but this form of payment is expanding. There is acceptable access to communication means, such as the internet, telephone sim cards, etc. PAMA is also available at the Offices. Rental housing price ranges from USD1,600 to USD3,000 and higher, depending on the number of bedrooms and of course location. And it is also important to note that there is a custom of 3 to 6 months payment of rent in advance.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

EducationBachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science

Certifications

Work ExperienceAnnual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs

CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Additional Information Position is opened to ONLY Ethiopian nationals
 Women are strongly encouraged to apply in order to promote gender-balance within UNHCR.
 Candidates may be subjected to assessment (written or oral interview).

Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance