Government Liaison Advisor

Background

Interpeace is an international organization for peacebuilding that supports locally led peacebuilding initiatives around the world. Interpeace tailors its approach to each society and ensures that the work is locally driven. Together with local partners and local teams, Interpeace jointly develops peacebuilding programmes and helps establish processes of change that connect local communities, civil society, government and the international community.

As a strategic partner of the United Nations, Interpeace is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and has offices around the world.

For more information about Interpeace, please visit www.interpeace.org

Ethiopia’s context

Ethiopia’s current context is marked by high degree of uncertainty and volatility. The Tigray conflict further securitized the peacebuilding work in Ethiopia. Government offices in Ethiopia are becoming more bureaucratic and the administrative hurdles have significantly increased against international NGOs like Interpeace. In addition, Interpeace agreed to work in close collaboration with Ministry of Peace (MoP) particularly on the Peace Index. The MoP has seen significant changes at the top brass of its leadership recently following the June 2021 national elections. These changes means Interpeace needs to have a dedicated, experienced Liaison Advisor to navigate successfully through the bureaucratic and administrative hurdles that may arise from Ministry of Peace or any other institutions and maintain existing relations, as part of implementation of interventions in Ethiopia.

Position within the Organization **

The Government Liaison Advisor will work on a consultancy contract. The Liaison Advisor reports to the Country Representative and liaises at a working level with colleagues at regional office, programme development & innovation and strategic partners.

The Government Liaison Advisor is responsible for the building and maintenance of relations with the Ministry of Peace and other government institutions and Interpeace potential partners (including National Dialogue Commission). This includes facilitating regular meetings between Interpeace staff and appropriate person(s) in different institutions, regular meetings with Interpeace staff, contributing for planning and implementation activities, providing regular political and security updates and engage in any other related activities up on request.

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic Engagement and communications:

· Provides support and advice to Interpeace on strategic engagement and communication strategy with MoP, other government institutions and potential and existing partners for Interpeace

· Facilitate smooth relationship between Interpeace and its partners in Ethiopia including the Ministry of Peace

· Maintains an acute awareness and analysis of political and social dynamics in the Ethiopia context which are relevant to Interpeace’s mandate and oversee the production of regular briefing notes for colleagues and other relevant stakeholders.

Qualifications:

· Candidates with relevant qualifications, experience, a tertiary degree, and fluent in English and Amharic

· Previous work experience at the senior level of government position is highly desirable

Relevant experience and qualifications may include:

Education

· Tertiary degree in international relations, political science, development, management, or related field

Experience

· Seven years years of relevant experience in peacebuilding, political and/or developmental studies.

· Professional experience working in government offices in Ethiopia preferably within the Ministry of Peace.

· Excellent knowledge of INGOs work in Ethiopia particularly those working on peacebuilding

· Excellent interpersonal communication

Scope **

· The assignment is for a total of 70 working days until December 2022.