Liaison Assistant

Job Title: Liaison Assistant

Sector: Operations

Employment Category: Regular

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Job Description

BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian international NGOs, provides relief, rehabilitation and development support to vulnerable people and communities over 30 countries. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopia’s Somali region and are currently providing assistance to Ethiopians and refugees in six regions in Ethiopia, implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Job Overview

The Assistant Liaison Officer is responsible for Liaising closely with various governmental authorities, including but not limited to all ministries as appropriate, including NDRMC, RRS, INVEA, ACSO, MOLSA, NISS, INSA, MOH, MOF, MOFA, MOP, & other various sub-offices, and where required to facilitate smooth implementation of IRC’s programming in the geographic area of responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Proactively facilitate and advocate on IRC’s behalf with government authorities/officials to ensure that the desired outcomes for IRC’s activities in Ethiopia are achieved.
• Ensure active follow-up on outstanding applications with various government ministries, collaborate closely and address any issues at that level.
• In consultation with the senior liaison manager, maintain IRC’s relationship with key government institutions, and build smooth work relationship between the organization and other parties
• Run the flow of information to/from the supervisor and other senior staff; identifies priority matters that need to be urgently addressed by IRC.
• Draft correspondence, documents, reports, and ensures follow-up.
• Assist in ensuring appropriate links with the Government through establishment/maintenance of appropriate coordination and information exchange.
• Advise the supervisor on a continuing basis of relevant information on the outcome of discussions with external parties.
• Lead and keep track of the signature of MoUs at national level, required renewals of agreements in collaboration with the relevant departments (grants, HR, logistics, Finance)
• Build and maintain relationships with key technical managers and decision-makers in the government, different ministries and among local authorities.
• Promote IRC’s work and raise IRC image internally & externally at all levels.
• Liaise with Government institutions, to secure all required authorizations and permissions to facilitate smooth implementation of IRC’s programming.
• Providing timely progress report on the development & progress of given assignments with internal team members
• Follow up of work permit and visa renewal for expatriates with the support of the Liaison Manager
• Perform other related duties assigned by the supervisors

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

• Internal: Regular relationships with Liaison Manager, HR/Admin department, Finance, Supply chain, and the Director of Operations
• External: various governmental institution

Qualifications

• Education: BA degree in law, public administration, humanities, social sciences, or social works
• At least 1 year of proven experience
• knowledge of the Ethiopian system of government and administration.
• NGO experience is a plus.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Proficient English written and spoken.
• Proficient with using computers, especially Microsoft Office Word and Excel spreadsheets and Outlook.
• Self-driven, independent, and motivated.
• Attention to detail and ability to multi-task.
• Team spirit and problem-solving abilities.
• Remains productive when under pressure

Behavioral competencies

• Strong sense of personal integrity
• Demonstrates a detailed and efficient approach to work
• Relates and works well with people of different cultures, gender, and backgrounds
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills& presenting with impact and respect