Liaison Officer, P-3, Representative Office of New York

Org. Setting and Reporting
UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff
working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to
make a change.
If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the
most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you.
The Liaison Officer reports to to the Director UNRWA Representative Office in New York.
Responsibilities
– Provides general support to the work of the Office in New York by attending and
representing UNRWA at meetings, at UNHQ and elsewhere, and drafting concise analytical
reports on contents of the discussions as appropriate to the Agency, and in particular as focal
point and liaison in the following areas: UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG),
Commission on the Status of Women, Department of Development Coordination (DCO),
gender equality, youth and persons with disabilities.
– Assists in outreach and raising awareness of the situation of UNRWA and the Palestine
refugees including by preparing, coordinating and supporting meetings and other events held
for UN Member States and/or other stakeholders with a view to generate political and
financial support for the Agency.
– Supports preparations for official meetings, visits and coordination and logistics related to
events, including the yearly UNRWA Pledging conference.
– Assesses implications and makes recommendations to senior management on possible
policies, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated
objectives and UN principles and values; monitors, and reports on outcomes.
– Engages regularly with the UN Common System colleagues and counterparts, Government
representatives as well as other relevant parties as appropriate with a view to develop and
maintain productive effective working relations.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of events by monitoring relevant documents and reports,
identifying problems and issues to be addressed and liaising with relevant stakeholders.
– Recruits and daily supervises of interns, including providing guidance and editing their
work.
– Substitutes for the Senior Liaison Officer during his/her absence.
Competencies
UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core
Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by
default.
i. Relating and Networking
ii. Formulating Strategies and Concepts
iii. Planning and Organizing
iv. Deciding and Initiating Action
v. Analyzing
For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.
org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational
institution in social sciences, economics, international relations, business or public
administration, law, or humanitarian and development studies, political affairs, or related
field.
Job Specific Qualifications
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in, political
affairs, international affairs, diplomacy, human rights or related area is required
Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a
candidate for an international post must have at least two continuous years of relevant
international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate
is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number, is required.
Experience in political outreach, analysis and reporting is required.
Knowledge of the Palestinian question, including its refugee dimension, as well as
familiarity with government and legislative processes, is desirable.
Familiarity with the United Nations system and practices is desirable
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational
institution in social sciences, economics, international relations, business or public
administration, law, or humanitarian and development studies, political affairs, or related field
is required.
Languages
Excellent command of written and spoken English.
Working knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be
followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension.
The Liaison Officer may be required to travel in the Agency’s area of operations.
Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in Inspira in order to be
considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the
requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered.
UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.
A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become
eligible for a temporary appointment to the same post or a similar post.
Equivalency:
Equivalency may apply.
NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not
considered an acceptable combination.
UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states,
regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA
is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the
difficult circumstances in which they live.
For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/