Senior Liaison Officer P-4, Washington DC (Temporary Job Opening)

Assists the Director, UNRWA Representative Office, Washington DC to represent the
interests of UNRWA vis-à-vis US government and non-governmental entities, with particular
reference to the US executive and legislative branches of government by:
– Participating in the active and regular engagement with relevant US executive branch
agencies and the US congress including its members and their staffs to advance understanding
of UNRWA’s role in the context of the regional issues of the Middle East, the Agency’s
operations and the situation of Palestine refugees in the five fields and globally.
– Clarifying UNRWA’s mission, positions, programmes, initiatives and institutional practices,
including its application of the humanitarian principles, and explaining the evolving
challenges confronting the Agency.
– Building and sustaining partnerships with international organisations headquartered in the
US, national and local non-profit institutions; maintains awareness and support, including
organizing or attending special events.
– Updates the results framework in line with the project proposals including elements like
indicators, outputs, and outcomes.
• Supports the building of institutional relationships with relevant US government and nongovernmental
entities, maintaining and managing these relationships in the interests of
Palestine refugees and UNRWA.
• Monitors on daily basis relevant developments in the US congress and US political
ecosystem, with a view to formulating and leading the implementation of an outreach and
advocacy strategy dedicated to optimizing UNRWA’s relations with the US congress the
executive branch, and non-governmental agencies.
• In close consultation with relevant UNRWA colleagues, supports the drafting, preparation
and presentation of materials required for briefings to congress, executive branch agencies,
the media and other non-governmental agencies in the Washington, DC or broader US setting.
• Supports the implementation of UNRWA’s resource mobilization and strategic
communications framework.
• Arranges and supports visits to Washington, DC by senior UNRWA officials.
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.
– Analyzing
– Persuading and Influencing
– Deciding and Initiating Action
– Creating and Maintaining Impact and Partnership
– Managing Complexity and Change
For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.
org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI
Education
An advanced university (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in
political science, public administration, business administration, or a related field.
Job Specific Qualifications
Work Experience
At least eight years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in political or
administrative affairs utilizing professional skills relevant to the responsibilities of this post, is
required.
Experience in advocacy and outreach with Washington DC-based US government or nongovernmental
agencies or entities is essential 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.
Knowledge of the Middle East context and Palestine refugee issues is desirable.
Languages
– Excellent command of written and spoken English.
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: Temporary Appointment for 6 months, with the possibility of
further extension subject to availability of funds, need and performance.
The Senior Liaison Officer, Representative Office, Washington DC will reside in
Washington, DC, and may be required to travel to UNRWA areas of operation in Gaza,
Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank.
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:
A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying
experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
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/