NGO LIAISON OFFICER, P4

The post is located in the Office of the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), in the Political Affairs and Partnerships Section, NGO Liaison Unit.
		Responsibilities
	Under the supervision of the Chief of the Political Affairs and Partnerships Section, the NGO Liaison Officer will be responsible for the following duties: - I. Providing advice, guidance and substantive support to the Director-General in the maintenance of relations with NGOs, including keeping abreast of United Nations and NGO activities; assessing their impact on the work of the Organization and reporting to the Director-General; providing advice and guidance on requests from NGOs; providing advice for courses of action and responses; and preparing material for the Director-General’s meetings and speaking engagements on NGO-related matters.  - II. Assuming responsibility for facilitating and strengthening partnerships between UNOG and NGOs, especially those in consultative status with ECOSOC (United Nations Economical and Social Council), including providing Divisions and Services at UNOG, United Nations Secretariat entities, in particular the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, specialized agencies staff and Permanent Missions with guidance on policy matters, as well as politically-sensitive issues, related to the participation of NGOs and other non-state actors in the work of the United Nations in Geneva; participating, with substantives departments, in the elaboration of strategies to integrate NGOs in activities taking place at UNOG; supporting coordination among officials dealing with NGOs at UNOG and Geneva-based United Nations entities; and contributing to the conceptualization, organization and implementation of joint efforts with civil society actors in support of United Nations priorities.  - III. Overseeing the provision of support and assistance to NGO representatives, in particular those in consultative status with ECOSOC, including providing information, advice, guidance and assistance to NGO representatives on substantive issues and on how to contribute effectively to the work of the United Nations; organizing consultations between United Nations officials and NGO representatives; assisting in making arrangements for meetings organized by NGOs at UNOG, representing UNOG at these meetings, reporting on them and carrying out necessary follow-up action; participating in seminars, workshops and conferences; speaking to groups and organizations on partnerships between the United Nations and NGOs; supervising or carrying out accreditation procedures and facilitating participation of NGOs in various United Nations meetings and conferences, including the Geneva-based human rights machinery; liaising with the relevant authorities of the Host Country concerning NGO-related matters, including the granting of visas; and providing information and advice on requests to set up an office in Switzerland or receive assistance from the Host Country.  - IV. Overseeing the administrative aspects of the work of the Unit, including organizing internships on issues related to NGOs and civil society, and supervising the compilation of workload statistics and other documents for administrative purposes.  - V.  Performing other functions at the request of the Director-General, Chef de Cabinet and/or Chief of Section.
		Competencies
	Professionalism: - Knowledge of United Nations mandates and activities concerning the participation of NGOs in the work of the Organization; - Ability to advise senior officials on sensitive issues in relation to the work of NGOs with the United Nations, including the ability to present and defend difficult positions; - Ability to assess trends in the work of NGOs and their relationship with the United Nations, and advise on possible courses of action; - Shows pride in work and in achievements; - Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; - Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; - Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; - Remains calm in stressful situations.  Accountability: -Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; -Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; -Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; -Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; -Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.  Client Orientation: -Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; -Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; -Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; -Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; -Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects.  Vision: -Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; -Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; -Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; -Conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. Judgement/ Decision-making: -Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; -Gathers relevant information before making a decision; -Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; -Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; -Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; -Checks assumptions against facts; -Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; -Makes tough decisions when necessary.
		Education
	An advanced university degree in international relations, political science, law, human rights, social development or related field. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
		Work Experience
	A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in international relations, political affairs, human rights, law, social development or related area. Experience with the work of national or international NGOs in relation to the United Nations is highly desirable.
		Languages
	Fluency in English or French, with working knowledge of the other.  Knowledge of another United Nations language would be an advantage.

https://inspira.un.org/psc/UNCAREERS/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Page=UN_JOB_DETAIL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=29451