LIAISON ASSISTANT

Contract

This is a G-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-6 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting The United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) provides critical Supply Chain, Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies services and Training to all Secretariat Entities, Peacekeeping and Special Political Missions, Agencies, Funds and Programmes of the UN system worldwide.

The position is located in the Cost Recovery and Coordination Services (CRCS) of the Office of the Chief (OoC) within the Service for Geospatial, Information and Telecommunication Technology (SGITT) at the UNGSC, Valencia, Spain.

The incumbent supports the Senior Liaison Assistant and the Head of Premises in managing the relationships between UNGSC and external entities, including Ministries, Embassies, Consulates, local authorities, institutions and associations, and the community at large contributing to the management of external and institutional relations in compliance with diplomatic international and national protocol rules. The incumbent assists senior personnel in the planning, development and organization of high-level visits and of UNGSC outreach programs and institutional events as well as of special community projects. The incumbent provides support and assistance in addressing, through diplomatic channels, any issues connected with the provisions of the Host Country Agreement and related Administrative Agreements. In particular, the incumbent provides a range of liaison support to entities and personnel hosted within the UNGSC facility in Valencia.

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Senior Liaison Assistant or other designated officer.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Liaison Assistant at G6 level is responsible for the following duties:

• Analyses information on local perceptions of communities on needs, concerns and aspirations with regards to the creation of conditions for sustainable peace.
• Coordinate information sharing on local conflict dynamics between the local, regional and national authorities and communities.
• Coordinate the setting up of communication networks and forums to increase the mission communication and interactions with local people, including through the support to outreach activities.
• Assist in the organization of outreach activities to promote good relations between the UNGSC and the population and to ensure accurate information dissemination on UNGSC role and mandate.
• Follow up on the implementation of proper mechanisms aimed at ensuring the smooth functioning of host country components with the UNGSC at the Facility.
• Provide advice on issues connected with Host Country Agreement (including Administrative Agreements and related provisions), organisations entitlements & UN Staff privileges and immunities.
• Liaise with military, humanitarian local regional and national authorities and communities in order to ensure constructive partnerships and accurate information dissemination on UNGSC role and mandate.
• Promote social cohesion in communities through sensitization sessions. Empower local community initiatives that result in cohesion and peace within communities in line with UN mandates.
• Produce thematic briefing papers required by Senior Management.
• Document accurately local political, socio-economic and related developments - Facilitate communication between UNGSC staff and the local communities including by supporting accurate translation.

• Performs other related duties as required.

  Competencies Professionalism: : Knowledge of local legal principles and institutional framework. Ability to gather, verify and evaluate information from a variety of sources. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

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. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification Training in Political Sciences, International Relations, Institutional Protocol or Foreign Languages is desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of seven (7) years of related work experience in liaison and protocol support to senior management is required.

Experience in working in the United Nations or similar international organization is desirable.

Experience in the establishment of effective working relationships and partnerships with host government and authorities is desirable.

Experience in the management of difficult and sensitive situations is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency (both oral and written) in both English and Spanish is required.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice Applicants for the General Service and related positions must be authorized to work in the country where the position is located.

A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Applicants who are Spanish nationals or nationals of a member state of the European Union need to upload a copy of their national passport. All other applicants need to have a valid work permit for Spain and need to upload a copy of such work permit. All other applicants, except current UNGSC staff members in Brindisi and Valencia, need to provide a Criminal Records Certificate ("Certificado de antecedentes penales", "Certificato dei Carichi Pendenti" or "Certificato del Casellario Giudiziale"). Attachments need to be uploaded in Step 8 of the online application.

United Nations Considerations According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.