Associate Liaison Officer (EU)

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Associate Liaison Officer (EU)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Supervision is exercised by the Head of Unit (Policy & Legal Support) who provides regular guidance and defines operational objectives. The incumbent may supervise some support staff.  S/he is expected to give, obtain and exchange information requiring discussions at senior level and his/her feedback will also be sought on non-routine matters. Contacts are predominantly with persons on subject matters of importance to the Organization's programmes (e.g. counterparts in other organizations or at working level in European Institutions, NGOs etc.).

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Effective networks and relations are maintained with a view to advancing UNHCR¿s protection agenda.
- UNHCR¿s advocacy is effectively delivered and impacts are achieved.

Responsibility
- Assist in maintaining relations and the co-ordination of activities with the European Institutions, NGOs, other UN agencies, in order to promote /implement UNHCR¿s objectives and activities.
- Help develop effective and dynamic networks with key contacts in the European Institutions, NGO sector, EU agency liaison offices and other key actors at EU-Level.
- Provide assistance in managing and in the development of relationships and programmes with NGO Partners based in Brussels.
- Assist in the development of policy and initiatives on identified priority issues. Monitors the development of these policies and practices.
- Report quickly to keep colleagues abreast of key developments at EU level and assist communications colleagues in the development of lines on key issues.
- Support in the organisation and implementation of seminars or training programmes for target groups (key officials, parliamentarians etc.)
- Assist in the preparation of high level missions to Brussels including through drafting speeches, talking points and background materials.
- Contribute to the drafting of speeches, talking points and other materials for senior colleagues participating in events in Brussels or elsewhere on EU-related matters.
- Assist in responding to queries from the European Institutions, NGOs, individuals, etc. and provide the information required or appropriately refer the queries elsewhere.
- Contribute to the advancement of protection for persons of concern to UNHCR through advocacy on law, policy and practice.  Assist in the promotion of accessions to key Conventions and laws by Member States and institutions in the field of asylum and statelessness.
- Assist the Head of Policy and Legal Support Unit (PLUS) in preparation of statements that represent UNHCR¿s overall policies and which highlight specific areas of concern, ensuring that the Head of PLUS is prepared for meetings/missions by providing relevant information and establishing contacts.
- Performs other related duties as required.

Authority
- Propose which key contacts/counterparts to approach and which activities to prioritize for policy/advocacy initiatives.
- Implement all aspects of an outreach and advocacy strategy involving the European Institutions, NGOs and other key actors.
- Develop relations with the European Institutions, NGOs and key agencies based in Brussels. 
- Represent UNHCR on behalf of senior management at events at the European Institutions, with NGOs, key agencies and at inter-agency initiatives and fora.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Law, International Law, Political Sciences or related field plus minimum 3 years of previous work experience relevant to the function. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s) plus 2 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 1 year of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Pre-existing knowledge of the EU framework, including familiarity with EU institutions as well as with key issues in the EU context.
- Proven experience of policy development, analytical, communication and drafting skills (written and oral). 
- Demonstrable experience of working with external interlocutors, including NGOs, Civil Society, States and so on.
- Excellent knowledge of both English and French.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.
- Knowledge of additional relevant UN or local languages. C001L2 - Accountability Level 2
C002L2 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 2
C003L2 - Communication Level 2
C004L2 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 2
C005L2 - Client & Result Orientation Level 2
C006L2 - Organizational Awareness Level 2
X001L2 - Analytical Thinking Level 2
X005L2 - Planning and Organizing Level 2
X008L2 - Stakeholder Management Level 2 <p>The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific security and welfare profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). These profiles have been specifically designed to answer some of the key questions (on security conditions, medical provisions, staff welfare, living and working conditions) potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care. This project is still in the pilot phase, and as such some of the information leaflets are being produced as we speak and might not be available yet. They will be soon, so keep checking. 

Exposure to EU parliamentary, political and legislative institutions and framework;
Demonstrated drafting skills in English; and
Ability to come up with innovative and creative solutions to operational challenges. A large scale reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) is currently underway in response to the events in 2015 when over one million refugees and migrants arrived in Europe. Despite indicators that the numbers of people arriving were increasing, the extent to which they escalated caught many countries in Europe unprepared, and chaos prevailed.  The capacity of Member States and the CEAS were severely tested. Fragmented responses emerged amongst EU Member States.  Some took measures to restrict access of refugees and migrants to their territories and to shift the responsibility on neighbouring countries.  Although several made efforts to welcome refugees, the lack of a common EU response led to seemingly intractable policy dilemmas. 
There is currently a lack of consensus among EU Member States with respect to solidarity in responding to refugee and migration movements and a focus at the political level on reducing the numbers of arrivals to the EU. UNHCR has expressed concern at the lack of access to territory and protection procedures in Europe. Much remains to be done to develop asylum procedures and reception capacity within the EU and in neighbouring countries including in the Western Balkans. Commitments by European States to resettlement and other pathways for safe travel remain low and many European States are making little to no investments to support the integration of refugees. In December 2016, UNHCR set out a series of proposals for Europe to better respond to the current situation. Excellent working and Living conditions. Brussels (Belgium) is a European capital and a H family duty station.
For more details on working & Living Conditions in Belgium, see on intranet at:
https://intranet.unhcr.org/content/intranet/unhcr/en/home/staff_resources/administrative_forms/living-conditions-in-the-field---publications/_jcr_content/mainpar/multidownload/multidownloadItems/multidownloadfile_18/file/file.res/Living%20Conditions%20Brussels%202013-08-26%20x.pdf Brussels does not face any particular security concerns, but like all major cities may be subject to indiscriminate terrorist acts. In light of the current gender balance within the PLUS Unit in Brussels at the P grade level, applications from female candidates are welcome.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add.4 to March 2018 Compendium is Wednesday 5 Septembe 2018 (midnight Geneva time).