Liaison Officer (National position)-Sana'a

Sanaa

Organization: NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council
Location: Sanaa
Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
- External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
- Other
Closing Date: Closed

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a non-governmental, humanitarian organization with 60 years of experience in helping to create a safer and more dignified life for refugees and internally displaced people. NRC advocates for the rights of displaced populations and offers assistance within the shelter, education, emergency food security, legal assistance, and water,sanitation and hygiene sectors.

The Norwegian Refugee Council has approximately 5000 committed and competent employees involved in projects across four continents. In addition, NRC runs one of the world’s largest standby rosters -NORCAP, with 650 professionals, ready to be deployed on 72 hours notice when a crisis occurs

Liaison Officer will primarily be responsible for coordinating sub-agreements with authorities, mandatory as well as ad hoc reporting to authorities, and problem solving in relation to sub-agreements and reports. S/he shall be responsible for developing and maintaining healthy relationships with local authorities, within the confines of humanitarian principles. At all times, the incumbent shall have demonstrated commitment to projecting a positive image of NRC and its brand through – among other things: effective communication about needs of displaced populations, accurate presentation of the work of NRC and how NRC makes or seeks to make a difference, and humanitarian principles. To the extent relevant for accomplishing the foresaid, the incumbent will represent NRC at relevant coordination meetings with key stakeholders at various levels. The incumbent shall also build the capacity of others to ensure that sub-agreements and reports to authorities are timely and of high quality.

Job description

Key responsibilities
Overall coordination in representing NRC with the Government entities and other key stakeholders in the targeted areas including fostering healthy and effective relationship with them:
Lead in the preparation of agreements, Sub-Agreements and MoUs, and facilitate the timely signature of NRC Principle Agreement, Sub-Agreements, MoUs and any other relevant agreements between NRC and the government.
Compile and submit the required monthly/quarterly/biannual and annual reports to relevant government authorities, ensuring adherence to NRC’s policies, procedure and donor requirements.
In consultation with Access Advisor and Safety and Security Department, process and obtain permits for team’s movements and permits for program operation and activities implementation in the targeted areas with the relevant stakeholders and government authorities.
Closely coordinate with the HR/Admin on submission of and follow up on VISA applications, exit/entry visas, residence permits and work permits for international staff.
Assist staff to plan for and process permits and obtain approvals for training, workshop and event requests according to procedures set by authorities.
Coordinate timely and accurate response to government orders, information, documents and letters related to NRC’s program.
From time to time conduct supportive field visits to Area and field offices and other project activities; and produce back-to-office reports within one week.
Maintain a complete, up-to-date and orderly archive for all sub-agreement, reports and official communication with authorities, - electronically, in accordance with NRC Yemen’s filing tree; and in hard copy, in accordance with principles of effective document management.

Others tasks:
Develop and maintain awareness of relevant governmental laws, policies and procedures that has significant impact on NRC’s operation in the targeted areas:
Keep abreast and monitor of policies and procedure developments in relevant government bodies and regularly and internally share summaries on changes impacts on NRC and its program and to support NRC compliance with domestic legislation and guidance.
Coordinate with other INGOs to analyze and document best practices for engaging with the local authorities and obtaining programs/projects approvals.
Regularly (or on an ad hoc basis) internally discuss bureaucratic impediments suffered by NRC’s field offices in the target areas, and follow up issues with respective bodies.
Review any incoming and outgoing letters written in Arabic before it reaches to the intended stakeholder.
Translate and share relevant policy and procedures of Yemen government to create an awareness of their requirements among senior staff and to support compliance.

Qualifications

University degree in public or business administration or other relevant social sciences.
3-4 years’ experience from working in government relations for a humanitarian organization.
Experience of liaison and representation with senior level authorities.
Demonstrated diplomatic communication skills with ability to build a strong network with a variety of stakeholders.
Able to do required regular travel within a designated Local Authority area and may also require travel outside the area, thus flexibility is required to meet this need as it appears.
Ability to engage and influence government authorities and its departments to achieve results.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively advocate on behalf of NRC.
Native Arabic speaker and advanced English language skills.
Knowledge of humanitarian principles, standards and other humanitarian related issues.
Demonstrated high attention to details.
Demonstrated competencies in drafting letters in Arabic.

Education field

Administration / Organisation / Management

Education level

College / University, Bachelor's degree

Personal qualities

Handling insecure environments.
Planning and delivering results.
Empowering and building trust.
Emotionally intelligent.
Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.
Ability to absorb complex written and verbal information and communicate effectively.
Ability to strengthen effective working relationships at all levels.
Knowledge of the context in Yemen.
Competent in written and spoken English and Arabic.
Experience working with government, local authorities, humanitarian actors, migrants, host community and displaced populations (IDPs, Returnees and Refugees).
Good knowledge of governance and administrative structures within Yemen.
Knowledge of Yemen legislation and policies related to INGO work in the country.
Knowledge of humanitarian coordination mechanisms, international NGO and UN mandates.