Government Liaison Officer FT at NOB Level, Re-advertised VA

WFP is looking for a highly qualified Government Liaison Officer who will support in developing and maintaining WFP’s relationships with national and sub-national government entities in Sudan.

Job Posting Information

Opening date: 18/09/2019

Closing date: 02/10/2019

To apply, please create a personal account and fill out the profile form with your personal information at http://www1.wfp.org/careers/job-openings. If you are an internal applicant, apply through your E-Recruitment profile.

In the application form, ensure filling the mandatory sections, attaching your CV, answering the pre-screening questions and agreeing on the legal statement before submitting your application.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis on account of potential and performance. All applicants will undergo a rigorous process which includes screening against job requirements, a technical test, and a panel interview.

We look for applicants with the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian values. We commit to promote diversity, gender parity and equality between men and women.

WFP strives to build a work environment that is safe and respectful, and free of sexual harassment and abuse of authority. We believe in open communication, and every individual at WFP is treated with respect regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religious and political beliefs, etc.

In this pursuit, WFP assists women to balance work exigencies with personal and family responsibilities by providing an attractive compensation package, including fully paid maternity leave for 16 weeks, breastfeeding time off, and the possibility to avail of flexible working arrangements. Also, we endeavour to provide our staff, women, and men, with training and professional career development opportunities.

Under the general supervision of the Country Director, you will report directly to the Senior Government Liaison Officer as deputy in WFP’s Government Liaison Office. You will work in close partnership with different managers in different WFP offices across Sudan. You will be expected to perform a broad range of liaison and partnership activities requiring a thorough understanding of WFP’s relationship (as a part of the United Nations Country Team) with the Government of Sudan.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Assist WFP’s senior management team in developing and maintaining amicable and productive relationships with relevant national and sub-national government entities, and with other influential stakeholders;
• Draft official letters in Arabic to communicate formally with relevant government bodies;
• Ensure that Arabic/English translation of relevant documents are factually and grammatically correct;
• Maintain a contact list of national and sub-national stakeholders and ensure the Country Director and Deputy Country Directors are kept updated on any changes to the structures of government at both levels, highlighting also the implication of those changes on WFP operation;
• Maintain notes, files, and records related to any legal cases involving WFP in Sudan;
• Facilitate and follow up on all meetings with government at the national level;
• Ensure any obstacles to Protocol services are addressed and overcome;
• Manage the Government Liaison Office in the absence of the Senior Government Liaison Officer;

Undertake any other duties prescribed by the Senior Government Liaison Officer

To be successful in this role we expect the candidate to have a Minimum of 5 years of experience, preferably in a similar role in another UN agency, or in a Government department responsible for relationships with the UN and a B.Sc. in law, public administration, political science or equivalent.

• Experience working in UN operations in Sudan;
• Knowledge of the conventions and basic agreements defining the relationship between the UN and the Government of Sudan;
• Knowledge of governance and administrative structures of the Government of Sudan;
• Demonstrated competencies in drafting official letters in Arabic;
• Excellent communication and diplomacy skills;
• Good negotiation skills;
• Ability to operate and work independently;
• Detail oriented and strong organizational skills;
• Arabic and English (fluent).

• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality;
• Ability to partner with managers, understand WFP’s goals and recommend approaches, policies and procedures to enable the best delivery of WFP activities;
• Proactive working style and ability to learn and adapt quickly;
• Good organizational skills, initiative, client-orientation and solution orientation;
• Tact, courtesy and good communication skills to give and receive information and work with a variety of individuals with different national and cultural backgrounds in a team environment.

• Has implemented the resource mobilisation work plan by delivering specific activities as defined
• Has provided direction to one or more junior staff members within area of expertise
• Has participated and assisted in negotiations for contributions and partnership agreements with donors and host governments, in line with internal policies and external regulations
• Has assisted in drafting resourcing analysis and collaborated with accurate and timely briefs as well as reporting to donors