US Government Affairs Liaison

The Partnerships and Liaison Group (PLG) is a corporate unit which supports UNOPS efforts in building closer ties with partners across the full spectrum of UNOPS activities. By forging strategic relationships and working with partners, both in the field and at headquarters, PLG seeks to ensure partners satisfaction with UNOPS project implementation and support. Based in Copenhagen, PLG has active liaison offices in New York, Geneva, Brussels,  Bangkok, Tokyo, Washington DC, Amman and Nairobi.

The Government Affairs Liaison is responsible for supporting the development of relations and visibility of UNOPS with the US Government (USG) and its institutions, primarily focusing on the State Department, Congress, US international development agencies, and other foreign assistance entities in Washington, DC. When necessary they will also assist in managing relations with the World Bank and Government of Canada. S/he is also seen as an essential link between UNOPS and influential think tanks, seeking to promote and advocate for UNOPS vision and mission. 

Under the guidance of the Head of the Washington Liaison Office, the Government Affairs Liaison will have the following functional responsibilities: 

1. Partnership development and planning with the USG
2. Supporting country offices follow up and implement  partnership opportunities
3. Strategic positioning of UNOPS with the USG 

1. Partnership development and planning

The incumbent is responsible to support the development and implementation of the UNOPS US Government partnership strategy. He/she will analyze UNOPS present status with the US Government and pursue partnership development opportunities. He/she will build on existing partnerships and ensure that activities undertaken improve the ability of UNOPS to provide value generating services to the US Government. 

• Monitor, analyze, and engage  with the annual congressional appropriations and policymaking process which focus on US Foreign Assistance. 
• Contribute to the identification, design, formulation, and negotiation of new projects and programs for discussion with key agencies
• Support development of relationships with Congress and key staff within US foreign assistance agencies, through a large network of key contacts institutions.  
• Support development of relationships with the Department of State, USAID, the US International Development Finance Corporation, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

2. Support country offices follow up and implement partnership opportunities

• Support UNOPS Country Offices in their partnerships with the USG and facilitate their participation in relevant USG events.
• In close cooperation with the Communications Group, develop UNOPS/USG capacity statements and relevant information materials. 
• Coordinate and collaborate with relevant partnerships personnel at local, liaison and HQ level, as well as project managers and project personnel of the country offices to ensure aligned and coherent interactions with partners covered by the Washington Liaison Office.
• Support developing framework agreements with relevant partner institutions to facilitate future cooperation and partnerships development opportunities
• Facilitate negotiations and contacts between USG and regional and country offices, where appropriate helping resolve issues that occur during implementation. 
• Understand and clearly communicate UNOPS mandate, value proposition, and policies to key partners.

3. Strategically position UNOPS with key influencers in Washington

• Support UNOPS senior leadership to promote the organisation at the highest levels of the USG  in both the executive and legislative branches, as well within key institutions, through advocacy and lobbying. 
• Facilitate high level meetings between senior management of UNOPS and USG partners.
• Support the organization of high-level speaking opportunities for UNOPS Executive Office and other members of the UNOPS Senior Leadership Team. 
• Organize key meetings with members of Congress, primarily with the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs
• Promote visibility and dialogue at key Washington think tanks, such as CSIS, Brookings, and the Centre for Global Development - providing thought leadership and contributing to substantive topic papers. Promote flagship initiatives which relate to these key think tanks.

Education: 

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Engineering, Political Science, Communications, International Relations or related studies.
• A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience:

• Min. 7 years of experience in one or the combination of the following areas: international relations; public affairs, program development, strategic relationship management, is required;
• Experience working with or lobbying the US executive and legislative branches is a requirement;
• Broad understanding of US Government legislative and appropriations process, specifically as it relates to US Foreign Assistance is a requirement;
• Experience in working with a range of stakeholders and donors is desirable;
• Broad understanding of UNOPS mission and its partners, UN, as well as UN mandate is an asset.

Language requirements: 

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

• Contract type: ICA
• Contract level: I-ICA 3
• Contract duration: open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.