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Government Liaison Officer, NOB, FTA

Kyiv

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Kyiv
  • Grade: Junior level - NO-B, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Political Affairs
    • Democratic Governance
    • External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
  • Closing Date: 2023-05-24
Background

This position is for Ukraine nationals ONLY
 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
 
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the development arm of the United Nations, UNDP supports strategic capacity development initiatives to promote inclusive growth and sustainable human development. Through partnerships with national, regional, and local governments, civil society, and the private sector, UNDP strives to support Ukraine in its efforts to eliminate poverty, develop people’s capacity, achieve equitable results, sustain the environment, and advance democratic governance. 

In Ukraine, UNDP has been working since 1993 with the Government and local authorities, with partners across the UN system, with civil society and with local communities to help identify and develop targeted solutions to the country’s development challenges.  We work in close collaboration with several key ministries, departments and agencies in a robust, integrated manner in three thematic priorities/portfolios:

  1. Inclusive Development, Recovery and Peacebuilding,
  2. Democratic Governance, and
  3. Energy and Environment.

Since 24 February 2022, complex humanitarian, development, and peace challenges have been emerging in Ukraine, underscoring the importance of programming that responds to the multiple dimensions of the crisis. In April 2022, UNDP launched the Resilience Building and Recovery Framework  for Ukraine grounded in working in close partnership with various government and development partner. The need for enhanced crisis/emergency coordination and response planning between the central government, the oblasts/rayons and other stakeholders (international community, CSOs, private sector) is becoming more and more critical for Ukraine to ensure delivery of services and build stronger resilience of the receiving/host communities and of the displaced. 

In this context, UNDP within the framework of its Resilience Building an Recovery programme is recruiting a professional with relevant experience and a track record for the position of a Government Liaison Officer.

The incumbent will promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance for any kind of discriminatory and abusive behavior, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Duties and Responsibilities
1.) Ensure appropriate mechanisms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of information both in and outside the UNDP and particularly with  national governmental and non-governmental counterparts to support advocacy and implementation of UNDP programme.
  • Establish and maintain close contacts with the Government, sub-national authorities, local NGOs, etc.;
  • Assists senior management and leadership with strategic planning for known and potential regulatory and policy activities related to the resilience building, recovery and development of the country;
  • Assess implications and make recommendations to UNDP on possible policies, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives;
  • Ensure the follow-up work with the Government in support of the UNDP programmes/projects, including providing secretariat support in meetings and events, that are organized by the Governmental counterparts, as well as support with state registration of projects as per government regulations;
  • Support in convening the officials’ meetings and help prepare the required documentation in advance of the meetings, including drafting talking points and speeches for UNDP officials 
  • Interact closely with UNDP personnel in preparing summary and analytical documents, including reports, notes, talking points and other official communications.
  • Help identify entry points for further enhancing UNDP-Government collaboration across different strategic partner institutions;
2) Liaise with government institutions to ensure synergy and to promote effective implementation of the projects and communication with UNDP representatives. 
  • Responds to queries from Government Officials, NGOs, individuals, etc. and provides the information required or appropriately refers the queries elsewhere. 
  • Schedule regular check-ins with government counterparts and support in organizing joint events;
  • Ensure full alignment of UNDP programme with government priorities; 
  • Consult and cooperate with partners to develop strategies and recommendations to address recovery related challenges, including preparation of the Action plan on post-war recovery of Ukraine, in pursuit of shared objectives;
  • Contribute to resource mobilization efforts by ensuring inpus on the strategic development priorities of the Government;
  • Participate in work groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on development and emergency relief-related matters as assigned;
3) Perform liaison role in an accountable manner, including timely production of accurate situational update and timely follow-up of identified priority actions.
  • Maintain a contact list of national and sub-national stakeholders and ensure the UNDP CO senior management team is kept updated on any changes to the structures of government at both levels, highlighting also the implication of those changes on UNDP operation;
  • Maintain an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues;
  • Facilitate and follow up on all meetings with government at the national level;
  • Analyze and select materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders;
  • Generate new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
  • Draft official letters in English and Ukrainian to communicate formally with relevant government bodies;
  • Ensure any obstacles to Protocol services are addressed and overcome.
Competencies
Core

Achieve Results:

 

 LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:

 

 LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 

Learn Continuously

 

 LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility 

 

 LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
Act with Determination  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner

 

 LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

 

 LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Thematic Area Name Definition
Business direction and strategy  Negotiation and Influence  Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and create ‘win-win’ situations.
Business direction and strategy  Strategic Thinking 

Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.

Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP  
Business Development  Knowledge Facilitation  Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally
Business management  Partnerships Management  Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies 
Business management Communication  Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.
Business management Risk management Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks. 
Partnership management Relationship managemen Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

 
Required Skills and Experience
Education

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Public health, Political Sciences, Population Studies, Education and/or related Social Sciences field.

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Public health, Political Sciences, Population Studies, Education and/or related Social Sciences field, with 2 additional years of experience, could be considered in lieu of Master´s Degree.
 Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
  • Minimum 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant   progressively responsible experience in the area of political, reporting and/or government liaison in project/programme implementation, at the national or international level, is required.
  • Proven experience in the field of governmental strategic planning, communication with international technical assistance projects is desirable.
  • Prior experience with the government institutions at managing positions will be considered as an asset.  
  • Familiarity with UN procedures and working methods, particularly with UNDP’s agenda, policies and procedures is desirable. 
  • Strong coordination and organizational skills.
  • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
  • Sound knowledge of the social and cultural realities of the county and region. 
  • Strong research and analytical skills.
  • Fluency in English and Ukrainian.
  • Demonstrated experience in building the capacity of national entities in the context of development programme is desirable. 
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

 
Disclaimer
 
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
 
Non-discrimination
 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  
 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
 
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