UNDP Jobs - 48516- Political Liaison Officer

Political Liaison Officer

Location :

Geneva, SWITZERLAND

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2014

Application Deadline :

19-Aug-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

9 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

9 Months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 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.

Background

UNDP is at the center of the development-disaster relationship and has, over the last decade, taken a leading role in support of national efforts to reduce disaster risk. With its focus on poverty eradication and mandate from the General Assembly to prevent, mitigate and prepare for disaster. UNDP has been assisting national governments and local communities to operationalize the priorities and goals of the HFA. At the country level, UNDP has championed the integration of risk reduction into development through increased risk awareness, comprehensive risk reduction across sectors, and practical disaster preparedness to manage risk. The common thread linking these actions has been the need for better, risk-sensitive development.

The coming 10-16 months represent a unique opportunity for the DRR community to affirm the relationship between disasters and development. In addition to HFA2, which will launch at the World Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) in Japan in March 2015, a number of other global frameworks will also be negotiated and agreed upon in 2015, including the follow up framework to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – the Sustainable Development Goals - and a possible successor agreement to the Kyoto climate change accord. This rare convergence of global frameworks, representing disasters, development and climate change respectively, is an opportunity to ensure that development and disaster risk reduction are integrated. UNDP’s role in the WCDRR and Post-2015 discussions, coupled with engagement at other global forums, offer an opportunity for UNDP to undertake a strategic communications and advocacy campaign targeting Member States and partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Functions:

The consultant is expected to support the effective organization and management of WCDRR, providing a range of inter-related communication and liaison functions:

Act as focal point for day-to-day WCDRR organization and planning;
Support the development and implementation of event, advocacy and communications strategy up to and beyond the WCDRR;
Liaison with all internal and external stakeholders regarding the WCDRR;
Provide communications support to the WCDRR strategy and related work;
Undertake direct advocacy with key stakeholders regarding the WCDRR, HFA2 and related work in and around the SDGs and climate agreements;
Support the development and implementation of key advocacy events;
Provide general support to the office across a range of advocacy and related issues and events.

Deliverables:

WCDRR Planning and Organisation

Support the development and implementation of the entire WCDRR (and related) plan of action;
Organize and attending internal working level meetings in terms of preparation of the November 2014 Prepcom meeting, regional meetings and SENDAI WCDR conference;
Work with the team in organization of all aspects of the Sendai event, from strategy through to logistics.
Support the development and implementation of an advocacy and communications strategy for UNDP for WCDRR/HFA2 and beyond to the SDGs;

Advocacy:

Advocate directly with key stakeholders, especially member-states, regarding UNDP’s position on HFA2 and its relationship with development. Use this information to further inform and refine our position running up to and beyond WCDRR;
Plan, prepare and implement advocacy events in support of UNDP position;
Prepare dedicated briefings for member-states and other stakeholders, and to support major events (such as the second prepcomm);
Provide oversight on the production of WCDRR related publications and processes, both research and outreach;
Prepare and implement a dedicated outreach strategy leading up to and beyond the WCDRR, including engaging senior management, articles and briefings, social media etc.

Policy Advice:

Continually scan the policy environment around disaster, climate and development (including emerging global architecture in and around the 2015 policy agenda) continually exploring new channels for advocacy and raising UNDP profile;
Prepare background material to support UNDP’s engagement with these issues.

Competencies

Functional Competencies

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

In-depth knowledge of the Subject-matter;
Understands more advanced aspects of crisis prevention and recovery as well as the fundamental concepts of DRR/climate and their relationship with development;
Keeps abreast of new developments in area of crisis prevention and recovery and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments.

Client Orientation:

Contributing to positive outcomes for the client;
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;.
Keeps the client informed of problems or delays in the provision of services.

Core Competencies

Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity;

Demonstrates and promotes the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work and status;

Organizational Awareness:

Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
Understands the structure and hierarchy of UN/UNDP, process flows throughout the organization, products and services, their measures of effectiveness, and perceptions of clients;

Developing & Empowering People/Coaching and Mentoring:

Takes appropriate risk in developing new or adapting existing methods and approaches to more effectively perform tasks or to solve problems in new and unique ways.

Working in Teams:

Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
Works collaboratively with colleagues inside UN/UNDP as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
Delivers verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easily understood manner.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A Masters’ Degree (or above) in disaster management, international relations, development, public administration, geography, cartography.

Professional Experience:

At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in disaster risk reduction/ management and/or preparedness for response;
Experience in engaging with partners and UN agencies;
Professional experience with the UN system is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Proficient level of English and French, both oral and written, is required;
Proven academic-level writing skills in English.