Senior Government Liaison Associate

Deadline for Applications
November 19, 2026
Hardship Level
H (no hardship)
Family Type
Family
Residential location (if applicable)
Grade
GS7
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
General Service
Reason
Regular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date
2027-01-01
Standard Job Description
Senior Government Liaison Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Government Liaison Associate is a member of the Government Liaison Unit. S/he normally reports to the (Senior) Government Liaison Officer. The incumbent receives regular guidance and advice from the supervisor. S/he participates in all meetings/working groups related to the Government and to provide support on coordination work on common processes.
Under the supervision of the (Senior) Government Liaison Officer, the responsibilities of the Senior Government Liaison Associate is to give, obtain and exchange information requiring discussions and explanations both to UNHCR staff members, Government authorities and other external parties on subject matters which may be of importance to the Organization. The incumbent may supervise some support staff.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
\- Assist the supervisor in the establishment of close working relations with officials in various ministries especially Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
\- Monitor evolving issues concerning asylum seekers, stateless persons and refugees within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
\- Analyse news and political activities and their implication to the Operation. Report on local and international developments which may have a political or operational impact on the office's relationship with the Government, including latest developments with regard to the implementation of the GCR, UN reform etc.
\- Inform the supervisor and/or other senior managers (as applicable) on a continuing basis of relevant information on the outcome of discussions with government authorities on various issues.
\- Provide support to senior management in dealing with the challenges posed by the political context, developments with the Government and issues related to humanitarian and development processes.
\- Accompany the Representative/Deputy Representative/Head of Office and Headquarters visitors on missions and meetings.
\- Assist in preparation for different visits and missions to the Operation.
\- Draft correspondence, reports and assists in the drafting of briefing notes, background material, talking points, facts sheets as required.
\- Manage budget, when requested, including tracking expenditures.
\- Initiate upon request of the supervisor the contact with the relevant external parties on various issues.
\- Coordinate with different units in the office that information presented to government authorities is duly verified and endorsed by the supervisor.
\- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
\- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G7 - 4 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Political/Social Science;
Business Administration;
or other relevant field;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk\* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.
Desirable
Good knowledge of UNHCR operations and good political awareness.
Functional Skills
CO-Cross-cultural communication
CO-Drafting and Documentation
SO-Networking
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk\* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile
The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022 triggered one of the fastest-growing displacement and humanitarian crises on record, forcing millions of people into internal displacement and across borders in search of safety. Since the onset of the crisis, more than 220,000 refugees have been granted temporary protection in Romania, according to data from the Government of Romania. Romania also had by November 2026, 1,732 asylum-seekers, 4,582 beneficiaries of international protection, as well as 254 stateless persons. UNHCR, together with other UN agencies and non-governmental organizations, has supported the Government of Romania’s response to the displacement crisis through inter-agency coordination of the Regional Refugee Response Plan, which is in place until the end of 2026, in line with the Refugee Coordination Model. It has also implemented wide programming in support of the national response in a range of areas. Due to funding constraints, these programmes have in 2026 been reduced to legal assistance, livelihoods and economic inclusion and evidence-based advocacy. UNHCR also undertakes capacity strengthening activities with authorities involved in the Romanian asylum system and advocates with authorities at the national and local levels on issues of relating to the protection and integration of forcibly displaced and stateless persons in Romania. UNHCR in Romania addresses the needs of refugees through its Country Office and the Romexpo Community Centre in Bucharest and a field presence at the Emergency Transit Centre (ETC) in Timisoara for refugees that are relocated from asylum countries on their way to resettlement in third countries, as well as through collaboration with a network of Refugee Led Organizations and Community Based Organizations. UNHCR remains committed to supporting refugees and stateless persons through continued engagement from its presence in Romania.
Desired Candidate Profile (Essential and Desirable A