Liaison Officer

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Position Title: Liaison Officer
Location: Geneve
Country: Switzerland
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located in the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General (OASG) of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011 (IIIM). The IIIM was established to support accountability for serious crimes committed in Syria, and it operates under the auspices of the United Nations. The organization aims to gather evidence, prepare files for prosecution, and assist in the investigation of these crimes. The IIIM is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and works closely with various stakeholders, including national and international partners, to fulfill its mandate.

Job Overview:
The Liaison Officer plays a crucial role in supporting the IIIM's mission by providing information and analysis to leadership, preparing draft reports, and assessing implications of policies and strategies. The incumbent will consult and cooperate with partners to develop strategies to address accountability challenges. This position requires strong communication skills, as the Liaison Officer will support official meetings and events, draft talking points and speeches, and foster effective working relations with various stakeholders, including UN counterparts, government representatives, and civil society actors. The role also involves preparing analytical documents and coordinating inputs for official communications to UN Headquarters. The Liaison Officer will participate in fact-finding missions and carry out other duties as assigned, making this a dynamic and impactful position within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide information and analysis to leadership and prepare draft reports related to the IIIM’s mandate.
• Assess implications and make recommendations to senior management on policies, strategies, and measures to address issues of concern.
• Consult and cooperate with partners to develop strategies and plans of action for accountability challenges.
• Support preparations for official meetings, events, and visits, including secretariat services and drafting talking points.
• Provide support to the substantive sections of the IIIM and contribute to a shared understanding of the entity's mandate and operations.
• Foster effective working relations with UN Secretariat counterparts, government representatives, civil society actors, and other partners.
• Prepare summary and analytical documents, including situation reports and background notes.
• Coordinate mission-wide inputs for official meetings and sensitive communications to UNHQ.
• Participate in fact-finding missions and carry out other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in social sciences, political science, international relations, public administration, anthropology, law, economics, or related area is required.
• A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• A valid driver's license is desirable.
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, mediation, or related fields is required.
• A minimum of two years' experience in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advising, or reporting is required.
• Experience in multilateral diplomacy is required, and experience in justice and accountability is desirable.
• Experience working in Syria is also desirable, along with experience leading teams in multi-cultural settings.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as social sciences, political science, international relations, public administration, anthropology, law, or economics. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background is essential for understanding the complex political and legal issues related to the IIIM's mandate.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in areas such as political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, or mediation. Additionally, candidates must have at least two years of experience specifically in political outreach, facilitation, analysis, advising, or reporting. Experience in multilateral diplomacy is essential, and familiarity with justice and accountability issues is highly desirable. Candidates with experience working in Syria and leading teams in multi-cultural settings will be given preference, as this experience is crucial for navigating the complexities of the role.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is required for this position, both oral and written. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, so proficiency in these languages is also beneficial. Candidates must demonstrate strong communication skills to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders and convey complex information clearly and accurately.

Additional Notes:
This is a temporary position intended to fill functions for a short-term duration of six months, with the possibility of extension. The estimated start date is as soon as possible, and the appointment duration is subject to the availability of funds. Candidates should be aware that the responsibilities of this position may involve engagement with distressing material or information. There is no expectation of a fixed-term appointment following the temporary assignment. If selected, internal staff members of the UN Secretariat will have their selection recorded as a temporary assignment. Subsequent temporary appointments may be granted for service in the same or different offices, provided the length of service does not exceed 364 calendar days. Candidates should also note that the UN does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and that the organization is committed to maintaining high standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity in its hiring practices.