Mission and objectives

UNHCR's primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. In its efforts to achieve this objective, UNHCR strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, and to return home voluntarily.

Context

The core functions assigned to UNHCR by its 1950 Statute involve "providing international protection" and "seeking permanent solutions to the problem of refugees by assisting Governments […] to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of such refugees, or their assimilation within new national communities". The two aspects of UNHCR's mandate are inseparable. UNHCR's efforts to find durable solutions to the plight of refugee’s stem from the needs and rights of the individual. According to its Statute, UNHCR is competent to assist any person who, "Owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear or for reasons other than personal convenience, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.". While this definition, with its emphasis on individual persecution, still forms the core of UNHCR's mandate, the work of the Office has evolved to take account of the changing nature of refugee flows in recent decades. In typical situations today, UNHCR provides protection and assistance to groups of refugees fleeing combinations of persecution, conflict and widespread violations of human rights. In such circumstances, UNHCR usually bases its interventions on a general assessment of conditions in the refugee- producing country rather than on an examination of each person's individual claim to refugee status. UNHCR has acquired the additional role of providing material assistance for refugees, returnees and, in specific instances, internally displaced people. This has become one of its principal functions alongside protection and the promotion of solutions. The Senior Government Liaison Assistant 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 Assistant 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. 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.

Task Description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Senior Government Liaison Officer, his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Associate Government Liaison Officer will: • Draft routine correspondence and reports, prepare tables and draft corresponding text, prepare background material for use in discussions and briefing sessions. • Collect, register and maintain information on the Government, 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. • Maintain close working relations with the local authorities, governmental and non-governmental implementing partners and other external parties, providing co-operation and guidance if necessary. • Collect and maintain information on statistics in regard to persons of concern. • Assist the supervisor in preparation and facilitation of workshops, trainings, seminars and other meetings. • Liaise directly with Government partners to provide requested information and follow-up on pending issues. • Manage external queries and information flows by identifying and anticipating required action. • Prepare reports and correspondence related to office´s contacts and activities. • Manage budget, when requested, including tracking expenditures. • Act as interpreter and translator when needed. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Communication • Organizational Awareness • Teamwork & Collaboration • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Client & Result Orientation

Living conditions and remarks

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) shares borders with nine countries and has a 37-kilometer coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Its population was estimated at 90,973,685 in 2020 (according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs), with 35% living in urban areas. The country has been independent since June 30, 1960, a date that is commemorated each year and observed as a national holiday. The DRC operates under a democratic regime. The current President, His Excellency Mr. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, was re-elected for a second five-year term during the presidential election held in December 2023.Since June 2015, the DRC has been divided into 26 provinces. Major cities include Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Bandundu, Mbandaka, Kisangani, Goma, Bukavu, Mbuji-Mayi, Kananga, Kindu, Gemena, Gbadolite, Buta, Isiro, Bunia, Boende, Lisala, Inongo, Tshikapa, Kenge, Lusambo, Kabinda, Kalemie, Kamina, and Kolwezi. The political and economic capital is Kinshasa. The DRC is crossed by the Equator. Its climate is tropical, characterized by a long dry season from May to September, a short dry period in February, and a rainy season from September to May in the southern part of the Equator. The northern part experiences a hot climate. When it is the rainy season in the south, the north experiences a dry season, and vice versa. However, in the area near the Equator, the rainy season lasts throughout the year. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.