Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Global Service Centre (UNGSC) provides critical Supply Chain, Geospatial, Information and Telecommunications Technologies services and Training to Secretariat Entities, Peacekeeping and Special Political Missions, Agencies, Funds and Programmes of the UN system worldwide. This position is located in the Office of the Chief, Service for Geospatial Information and Telecommunications Technologies (SGITT), Head of the United Nations Information and Communication Technology Facility (UNICTF) in Valencia, Spain. The incumbent will report to the Head of Premises, UNICTF, Valencia or other designated Officer. The Senior Liaison Assistant will contribute and act as the intermediary between UNGSC/UNICTFV and external entities, including Ministries, Embassies, Consulates, local authorities, institutions and associations, and the community at large, also contributing to the management of external and institutional relations in compliance with diplomatic international and national protocol rules. The incumbent will provide support in addressing, through diplomatic channels, any issues connected with the provisions of the Host Country Agreement.

Responsibilities

The Senior Liaison Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: • Assists the Head of Premises in establishing and maintaining constructive and cooperative work relationships with the host country diplomatic institutional representatives and foreign countries counterparts as well as UN Secretariat offices, other UN Departments, UN agencies, funds and programs, local, provincial regional authorities and the community at large. • Facilitates UNGSC/UNICTF compliance with the various Host Country Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with the Spanish Government and United Nations counterparts, and supports the UNGSC Director and Chief SGITT/Head of Premises in addressing issues connected with Host Country Agreement provisions, organization’s entitlements and UN Staff privileges and immunities. • Provides support in the establishment and maintenance of primary contacts with Officials of the Host Country at national, regional, provincial and local level. • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships and partnerships with the host government and authorities, associations, public and educational institutions, civil society and media. • Establishes and maintains relations with educational institutions, press, cultural social and professional associations, projecting and fostering the image of UNICTF at the national, regional, provincial and local level. • Supports the organization of UNICTF high-level visits and meetings, outreach programs, and institutional events, as well as special community projects. • Prepares a broad range of diplomatic, protocol and official correspondence including Notes Verbales and letters. • Drafts institutional speeches, press releases; meeting talking points and meeting reports. • Prepares and delivers briefings, presentations on UNGSC/UNICTF mandate, structure, functions and activities and on host country social-cultural matters and aspects, incorporating data analysis and visualization to support reporting, trend analysis and informed decision-making, using appropriate analytical tools, such as dashboards, charts and summary analytics. • Supervises and manages the assigned team, providing guidance, oversight and quality control of work outputs. • Perform other duties as and when required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the laws and regulations of the host country. Comprehension of the privileges and immunities of international organizations. Good understanding of the UNGSC/UNICTF/SGITT’s mandate. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently. Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Certification in external protocol or public diplomacy delivered by an accredited institution or recognized professional body is desirable. Certification in applied data analysis or reporting (minimum 30 hours) that includes practical application is desirable. Training in Political Sciences, International Relations or Institutional Protocol issued by a recognized academic institution, diplomatic academy, or governmental/intergovernmental body is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of related work experience in liaison and protocol services supporting senior management is required. The minimum years of relevant work experience is reduced to eight (8) years for candidates who possess a first level university degree or higher in the related area. Experience in working in international intergovernmental organizations or public administration offices is desirable. Experience in managing protocol requests, including privileges and immunities, for a large, diverse and dynamic client base is desirable.

Languages

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is open for recruitment for an initial period of one year with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds. Recruitment for this position is done on a local basis. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.