JOB DESCRIPTION

Deadline for Applications

September 9, 2025

Hardship Level

D

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

GS6

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2025-10-01

Standard Job Description

Government Liaison Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The 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 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.

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 in the establishment of close working relations with officials in various ministries especially Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
– Keep track of evolving issues concerning asylum seekers, stateless persons and refugees within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
– Ensure that the office is kept informed of local and international developments which may have a political or operational impact on the office”s relation 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 on a continuing basis of relevant information on the outcome of discussions with government authorities on various issues.
– Assist 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.
– Liaise with Government partners and local authorities on behalf of UNHCR, as required.
– Draft correspondence and reports as required and assist in the drafting of briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact 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

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 – 3 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
MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
MS-Networking
CO-Cross-cultural communication;
(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 Government Liaison Associate position requires a candidate with a strong mix of skills related to communication, coordination, teamwork, empowerment, building trust, political awareness and diplomacy, stakeholder management, negotiations, planning and reporting. S/he should be able to work on their own initiative and be an excellent communicator.
• Work experience in different regions of Lebanon in the capacity of liaison/external relations or related and up-to-date knowledge of the context of regions including local culture dynamics especially when interacting with local authorities and communities is required. Ability to analyze and develop a strategy for UNHCR’s relationship with the regional authorities as well as their link to national policies are required.
• (Negotiation): Knowledge of protocol, conflict sensitivity within the unique context of Lebanon and proven negotiation skills would be required. Professional demeanor, diplomatic skills, and continuous constructive dialogue to convey UNHCR priorities and messages effectively is required.
• (Stakeholder Management): Proven experience in facilitating government relations at different levels: mayors, municipalities, Governors, DRM/DRR, representatives of line ministries such as MOIM, MOSA, MOFA, DRM/DRR, representatives of security agencies, LAF and other stakeholders in required. Experience in communicating with various community groups, community leaders, and other social and religious entities at the field level is required.
• (Political & Situational Awareness): Political awareness, firm grasp of evolving situation and political events in Lebanon, and Knowledge of conventions and international instruments relating to refugees and core protection principles, protection space, and protection context. Ability and experience of working and advocating on behalf of PoCs with local authorities and communities would be required.
• (Organizational Awareness): Strong knowledge of UN system and humanitarian response architecture in Lebanon is required; including knowledge of UNHCR project cycle, funding and programmes to facilitate negotiation with i/NGOs is highly desirable.
• (Planning and Organization):Experience in arranging and managing high level missions, donor mission, support visibility mission, etc. is required. Good understanding of UNHCR external communication lines, relations with donors and other external actors is required. Meeting planning, facilitation, coordination skills are required.
• (Communication): Media experience, such as media monitoring, engagement and networking with journalists will be considered an asset.
• (Coordination) Previous experience in coordination with different stakeholders including UN, I/NGOs, government, and within the framework of the interagency mechanisms. Ability to coordinate across sectors/units and offices.
• (Emergency Response): Previous experience in working in emergency or crisis situations would be considered a plus, along with demonstrated skills in emergency coordination, communication and reporting. The applicant must be adaptable and agile in an ever-changing context.
• (Analysis & Reporting) The incumbent must have very good drafting skills in English and Arabic. Good writing skills, as the incumbent will be responsible for internal office reporting, external communication, briefing notes and other documents to facilitate HFO communication and advocacy with various stakeholders. Strong analytical and reporting skills to ensure mission reports, sitreps and analysis of issues are provided in a timely manner
• Other Duties as assigned

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The region is administratively split into two governorates: Akkar and the North. The North includes Tripoli and the surrounding districts: El Koura, El Batroun, Zgharta, Minieh Dennieh, and Bcharre. The two governorates span over 2025 km2 and include 273 municipalities. The area is composed of diverse religious groups, with the majority of the population being Sunni and Christian, and a lesser population of Alawite and Shiite communities. Tripoli, Lebanon’s second largest city and the center of the North Governorate, has been facing immense challenges for decades making it one of Lebanon’s poorest and most marginalized cities. Similarly inAkkar the situation is even more dire, with the poverty rate soaring to 62% in 2022, the highest in the country, up from 22% in 2012. Akkar suffers from weak administrative capabilities and a high dependence on the central government. The few regional public services and institutions remain largely located in the North governorate, covering both governorates – further delaying and hindering the support to infrastructure and access of local communities in Akkar to the government. The most vulnerable population resides near the shared 100 km border with Syria. Due to the region’s proximity to the border with its three official border crossing points- all currently closed following the bombardment during the recent hostilities, (El Bqaiaa, El Abboudieh, and El Arida), as well as largely interlinked Syrian and Lebanese lands, the conflict in Syria had a significant spillover unto the local economy in Akkar and North. Before the Syrian war, the region largely relied on trade, economic, and commercial activities in Syria.

Living and Working Conditions:

Lebanon remains a complex operational environment. The country is recovering from recent conflicts and displacement, as well as a prolonged economic crisis. It hosts 1.4 million Syrian refugees, according to the Government of Lebanon—the highest per capita globally—placing immense strain on basic services. While a transitional government was formed in early 2025, challenges are expected to continue, particularly in implementing a comprehensive plan for macroeconomic and financial stabilization.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon took effect on 26 November 2024, after more than a year of fighting that resulted in thousands of casualties and injuries, and affected up to 1.3 million people, including around 900,000 who were internally displaced. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes in South Lebanon and the Bekaa have continued, causing further casualties and injuries.

Sporadic hostilities have persisted, including airstrikes in the southern governorates and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Unexploded ordnance has impacted communities, exacerbating protection concerns, limiting humanitarian access, and hindering relief and recovery efforts. While the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) dropped from nearly 900,000 to 90,021 by 30 April 2025, many returning IDPs have faced extensive damage to essential infrastructure and residential buildings.

The fall of the Assad regime in Syria has also driven regional shifts. Between December 2024 and May 2025, UNHCR estimates that approximately 501,126 Syrians crossed back into Syria via neighbouring countries, including 170,078 via or from Lebanon—half of whom were transiting or temporarily returning. Returns and movements occur through both official and unofficial border crossings, creating a fluid picture. At the same time, Lebanon has received nearly 110,000 new arrivals into the Baalbek-Hermel area of the Bekaa, as well as the Akkar and North Governorates. The latter influx is due to hostilities in Syria’s Tartous, Lattakia, Homs, and Hama Governorates since early March, with displacement ongoing.

UNHCR and its partners face a significant and unexpected funding shortfall in 2025, prompting a focus on lifesaving and core mandate activities. Reduced funding has already impacted critical sectors such as cash assistance, healthcare, and education.

UNHCR in Lebanon has a workforce of over 350 staff across the Country Office (CO) in Beirut and various Field Offices. This includes personnel in FO Beirut, Tripoli, and Zahle. As per the ICSC classification of March 2025, Beirut is designated as a ‘B’ family duty station, while Zahle and Tripoli are classified as ‘D’ family duty stations.

The overall situation in the region continues to be closely monitored. Applicants are advised to stay informed of developments in the security context, as these may affect the classification of duty stations.

Despite these challenges, Lebanon is showing signs of recovery. Housing and essential services, including healthcare and international schooling, are improving. However, trust in the banking sector remains low. International staff may open fresh USD accounts in local banks to facilitate transfers from foreign accounts and local USD transactions. The operation’s finance team will provide guidance on setting up these accounts, if needed.

UNLP holders are granted six-month, multiple-entry visas upon arrival, but these cannot be converted into residency permits. Residency is required for opening local bank accounts, signing long-term lease agreements, purchasing vehicles, registering children in international or national schools, and requesting visas for family members. International staff must obtain an official visa in their national passport before arrival, ideally through the nearest Embassy of Lebanon. UNHCR Lebanon”s administration will support this process prior to the staff member’s arrival in the country.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Cross-cultural communication, CO-Drafting and Documentation, SO-Networking

Education

Certifications

Business Administration – Other, Political Science – Other, Social Sciences – Other

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance