Job Title: National Liaison Officer
Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
Host entity: IOM Poland
Assignment country: Poland
Expected start date: 01/10/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 16. Peace, justice and strong
institutions
Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist
Type: Onsite
Duration: 4 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Warsaw
Details
Mission and objectives
IOM has been active in Poland since 2002 under an agreement
with the Polish government and conducts various migration programs, including
activities supporting the integration of male and female migrants into Polish society.
The Office has been working for years with state institutions, local
governments and employers, providing information, training and direct support
to people with migration experience, including Polish citizens. In addition,
IOM in Poland implements projects aimed at the private sector to promote
ethical recruitment, respect for the rights of migrants and migrant women as
well as the elimination of forced labour from value chains and the prevention
of human trafficking.
Context
Established in 1951, the International Organization for
Migration (IOM) is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of
migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and
non-governmental partners. IOM is committed to the principle that humane and
orderly migration benefits migrants and society. As the leading international
organization for migration, IOM acts with its partners in the international
community to: assist in meeting the growing operational challenges of migration
management; advance understanding of migration issues; encourage social and
economic development through migration, and; uphold the human dignity and
well-being of migrants. IOM has been active in Poland since 2002 under an
agreement with the Government of Poland. Since the launch of the full-scale war
in Ukraine in February 2022, over 1.6 million refugees have registered in
Poland. IOM has significantly scaled up its operations to provide
multi-sectoral assistance to refugees, third-country nationals, and affected
communities. Linked to these efforts, IOM has also increased its engagement
with national, regional, and local authorities across Poland to support with
the technical and policy-level aspects of the Ukraine crisis response,
integration/inclusion of refugees and migrants etc. Beyond the Ukraine crisis,
IOM continues to support the Government of Poland on a range of migration
management issues. This UNV assignment is part of IOM Poland initiative. The
successful candidate will support liaison efforts with relevant ministries of
the Government of Poland, as well as with regional and local authorities.
Additionally, will be responsible for political analysis and regular monitoring
of policy developments related to migration.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of
Chief of Mission or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN
Volunteer National Liaison Officer will: • Support the Chief of Mission in
establishing, maintaining and strengthening liaison with governmental
authorities, national institutions, EU institutions, UN and international
organizations and diplomatic missions, aimed at increasing support for ongoing
and planned IOM programming in Poland, identifying new opportunities for
engagement, and facilitating implementation of operations. • Keep abreast of
relevant political developments at the national level and in areas where IOM is
operating and provide periodic reports and advice to IOM senior management. •
Monitor policy developments at the national level and advise IOM senior
management on the course of action, if any, to support IOM programmatic
response • Support the Chief of Mission with speeches, talking points, and
other briefing materials for meetings with government representatives and
support with organization for high-level visits. • Facilitate the
implementation of IOM’s ongoing and planned activities by maintaining strong
working relationships with regional and local authorities. • Work closely with
IOM Poland programmatic teams to identify potential linkages with technical
counterparts at national and regional levels. • Promote IOM Poland’s strategic
objectives and priorities through contacts with relevant governmental,
national, and international actors. • Liaise with the IOM Regional Office and
Headquarters as required to respond to requests for information and
programmatic and contextual updates. • Undertake in-country duty travel
relating to liaison with counterparts, support to sub-offices etc. as required.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are
encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their
assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in
the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of
their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen
their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading
relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities
(for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted
with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host
country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer
actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field
experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press
releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN
Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering,
or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online
Volunteering service whenever technically possible. Results/expected outputs •
As an active IOM Poland team member, efficient, timely, responsive,
client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to IOM Poland and its
beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, related to the
description of tasks: • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is
systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout
the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for
peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of
volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 - 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the
country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in liaising with Polish government
authorities, other national/international institutions, and NGOs • Excellent
analytical skills and writing skills in Polish and English and proven
experience in drafting official correspondence is a must. • Previous experience
in humanitarian coordination forums is an advantage. • Sound presentation and
communication skills/ability to present at governmental forums is required. •
Good interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to present clear
and concise information. • Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with
colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds, ability to handle
confidential matters, flexibility, tolerance and capacity to work in a team.
Willing to travel within the country as required.
Area(s) of expertise
Administration, Development programmes, Legal affairs
Driving license
-
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required Polish, Level: Fluent,
Required Ukrainian, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable Russian, Level: Working
knowledge, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in International Affairs.
Competencies and values
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations
relevant to IOM Poland]; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or
transferrable to IOM Poland procedures and rules; discretion, political
sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good
judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors,
especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy,
personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and
willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently
under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively,
accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity:
demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and IOM Poland in daily
activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains;
resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are
in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action
in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or
authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively
across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to
establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations
in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity
and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender,
religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender
equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and
men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and
provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous
learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of
new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work
environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and
problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an
efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan,
coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with
conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; •
Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written
communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports;
ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely;
ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and
empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel,
volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse
backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of
different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and
work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship
and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for
protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to
transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; •
Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which
includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment
towards IOM Poland mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
• Accommodation options: Airbnb, booking.com, other hotels
all recommended • Airport Transport: Airport is located within the city area,
taxi (always use official taxi drivers) from airport to the centre costs around
50 Zloty (11 USD). Public transport available – bus 175 goes to the city
center. Taxi available, recommended taxi providers area is marked near the exit
from the arrival’s hall. Uber is used in Poland and is more affordable than
taxi. • Currency: Zloty (PLN, zł), 1 zloty = 100 groszy • Things recommended to
bring: In Poland, you can get cash from ATM, but Credit cards are very handy
and usable at most of places including taxies. However in case TDYers have no
credit cards, they should exchange cash at the airport. Poland is a unique
country and IOM Poland is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an
interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of
cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to
make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability
and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions,
involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme
that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to
achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part
of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to
combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights
and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender
identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability,
pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be
subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2
(Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
