Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The IRC Yemen began its Health, Nutrition and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programs in response to the impact of conflicts in Abyan and Aden Governorates in October 2012. Currently IRC Yemen is operating in eight governorates through direct programming and through local partnership in Health, WASH, Nutrition, Economic Recovery Development, Education, Child Protection and Women Protection and Empowerment.

Job overview

The Government Liaison Officer is responsible for liaising on IRC’s behalf with various governmental authorities, including but not limited to MOPIC, all ministries, social security, tax and customs authorities at central and governorate levels where required to facilitate smooth implementation of IRC’s programming. Core to this will be responsibility for securing timely approvals of Principle Agreements, sub-Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding and other governmental permissions and tracking commitments of IRC in collaboration with relevant departments. When liaising with technical line ministries the Government Liaison officer will ensure the actively participation of relevant IRC program staff.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with key technical managers and decision-makers in the government, different ministries and among local authorities. Acting as a key focal point.
• Promote IRC’s work and raise IRC image externally at Aden level particularly with MOPIC and relevant line ministries.
• Ensure timely signature of IRC Principal Agreement, Sub-Agreements, MOUs and any other relevant agreements between IRC and the government.
• Ensure the actively participation of relevant IRC program staff in the development and negotiation of Principal Agreement, Sub-Agreements and MOUs. Ensuring active follow-up on any outstanding applications, and responding to queries from authorities in a timely manner.
• Proactively coordinate and advocate on IRC’s behalf with national and local officials to ensure that the desired outcomes for IRC’s activities in Yemen are achieved. Including troubleshoot any issues which may arise.
• Participate in any relevant meetings and conferences organized by authorities at Aden level.
• Support the field managers in managing governorate level relationships and addressing any issues at that level.
• Lead on development and submission of progress reports and applications to relevant ministries, including Principal Agreement, Sub-Agreements, MOUs, and other periodic reports.
• Work with authorities to secure all required authorizations and permissions to facilitate smooth implementation of IRC’s programming.
• Develop methodologies to improve the liaison process including best practices and new developments affecting the IRC as humanitarian actor.
• Familiarize and keep up with all government requirements applicable to IRC’s work in Yemen to support programs, field management and grants team to ensure compliance. Maintain guidelines including all requirements, procedures and processes.
• Identify and share new policies and procedures to create awareness of requirements among senior staff and support compliance.
• Ensure senior IRC staff are aware of and understand any concerns of government officials regarding IRC’s operations, and that such concerns are factored into IRC’s communication strategy and programming.
• Ensure all correspondence with the government including the Sub-agreements, principal Agreements and other are in line with IRC policies and records are retained in organized manner.
• Participate in grants opening meetings to understand the concept of the respective program.
• Carry out similar tasks assigned by the Country Director and/or other senior staff.

Qualifications

• Experience in relevant area of Liaison with government, preferably 3 years or more. Experience of working with the government at a senior level will be considered as an advantage.
• Extensive knowledge of the Yemen system of government and administration;
• Self-driven, independent and motivated.
• Diplomatic nature, excellent negotiation skills plus negotiation experience;
• Strong communication, organization and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness to travel at least 40% of the time to different governorates as required.
• Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic.
• Good computer skills, including confident use of Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong commitment to IRC’s mission, purpose and values;

Professional Standards

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons.