Liaison Manager with ref. GIZ-LM

Location	Erbil	Job Type	Permanent
Salary		Sector	Services

A.Context

The Iraqi governorate Nineveh has been witnessing fierce fighting and displacement of its population in its very recent history. Since early 2014, the province of Nineveh has been subject to fighting between the terrorist group "Islamic State" (IS) and various other armed actors. As a result of these clashes and terrorism against the civilian population by the IS, more than 600,000 people fled, of an overall estimated 3.2 million inhabitants.

The province is also characterised by its diversity: Sunni Kurds and Sunni Arabs represent the majority of the population. Among the smaller groups are Yezidi, Shi'ite Turkmen, Christians and the Shi'a Shabak. The recent events have significantly contributed to the increasing divide between the aforementioned groups and further weakened the social and political fabric.

The objective of the projects is to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable populations in selected communities in Nineveh, specifically in the city of Mosul and six other sub-districts. The projects aim to conceptualise the relevant connection between so called hard components e.g. construction and soft components including programming in civil conflict transformation, promoting peaceful coexistence and strengthening social cohesion beyond the project region. Thus, the projects are focusing on 1) rehabilitation of basic public social infrastructure, 2) livelihood activities to support returnees and vulnerable groups and 3) peacebuilding measures.

B.Overall Purpose of Post

As a senior liaison manager your task is to facilitate the political steering and context sensitive implementation and management of the program by keeping close contact to all governmental bodies, partners, key political figures and actors. The Liaison Manager acts under the delegated authority for the Head of Programs.

Furthermore, this task includes to coordinate with the (data) monitoring department, the risk management office, GIZ liaison office, coordination bodies and implementing partners of GIZ. The liaison manger will also be involved in program implementation to be able to represent the Head of Program during her absences.

C.Tasks and Responsibilities

The Liaison Manager

Working in close coordination with the Head of Programs and representing her in times of absence.
Representation of the project to external and internal stakeholders.
Continuous exchange with internal and external actors in the same thematic field and continuous determination of further interfaces and synergies.
Ensuring regular political assessments, risk analysis of the political situation and assessment of strategic implementation
Contributing to good communication and flow of information within the SLN and RRM programs and with other GIZ units, departments and programs.
Communicating progress, expectations, timelines, milestones and other key project metrics to Head of Programs.
Contributing to the design of action plans identifying areas of emphasis to guide project improvements and contributing to further strategic development of the program.

The liaison manager performs the following tasks:

Ensures conflict sensitive implementation. Identifies (programmatic) challenges and conflicts at an early stage, intercepts their escalation.
Monitors closely the political developments in the field and contributes to the design and implementation of measures to respond to tensions in the project area.
Provide regular analysis and foresight into the political and general security situation of the province with a focus on possible implications on program activities.
Possibly advises implementing partners.
Identifies actors relevant to mitigation of violence and conflict resolution.
Contributes to follow up on the systematic conflict monitoring and stakeholder mapping, guaranteeing a dynamic conflict analysis and adequate response mechanisms.
Contributes to development of a strategy to disseminate the findings of the conflict analysis and makes it accessible to relevant stakeholder at all levels.
Creates a bi-monthly foresight analysis for the project areas.
Coordinates with other donors and implementing organisations. Particularly with activities in the field’s livelihood, stabilization, conflict management and social cohesion.
Represents the program and liaises with local authorities and security bodies.
Creates, further develops and updates list of important contacts.
Contributes to the analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation/revision of GIZ support documents.
Identifies sources of information related to policy-driven issues, provides synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to GIZ programme goals.

General tasks

Facilitates, supports and coordinates tasks of project staff and implementing partners.
Prepares and provides material proactively and on request to GIZ PR department.
Coordinates movement of the vehicles in coordination with fleet manager.
Coordinates closely with GIZ RMO on developments and movements in the project area.
Holds the shared responsibility of security focal point and coordinates with RMO.

Performs other duties and tasks if needed to guarantee smooth implementation.
Provides translation and interpretation when required.
Cooperates closely with the program staff in all relevant matters.
Supports in procurement matters.

D. Required qualifications, competences and experience

General Qualifications

Degree in social science, political science, law, project management or related field of study.
At least 5 years professional experience in a field relevant to the position in a comparable position, preferably in an INGO or International Development Organization.
Minimum 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing political policy advisory services. Preferably security related experience.
A proven experience in the field of conflict transformation (in the MENA region) and with implementation of context and conflict sensitive approaches and conflict sensitive monitoring;
Demonstrated negotiating, cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills.
Very good knowledge of the local context in Nineveh and political landscape in Mosul.
Ability to work independently as well as working in a team in a multitasking environment.
Good sense of humor and common sense.
Ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations with clarity.
Good working knowledge of ITC technologies.
Excellent communication skills in English, Arabic and Kurdish.
Experience with Result Based Management.

A.Context

B.Overall Purpose of Post

C.Tasks and Responsibilities

The Liaison Manager

Working in close coordination with the Head of Programs and representing her in times of absence.

Representation of the project to external and internal stakeholders.

Continuous exchange with internal and external actors in the same thematic field and continuous determination of further interfaces and synergies.

Ensuring regular political assessments, risk analysis of the political situation and assessment of strategic implementation

Contributing to good communication and flow of information within the SLN and RRM programs and with other GIZ units, departments and programs.

Communicating progress, expectations, timelines, milestones and other key project metrics to Head of Programs.

Contributing to the design of action plans identifying areas of emphasis to guide project improvements and contributing to further strategic development of the program.

The liaison manager performs the following tasks:

Ensures conflict sensitive implementation. Identifies (programmatic) challenges and conflicts at an early stage, intercepts their escalation.

Monitors closely the political developments in the field and contributes to the design and implementation of measures to respond to tensions in the project area.

Provide regular analysis and foresight into the political and general security situation of the province with a focus on possible implications on program activities.

Possibly advises implementing partners.

Identifies actors relevant to mitigation of violence and conflict resolution.

Contributes to follow up on the systematic conflict monitoring and stakeholder mapping, guaranteeing a dynamic conflict analysis and adequate response mechanisms.

Contributes to development of a strategy to disseminate the findings of the conflict analysis and makes it accessible to relevant stakeholder at all levels.

Creates a bi-monthly foresight analysis for the project areas.

Coordinates with other donors and implementing organisations. Particularly with activities in the field’s livelihood, stabilization, conflict management and social cohesion.

Represents the program and liaises with local authorities and security bodies.

Creates, further develops and updates list of important contacts.

Contributes to the analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country and preparation/revision of GIZ support documents.

Identifies sources of information related to policy-driven issues, provides synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to GIZ programme goals.

General tasks

Facilitates, supports and coordinates tasks of project staff and implementing partners.

Prepares and provides material proactively and on request to GIZ PR department.

Coordinates movement of the vehicles in coordination with fleet manager.

Coordinates closely with GIZ RMO on developments and movements in the project area.

Holds the shared responsibility of security focal point and coordinates with RMO.

Performs other duties and tasks if needed to guarantee smooth implementation.

Provides translation and interpretation when required.

Cooperates closely with the program staff in all relevant matters.

Supports in procurement matters.

D. Required qualifications, competences and experience

General Qualifications

Degree in social science, political science, law, project management or related field of study.

At least 5 years professional experience in a field relevant to the position in a comparable position, preferably in an INGO or International Development Organization.

Minimum 2 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in providing political policy advisory services. Preferably security related experience.

A proven experience in the field of conflict transformation (in the MENA region) and with implementation of context and conflict sensitive approaches and conflict sensitive monitoring;

Demonstrated negotiating, cultural sensitivity and diplomatic skills.

Very good knowledge of the local context in Nineveh and political landscape in Mosul.

Ability to work independently as well as working in a team in a multitasking environment.

Good sense of humor and common sense.

Ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations with clarity.

Good working knowledge of ITC technologies.

Excellent communication skills in English, Arabic and Kurdish.

Experience with Result Based Management.

Share this Job

GIZ