Policy and Liaison Officer (AUSSOM)

The Policy and Liaison Officer supports policy coordination, liaison, stakeholder engagement, and information-sharing activities in support of the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The role involves coordination with Mission components, host authorities, international partners, and regional stakeholders to facilitate effective communication and operational coordination within a complex and high-risk environment.

Responsibilities

• Supports liaison, coordination, and stakeholder engagement activities in support of the Mission’s mandate and operational priorities.
• Assists in maintaining coordination and communication with Mission components, host authorities, international partners, regional organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Supports policy coordination, information-sharing, and reporting activities relating to Mission operations and strategic engagement priorities.
• Assists in preparing briefing materials, meeting records, analytical inputs, correspondence, and coordination products relating to liaison and policy activities.
• Supports engagement and follow-up activities relating to meetings, coordination platforms, consultations, and stakeholder interactions involving the Mission.
• Contributes to maintaining effective communication and coordination mechanisms to support Mission cooperation, partnership, and operational coordination activities.
• Supports liaison and coordination activities between the Mission and relevant stakeholders, including host authorities, international partners, regional organizations, and other relevant actors.
• Assists in facilitating communication, information-sharing, and coordination between Mission components and external stakeholders in support of Mission priorities and operational activities.
• Supports the preparation of briefing notes, reports, meeting summaries, talking points, correspondence, and analytical inputs relating to liaison and policy coordination activities.
• Assists in coordinating meetings, consultations, stakeholder engagements, and follow-up activities relating to Mission coordination and partnership initiatives.
• Supports the monitoring and analysis of developments relevant to Mission coordination, stakeholder engagement, and operational priorities.
• Assists in maintaining liaison records, stakeholder databases, contact directories, and information management tools relating to Mission coordination activities.
• Supports coordination and follow-up activities relating to agreements, partnership initiatives, coordination mechanisms, and Mission engagement processes.
• Assists in facilitating coordination between civilian, police, and military Mission components and relevant stakeholders on issues relating to Mission priorities and operational coordination.
• Supports the preparation and dissemination of coordination products, updates, and communication materials relevant to Mission liaison activities.
• Maintains effective working relationships and communication channels with relevant stakeholders in support of Mission coordination and engagement efforts.
• Performs any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

• Master’s degree (Bac+5) in International Relations, Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies, Public Administration, Law, Diplomacy, Communication, Security Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field with a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in liaison, coordination, stakeholder engagement, policy support, Mission coordination, or field mission environments.
• Or Bachelor's degree (Bac+3) in International Relations, Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies, Public Administration, Law, Diplomacy, Communication, Security Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in liaison, coordination, stakeholder engagement, policy support, Mission coordination, or field mission environments.
• Experience in AU, UN, or other international field missions, particularly in conflict or post-conflict environments, is desirable.
• Experience in stakeholder engagement, liaison, coordination, partnership support, or policy coordination activities is desirable.
• Experience supporting coordination between civilian, police, and military components and external stakeholders is an added advantage.
• Experience in drafting reports, briefing materials, analytical notes, correspondence, and coordination products is desirable.
• Experience in information management, stakeholder coordination tools, and standard Microsoft Office applications is desirable.
• Ability to support liaison, coordination, and stakeholder engagement activities in complex and high-risk operational environments.
• Good understanding of Mission coordination processes, stakeholder engagement mechanisms, and liaison functions within field missions.
• Ability to prepare briefing notes, reports, correspondence, meeting summaries, and coordination products in a clear and professional manner.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, coordination, and relationship-management skills.
• Ability to engage effectively with civilian, police, and military Mission components, host authorities, international partners, and other stakeholders.
• Good analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to support information-sharing, follow-up, and coordination activities across multiple stakeholders and Mission components.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and respond to evolving operational coordination requirements in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in the use of information management tools, stakeholder coordination databases, and standard Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and accuracy in handling liaison and coordination-related information.

Skills

• Liaisoning
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Policy Support
• Mission Coordination
• Field Mission Experience
• Conflict Environment Experience
• Partnership Support
• Civilian-Police-Military Coordination
• Report Writing
• Briefing Material Preparation
• Analytical Note Drafting
• Information Management
• Stakeholder Coordination Tools
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Communications Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Relationship Management
• Information Sharing
• Coordination Activities
• Operational Coordination

Languages

Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, Spanish