Senior Relations and Liaison Assistant

About the role

The Senior Relations and Liaison Assistant supports the Head of Office in fostering constructive relationships with host‑country authorities, diplomatic missions and UN agencies, ensuring UN‑Habitat’s work on sustainable urbanisation is effectively coordinated and communicated.

Key responsibilities

• Assist the Head of Office in building and maintaining constructive relationships with host‑country authorities, ministries, diplomatic missions and UN agencies.
• Support compliance with Host Country Agreements, memoranda of understanding and diplomatic protocols, including staff privileges and immunities.
• Maintain primary contacts with national, regional and local officials and coordinate follow‑up on policy, regulatory and operational matters affecting programme delivery.
• Collect, register and update information on government, local authority and international developments related to urban policy, housing strategies and land governance.
• Facilitate coordination of high‑level events, stakeholder engagement and follow‑up actions that advance the New Urban Agenda and SDG 11.

Required profile

• University degree in international relations, public administration, urban planning or a related field.
• Several years of experience working with government bodies, diplomatic missions or multilateral organisations.
• Strong understanding of sustainable urban development, housing policy and the UN system.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently in a multicultural environment and manage sensitive diplomatic matters.

Required skills