Head of Washington Liaison Office

UN Secretariat; Washington; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

UN Secretariat seeks a senior leader to head the Washington Liaison Office, serving as the organization’s senior representative in Washington, D.C. The role shapes engagement with the U.S.

Administration, Congress, and policy institutions to advance humanitarian priorities and secure funding. The position requires an advanced degree and 15+ years in humanitarian affairs or related fields, with proven leadership, advisory, and policy-shaping experience.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in a related field; or a first-level degree with 2 additional years of qualifying experience.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, international relations, public policy, foreign affairs, humanitarian financing, or related fields.
• Desirable experience includes engagement with the U.S. Administration and Congress, shaping policy outcomes, and international field experience.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and lead the strategic vision and work program for the Washington Liaison Office.
• Serve as OCHA's senior representative and principal strategic advisor on U.S. political, policy, legislative, and funding developments affecting global humanitarian action.
• Shape OCHA's engagement with the U.S. Administration, Congress, and key institutions to advance strategic priorities and strengthen political and financial support.
• Provide authoritative analysis on U.S. foreign policy, humanitarian assistance, and legislative trends, translating insights into actionable recommendations for OCHA leadership.
• Advise senior OCHA officials on U.S. policy dynamics, opportunities, and risks.
• Lead the development and implementation of OCHA's Washington engagement strategy, anticipating developments and positioning OCHA proactively.
• Develop and sustain high-level relationships with U.S. government officials, Congressional members and staff, diplomatic missions, policy institutions, and other influential actors.
• Lead advocacy and resource mobilization efforts targeting the U.S. Government and Washington-based actors to secure funding for OCHA and humanitarian initiatives.
• Represent OCHA in senior-level discussions on humanitarian policy, financing, and response, ensuring OCHA's perspectives inform decision-making.
• Oversee the production of strategic analysis, policy papers, and engagement plans.
• Manage and develop staff, foster teamwork, and oversee administrative and programmatic tasks, including budget preparation and performance reporting.

Skills

Professionalism

Communication

Teamwork

Leadership

Vision

Expert knowledge of humanitarian

International relations

U.S. foreign policy

Humanitarian financing

Strategic advisory

Political judgment

Engagement strategies

Understanding UN mandates

Working under pressure

Gender mainstreaming

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

First-level university degree + 2 years experience

Job description

Organizational context: The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), part of the UN Secretariat, coordinates humanitarian actors for effective emergency response. The Washington Liaison Office, within OCHA's Partnerships Branch, aims to mobilize and coordinate principled humanitarian action globally. This role serves as OCHA's senior representative in Washington D.C., reporting to the Director of the Financing and Outreach Division.

Job purpose: The Head of the Washington Liaison Office will lead the strategic vision and work program for OCHA's engagement in Washington D.C. This role serves as OCHA's senior representative and principal strategic advisor on U.S. political, policy, legislative, and funding developments impacting global humanitarian action. The incumbent will shape OCHA's interactions with the U.S. Administration, Congress, and key institutions to advance strategic priorities and strengthen political and financial support for humanitarian efforts. This involves providing authoritative analysis on U.S. foreign policy and humanitarian assistance, advising senior OCHA leadership, and developing engagement strategies to influence policy and secure resources. The position is crucial for advancing OCHA's mandate and ensuring effective humanitarian response through strategic U.S. partnerships.

Responsibilities

Formulate and lead the strategic vision and work program for the Washington Liaison Office. Serve as OCHA's senior representative and principal strategic advisor on U.S. political, policy, legislative, and funding developments affecting global humanitarian action. Shape OCHA's engagement with the U.S. Administration, Congress, and key institutions to advance strategic priorities and strengthen political and financial support. Provide authoritative analysis on U.S. foreign policy, humanitarian assistance, and legislative trends, translating insights into actionable recommendations for OCHA leadership. Advise senior OCHA officials on U.S. policy dynamics, opportunities, and risks. Lead the development and implementation of OCHA's Washington engagement strategy, anticipating developments and positioning OCHA proactively. Develop and sustain high-level relationships with U.S. government officials, Congressional members and staff, diplomatic missions, policy institutions, and other influential actors. Lead advocacy and resource mobilization efforts targeting the U.S. Government and Washington-based actors to secure funding for OCHA and humanitarian initiatives. Represent OCHA in senior-level discussions on humanitarian policy, financing, and response, ensuring OCHA's perspectives inform decision-making. Oversee the production of strategic analysis, policy papers, and engagement plans. Manage and develop staff, foster teamwork, and oversee administrative and programmatic tasks, including budget preparation and performance reporting.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in political science, social sciences, public administration, international studies, economics, law, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted as an alternative.

Work experience

A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, international relations, public policy, foreign affairs, humanitarian financing, or related fields is required. Essential experience includes advising senior leaders on complex political/policy issues, building partnerships with diverse stakeholders, and senior-level management. Experience in advocacy and resource mobilization for humanitarian purposes is also required. Desirable experience includes engagement with the U.S. Administration and Congress, shaping policy outcomes, and international field experience.

Skills

Professionalism, Communication, Teamwork, Leadership, Vision, Expert knowledge of humanitarian affairs, international relations, U.S. foreign policy, and humanitarian financing. Strategic advisory and political judgment skills. Ability to develop and execute high-level engagement strategies. Understanding of UN mandates and policies. Ability to work under pressure. Gender mainstreaming.

Required languages

English

Desired languages

Chinese, French, Arabic, Spanish, Russian