Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), duty station Khartoum. The Protocol Officer reports to the Mission Chief of Staff (MCOS).
Responsibilities
Under the overall direction of the Mission Chief of Staff, the Protocol Officer will carry out the following duties:
Serves as the focal point and primary liaison between UNISFA and the Government of Sudan, including relevant ministries, departments and agencies, on protocol, host-country and official liaison matters, and maintains effective working relationships with government counterparts, the diplomatic community, UN entities and other stakeholders.
Provides protocol advice, assistance and coordination to the Head of Mission and other senior officials in the planning and conduct of official programmes and engagements, including official appointments, meetings with government authorities, internal travel, accommodation, immigration and visa formalities, accreditation, access arrangements and other protocol requirements.
Arranges and coordinates meetings and official engagements between Mission leadership and host-government authorities, diplomatic missions and other relevant stakeholders, and represents the Office of the Mission Chief of Staff in meetings, inter-agency bodies, technical committees and other forums relating to protocol and host-country matters, as required.
Accompanies the Head of Mission and other senior officials on official travel, as required, to facilitate liaison with host-government authorities and ensure the timely resolution of protocol and other host-country matters.
Plans, coordinates and monitors protocol-related activities and ceremonies, including the logistical and administrative arrangements required for official events, visits and engagements, and coordinates special requirements and requests relating to visiting dignitaries.
Provides advice and guidance to Mission personnel, including uniformed personnel, civilian staff, UN Volunteers and international contractors, on host-country procedures, entry and extension of visas, accreditation, privileges and immunities, local laws and requirements governing interactions with host-government authorities.
Advises Mission sections and units on host-country procedures and requirements relating to import authorizations, customs clearance, duty-free privileges, tax and VAT exemptions, road and security clearances, and other official clearances required for the movement of personnel, goods and provision of services.
Coordinates and follows up with host-government authorities, diplomatic missions and other relevant entities on flight clearances, including special flight requests, blanket overflight clearances and other clearances required for official Mission activities, taking into account associated logistical and operational requirements.
Coordinates and follows up on customs clearance, duty-free privileges, VAT exemptions and other official host-country clearances for UNISFA shipments, assets, services and activities, and monitors pending requests to ensure their timely processing and resolution.
Maintains an effective tracking system for note verbales, clearance requests and other official submissions to host-government authorities; monitors delays and follows up with the relevant authorities to facilitate timely decisions and resolution of outstanding matters.
Provides advice on the Host Country Agreement, privileges and immunities, diplomatic protocol and applicable host-country procedures, ensuring their consistent application and advising on complex or sensitive host-country cases as required.
Ensures timely communication of protocol procedures and host-country requirements to Mission personnel through appropriate channels, including meetings, briefings, guidance materials, SharePoint and other information platforms, and supports the effective use and continuous improvement of information systems and tools for protocol and host-country services.
Prepares and coordinates official correspondence and documentation relating to protocol and host-country matters, including note verbales, briefing notes, memoranda, reports and communications with government authorities, diplomatic missions, UN entities and other stakeholders.
Maintains and regularly updates a comprehensive contact directory of host-government authorities, diplomatic missions, international organizations and other key counterparts relevant to the official functions of the Head of Mission and senior management.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
Professionalism: Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to apply the provisions of the Host Country Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the United Nations, as well as relevant policies, regulations and procedures governing privileges and immunities, diplomatic protocol and host country relations. Ability to analyze, interpret and apply complex administrative and legal provisions, and provide sound advice on protocol and host country matters. Ability to identify issues, assess risks and recommend practical solutions.
Ability to analyze and interpret data and information to support decision-making and enhance service delivery. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors' language, tone, style, and format to match audience; and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.
Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.
Education
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Political Science, International Relations, Law, Foreign Affairs or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years progressively responsible experience in a similar protocol position with government/public authorities and/or previous UN/International Intergovernmental Organizations is required. Practical experience in at least three of these areas; accreditation, duty-free, value-added tax exemption, vehicle registration and driving license processing in a diplomatic setting is required. Previous protocol experience with the Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Primature is desirable. Previous experience working in multicultural teams and in facilitating coordination with the Force and Police uniformed components is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and Arabic are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Required Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
English | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II
Arabic | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF SUDAN ONLY. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Sudan nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to Sudan in the event of an employment offer.
This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.
The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.
By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.
This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening.
No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2
(a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2.
(c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.