Government Liaison Officer (Kabul, Afghanistan)

General Position Summary

The Government Liaison officer is responsible to keep healthy relationships with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and, generally, with Mercy Corps’ stakeholders, including partners. The position is crucial in terms of reporting the programmatic and operational reporting to the government according to the articles of NGOs law. Additionally to look after the certain regulatory certifications, authorization for smooth implementation of MCA programs. This position will be responsible to prepare the semester Governmental reports, introduction letters, permits, authorization letters, guaranteeing timely submissions and precise collation and consolidation of programmatic and financial information for Government reports. 

Essential Job Responsibilities
liaison / relations

• Develop, maintain, and intensify contacts with relevant government institutions and authorities, representatives of other NGOs, civil society organizations and resource persons to facilitate access to legal and regulatory information for MCA in consultation with GR manager;
• Contribute to building a knowledge base for legal and regulatory context for NGOs through liaison with government agencies;
• In liaise with Program, Operations, Access & Security, and finance departments, ensure all tax clearance, authorization letters, Licenses are up to date and processed in according to the plan to prevent delay in the renewal processes
• Ensure timely collection of information from relevant program (s) operations and human resources as well as signature of MCA Government reports, Introduction letters, MOUs and any other relevant agreements between MCA and the government, after reviewed by the GR manager;
• Work on development and submission of progress reports and applications to relevant ministries, including Government reports, Introduction letters, MOUs, and other periodic reports.
• Ensure agreement of Memoranda of Understanding (as well as other documentation, including, but not limited to: introductory letters, reporting, other correspondence) and follow up their fulfilment by both Mercy Corps and corresponding agencies, in a manner in line with principled humanitarian action, in the best interests of our beneficiaries and also our donors;
• Support the field managers in managing governorate level relationships and addressing any issues at that level, in consultation with GR manager;
• Ensure active follow-up on outstanding applications filed with various ministries, responding to queries from authorities in a timely manner.
•  Submit and follow up correspondence of Program (s) operations, finance, access and Security with relevant governmental ministries
• Work with authorities to secure all required authorizations and permissions, including but not limited to: (Company license, TEVET License, Tax exemption applications, Tax Clearance, Vehicle Permits), and other authorizations letters that may require, to facilitate smooth implementation of MCA’s programming and operations.
• Link regularly with relevant focal points in Government to maintain constructive working relations;
• Create a database of all relevant governmental, NGO and Civil society officials, to ensure a good working relationship environment;
• Day to day liaison with government counterparts to support effective implementation of the various activities under the projects
• Serve as reliable source of information about Afghanistan taxation law, procurement law and other relevant laws and legislations
• Develop and maintain excellent contacts and working relationships with the Government of Afghanistan Ministries and Departments
• Represent Mercy Corps in official meetings, fairs and official presentation. This includes cluster and government meetings;
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;
• Maintain filling system for GR department according to Mercy Corps applicable filling policies;
• Any other tasks assigned by the Supervisor;

REPORTING MANAGEMENT

• provide orientation to the new recruited MCA employees of Government process
• Provide presentation on new amended procedures to the staff;
• update the staff on new appointments of officials in relevant governmental administrations

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.
• Ensure all authorization for security operational tools are up to date, in close coordination of Access and security manager

About Mercy Corps 

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. 
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Country Summary 

Mercy Corps works in places of transition, where conflict, disaster, political upheaval, or economic collapse present opportunities to build a more secure, productive, and just communities. Providing emergency relief in times of crisis, we move quickly to help communities recover and build resilience to future shocks, and promote sustainable change by supporting community-led and market-driven initiatives. Recognizing both the great potential and the complex challenges faced by Afghanistan, since 1986 Mercy Corps has been implementing a range of humanitarian assistance and development programs tailored to the specific needs of the country and of those communities where we work. Mercy Corps has been working in Afghanistan continuously since 1986 with a large portfolio of programs addressing the promotion of sustainable licit livelihoods, agriculture development, youth vocational training, Renewable Energy and natural resource management; it has helped more than 2.5 million Afghans through these wide-range of community–based agriculture and economic development programs. Mercy Corps is working in Kabul, Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan, Herat, Takhar, Badakhshan, Parwan, Baghlan,,Samangan, Balkh and Nangarhar.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact. We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.