Position Title: Protocol Officer in the Office of the Special Representative
Receiving Agency: Gang Suppression Force Secretariat Haiti
P Level: P4
Location: Port au Prince, Haiti
Duration: 18 months (Until Sep, 2027)
Language: French and English fluency required. 

Background

On 30 September 2025, the United Nations Security Council authorized, in resolution 2793 (UNSCR 2793), Member States to transition the deployed Multinational Security Support (MSS) in Haiti to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), in close cooperation and coordination with the Government of Haiti, for an initial period of twelve months. The UN Security Council has authorized multiple tasks within the GSF mandate.

The United Nations Secretary-General is authorized to establish a UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) to provide comprehensive logistical and operational support to the GSF and to the Haitian National police (HNP) and the Haitian armed forces on any joint operations with the GSF. UNSOH will also provide technical support, through voluntary funding contributions, to the Organization of American States (OAS) SECURE-Haiti project and will provide standard United Nations mission support services to the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).

The Standing Group of Partners (SGP) has the role of providing, in consultation with the Government of Haiti, high-level strategic direction, oversight, and relevant political decision-making for the GSF as appropriate. The SGP is overall responsible for (a) securing voluntary financial contributions for GSF personnel costs reimbursements; (b) facilitating force (military and police) generation; and (c) providing high level strategic representation and coordination for the GSF.

The SGP shall appoint a Special Representative (SR) who, as in-country head of the GSF, will report to the SGP and provide strategic oversight, representation and coordination for the GSF. The SGP appointed GSF Force Commander shall report to the SR and is responsible for operational command and day-to-day operational decision-making for the uniformed components of the GSF.

The SR is supported by an Office of the SR (the civilian component of the GSF)

Career Experience

The Protocol Officer shall have: a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in protocol, public relations or external relations is required. Work experience in event management or conference management is also required. Work experience in the United Nations system or similar international organizations is desirable, and such experience in a field mission setting is an advantage. An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communications, political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration or other related subject is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required.

Responsibilities of the Protocol Officer

The Protocol Officer reports to the Chief of Staff (CoS) and is based in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The Protocol Officer acts as a liaison and cultural advisor, ensuring all interactions between the GSF and Haitian authorities, the diplomatic community, visiting high level officials from SGP members, GSF troop and police contributing countries, United Nations system and the OAS are conducted with appropriate decorum, cultural sensitivity, and adherence to international and local regulations.
The Protocol Officer shall be responsible for the following tasks:

• Liaison and Coordination: Acting as initial point of contact and liaison between the GSF senior leadership and government of Haiti counterparts, as well as SGP members, GSF troop and police contributing countries, embassies, the United Nations system and the OASl; and coordinating with other relevant GSF personnel on scheduling of meetings, functions and other protocol-related activities.

• Logistics and Event Management: Planning, coordinating, and executing all official events, ceremonies, meetings, and high-level visits involving dignitaries or GSF leadership. This includes managing schedules, seating arrangements, transportation, and official gifts as appropriate. Working with the Security Adviser to ensure appropriate security arrangements are in place.
• Travel and Administration Support: In coordination with Front Office staff, organizing external official trips for GSF senior leadership, which involves managing accommodation, travel arrangements, and facilitating necessary immigration formalities, visas, and flight clearances. Oversee the administrative aspects of any diplomatic privileges and immunities for eligible GSF staff members. Working with the Security Adviser to ensure appropriate security arrangements are also in place

• Advisory Role and Training: Briefing GSF senior officials and staff on local customs, cultural nuances, traffic rules, diplomatic etiquette, and appropriate conduct to ensure respectful and effective cross-cultural communication.  Providing protocol related advice and training to other GSF members as appropriate.
• Conflict Resolution and Diplomacy: Identifying potential conflicts in interactions and resolving them through diplomacy, maintaining positive relationships with all stakeholders, and handling high-pressure situations with composure and discretion.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintaining accurate records, updating comprehensive lists of SGP members’ senior officials, GSF troop contributing countries senior officials, United Nations system senior officials, OAS senior officials, diplomatic personnel and government of Haiti senior officials, and preparing official correspondence and reports related to protocol activities. 
• Produce the Protocol Officer function work plan for approval by the CoS.
• Provide data and function related information as requested to inform the GSF budget submission and review process.
• Ensure handover notes are produced to ensure institutional knowledge is passed to replacement or incoming Protocol Officers.

The Protocol Officer may be requested by the CoS to perform other duties, as required.





CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.