Services

 Among the responsibilities of the Unit are the following:

Events:

• Providing protocol coverage to meetings and events involving the Executive and Deputy Executive Secretaries, both at and away from the Commission, as well as visits to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa by high-level dignitaries
• Assisting in the Ceremony of Presentation of Credentials of Ambassadors of member States and organizations accredited to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
•  Providing protocol support tohigh-level guests of the Executive Secretary and Deputy Executive Secretaries
• Welcoming ambassadors and delegates to the quarterly briefing of Ambassadors of African Member States represented in Ethiopia.
• Arranging flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies and ensuring the observance of official periods of mourning;
• Maintaining up-to-date lists of Ambassadors of African Member States in Ethiopia
• Ensure the necessary protocol arrangements are in place during the visit of the Secretary-General and his delegation to Addis Ababa:  
• Protocol Services to VIPs: The Unit provides the necessary protocol support during visits of high-level officials such as Ambassadors, Ministers, and Heads of States. In addition, the Unit works with the Office of the Executive Secretary in arranging and facilitating her interactions with high-level officials.
• Booking of  VIP Lounge  at Bole International Airport: Whenever officials with the rank of Minister and above are invited by ECA from abroad, the Unit makes the necessary arrangements with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Airport Security in securing the VIP lounge permits.
• Hotel Accommodation: Rates are negotiated with selected hotels in Addis Ababa to serve as corporate rates.  Based on the request of travellers (sponsored conference participants), hotel booking is secured.
• Airport Meet & Greet: This relates to airport meet and greet service for newly recruited international staff members, as well as event participants.  It involves providing assistance with immigration formalities, luggage identification, and ground transfers to hotels. 
• Celebration of UN Day – 24 October: UN Day is celebrated each year on 24 October. The celebration takes place at the entrance of the United Nations Conference Centre. All Heads of United Nations agencies and staff are invited to attend the ceremony. Seating arrangements are made by the Conference Servicing Unit and the Protocol and Liaison Services Unit.   The role of Protocol and Liaison Services Unit throughout the event is crucial in welcoming invited guests and ushering them to their respective seats.
• Welcoming Heads of State and Government, Prime Ministers and Ministers to the United Nations Conference Centre-Addis Ababa: ECA is visited by high profile dignitaries throughout the year. The Protocol and Liaison Services Unit is informed of such visits ahead of time and arrangement are made accordingly. 

Diplomatic Relations:

• Visa requests: The unit develops and maintains an efficient and effective visa processing system, provides up-to-date information with regard to visa procedures to staff and family members, conference organizing divisions and other guests with official status at UNECA.
• Duty free privilege: Duty free privilege is among the diplomatic privileges that international staff members are granted. The Protocol & Liaison Services Unit, as one of its tasks, requests the MoFA for newly recruited international staff members joining UNECA
• Driving License Authentication: This is the process of ascertaining the legality of an internationally recruited staff members’ drivers’ license issued in another country.
• Resident permit: The Unit assists international staff members and their dependants, with a continuous contract of 1 year and above, in securing their Ethiopian resident identification cards. This legal document also serves each person’s entry and exit document for the Host Country.
• Temporary Airport Pass:  A Temporary Airport Pass is an entry pass to Bole International Airport. It is a one-time entry permit to welcome or see off relatives, friends, minors and elderly people who need assistance.
• Certificate of Good Conduct: A Certificate of Good Conduct is a certificate issued by the Federal Police Crime Investigation Bureau of Forensic Examination Directorate of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia attesting that a person is free from any criminal act, including conviction and arrest. In most cases, fingerprints are used as legal evidence for the classification of criminal records of an individual.  International staff members of the Commission who have left the country on transfer to another Duty Station or have resigned from their job are requested to approach the Protocol, Visas and Liaison Services Unit to assist them in obtaining the Certificate of Good Conduct on their behalf.