Jeanne Smoot

External Government Relations Officer @Unhcr, The Un Refugee Agency

Washington, DC, US

Help enhance political and financial support to UNHCR’s global operations from its largest donor. Liaise with HQ experts and others across organization to address US government questions, highlight programs, and flag needs. Brief and staff High Commissioner and Senior Executive Team, regional bureau directors, and other UNHCR leaders on missions to Washington for meetings with high-level officials and civil society organizations. Focal point for MCO-Washington ER team on the Western Hemisphere and on a range of thematic issues, including prevention of sexual exploitation/abuse; sexual and gender-based violence; and the humanitarian-to-development nexus, including UNHCR’s strategic partnerships with development finance institutions.Diverse portfolio also includes promoting engagement by US government and US NGOs (particularly refugee-led organizations) in global and regional platforms that aim to improve and expand the protection and solutions available to forcibly displaced and stateless persons, like the Global Refugee Forum and the Global Alliance to End Statelessness.

Harvard University

Bachelor of Arts - BA, Anthropology (Archaeology), magna cum laude

The Fletcher School at Tufts University

Master of Arts - MA, Law & Diplomacy

Harvard Law School

Doctor of Law - JD, cum laude