UNOPS Local Access Assistant

Job ID/Title :UNOPS Local Access Assistant (2 positions)
Category :Administration/Operations
Brand :UNOPS
Application Deadline :08-Sep-11
Duty Station :Jerusalem
Duration of Initial Contract :through 31/12/2011 (with strong possibility of extension)

Background:
The UNOPS Jerusalem Operations Center (JMOC) was established in November 2006 to provide project services throughout the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt.) JMOC has an established office in Jerusalem and is supported by the European and Middle East Regional Office (EMO). JMOC provides back-stop support and specialists in multiple fields including: security, physical infrastructure, ICT, governance and rule of law. The JMOC office functions in a highly political environment with a great level of international pressure and scrutiny. JMOC serves both Gaza and West Bank and must be responsive to changing governments, political horizons and policy initiatives. In addition, UNOPS staff may be expected to work in Gaza and the West Bank, both assessed at the level of substantial security risk..
To ameliorate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and advance the protection of civilians, an Access Coordination Unit (ACU) was created to develop a centralized pro-active and sustainable access strategy for the movement of humanitarian personnel and goods. The Access Coordination Unit is a joint project managed, administered and supervised respectively by UN partner agencies OCHA, UNOPS, UNDSS and UNSCO. The ACU aims to provide operational support to UN, Diplomatic Missions, and INGO staff and goods facing access difficulties. Furthermore, the ACU aims to provide the Resident / Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) and UNOCHA Deputy Head of Office with a mechanism for effective dialogue with senior personnel of Host Countries on behalf of all UN Agencies, Donor Agencies, Diplomatic Missions and INGOs.
UNOPS serves as the Administrative Agent for this project whilst UNOCHA, UNDSS and UNSCO serve respectively as programmatic managers and supervisors of this project. In support of its partner organizations, UNOPS is looking to recruit a Local Access Assistant for the Access Coordination Unit project.
The Local Access Assistantwill report directly to the Access and Liaison Specialist S/he will have requisite qualifications along with experience in handling humanitarian access issues.

Description of Responsibilities:
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the guidance and supervision of the Access Coordination Unit Access & Liaison Specialists, the Local Access Assistant will be responsible of:
-Assist Access & Liaison Specialists and Access Coordinator in Access related tasks;
-Assist Access & Liaison Specialists and Access Coordinator in liaising with the authorities restricting accessand the humanitarian staff facing access/security issues in the field;
-Assist Access & Liaison Specialists and Access Coordinator in their liaison with OCHA and other UN agenciesin coordinating ACU tasks;
-Assist Access & Liaison Specialists and Access Coordinatorin ensuring effective reporting;
-Assist Access & Liaison Specialists and Access Coordinator to ensure preparedness of UN Security Management System and staff response to foreseeable access related emergencies through an in-country security training programme, capacity development, and preparedness programme.
-Assist in assessing the UN 'access' related situation based on the information gathering& sharing withAccess & Liaison Specialists and Access Coordinator.
-Responding to access incidents at all external and internal border crossings, terminals and check points throughout Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory for UN and INGOs staff, and negotiating their access by contacting relevant authorities in charge.
-Obtaining permits and coordinates for UN staff to enter/exit the Gaza Strip via Erez crossing by directly negotiating on their behalf with the Israeli authorities.
-Maintain professional relations with the Israeli and the Palestinian authorities and assist in building a special access mechanism for the UN and the INGOs staff  in order to facilitate their access at all external and internal border crossings.
-Negotiate with the Israeli and Palestinian authorities any access problem or any new access procedures in order to obtain a satisfactory access result.
-Follow up on access incidents involving the UN, INGO and Diplomatic staff & goods upon advise of theAccess & Liaison Specialists and Access Coordinator.
-Maintain incident records for reporting and IT/Data Entry/Web purposes.
-Any other access/security, and administrative duties as required.
 

Impact of Results
-The core task of the Local Access Assistant include successful liaison with interlocutors and counterpart  when UN, INGO and Diplomatic staff facing access/security issues in the field, in support to the Access & Liaison Specialists and Access Coordinator.    
-Assess UN 'access' related incidents based on the information gathered and provide that analysis      to Access & Liaison Specialists and Access Coordinator, including identify changes in access policies and practices.
A successful liaison with interlocutors, UN, INGO, and Diplomatic staff members facing access incidents.
UN, INGO and Diplomatic staff receives real time expedited response when faced with access/security issues at checkpoints/borders, Assistance towards effective information analysis, training/briefing of the humanitarian community, and support to the Access & Liaison Specialists and Access Coordinator with specific focus on the ACU tasking.

Competencies :
Professionalism – Excellent knowledge of security/risk management methods or other security specialization, political knowledge of the location; ability to effectively deal with stress factors. Good technical skills to understand and consolidate the varying security specializations.
-Planning and Organization – Proven ability to plan and organize work and establish priorities.
-Communications – Ability to effectively communicate (oral and written), within all levels of the organization. Good drafting and presentation skills.
-Technology awareness –computer skills, particularly in relation to security management and monitoring. Knowledge of VHF/UHF radio systems.
-Teamwork –interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with: U.N. staff, security representatives of local and national governments, with sensitivity and respect for gender, diversity and culture.
 
Qualifications :
Education:
Qualifications:
-Bachelor’s Degree in Political or Social Science, International Relations, Criminology, Police/Security Services or other relevant field. Additional years of relevant work experience in combination with training may substitute for the requirement for a Bachelor’s degree.
-Computer skills to include Microsoft, Adobe, Excel, Internet

Experience:
-A minimum of 3 years of proven experience working in a complex security and emergency situations and exposure to humanitarian access / security requirements; rephrasing this sentence to make it less specified.
-A previous experience of working in and/or knowledge of UN or International Security Operations is an asset.
-Ability to build constructive relationships;
-Proven administrative skills;
-Demonstrated willingness and competence to travel to the field whenever necessary;
-Holding a national driving license is essential;
-Knowledge of security management, crisis management are desirable skills;
-Data maintenance and reporting skills.
 
Language Requirements:
Proficiency in English; fluency in Arabic or Hebrew is highly desirable
“UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer: applications from men and women will be considered equally”

Important message to all applicants!
-Please be aware that the UNDP/PAPP will review your application only if you have uploaded Personal History Form (P.11) to your application. Please download the form from the following link: http://jobs.undp.ps.
-You will get the opportunity to upload the P-11 at when you apply for the position.
-Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications that are under consideration will be contacted.
UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer-
Applications from men and women will be considered equally