Local Access and Liaison Assistant

Vacancy code VA/2014/B5106/5687
Position title Local Access and Liaison Assistant (Gaza)
Department/office AEMO, JMOC, Jerusalem
Duty station Gaza, with occasional travel to Jerusalem, Palestine (State of)
Duration One year (initial contract will be for three months, with possibility of extension)
Application period 07-Aug-2014 to 14-Aug-2014

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.
 
Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.
 
Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner expectations.
 
We employ more than 6,000 personnel and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.



Background Information - Job-specific

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 administered by UNOPS and supervised by the Deputy Special / Resident / Humanitarian Coordinator (DSC/RC/HC). 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 (DSC/RC/HC) 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 and UNSCO serve respectively as programmatic managers and supervisors of this project. The ACU currently has one International Access and Liaison Specialist (Gaza) for the Access Coordination Unit project serving in Gaza. UNOPS intends to recruit a Local Access and Liaison Assistant (Gaza) to provide support and assistance to the International ACU Specialist and cover tasks in his absence.

Functional Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Access Coordinator, the Local ACU Assistant will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following functions and responsibilities:

 

1-Providing technical support to ACU beneficiaries; this includes;
Follow up on access incidents involving the UN, INGO and Diplomatic staff & goods upon advise of the International ACU Specialist and serve as a focal point for incidents at all Gaza related crossings;
Being physically present in Gaza to enable greater ACU availability and the ability to respond to requests for support, especially from INGOs, in a more timely fashion;
Supporting response to access incidents at all Gaza crossings.
Assist in providing trainings to INGO staff on access issues  experienced at all Gaza crossings Assist in ongoing negotiations with relevant interlocutors  for the entry of goods into Gaza for UN agencies  and INGO projects;
Assist in the negotiation and support for the entry of emergency equipment and staff, before, during and after an emergency;

2-Coordination mechanism; this includes:
Assist in convening the Access Working Group for UN Staff Movement in Gaza and the Access Working Group for Goods in Gaza, identifying priorities amongst these working groups and assisting in addressing issues raised in these forums;
Assist in strengthening and further developing a liaison mechanism(s) with local authorities in Gaza to better respond to an increase in access restrictions identified;
Assisting with trainings presented to Gaza interlocutors on behalf of UN agencies in regards to the purpose of the UN, UN Privileges & Immunities, and the procedures at crossings and checkpoints;

 

3-Providing information, analysis and reporting; this includes:
Regular participation in UN and INGO forums in Gaza  and Gaza-based workshops and conferences which provide a platform for more efficient information sharing;
In the face of increasing requests for information, expand and administer the data collection base related to access and movement..

 
-Any other access/security and administrative duties as required

 

Competencies
-Professionalism – Excellent knowledge of security/risk management methods combined with a solid background of military or other security specialization and some 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 presentational skills.
-Technology awareness – Good computer skills, particularly in relation to security management and monitoring. Knowledge of VHF/UHF radio systems.
-Teamwork – Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with: UN, INGO and diplomatic staff, security representatives of local and national governments, with sensitivity and respect for gender, diversity and culture.
-Ability to make quick decisions in emergencies or when rapid response is required.
-Ability to manage and motivate a team Initiative and sound judgment; dedication to the United Nations principles and demonstrated ability to work in harmony with persons of different national and cultural background.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a-Education
-Bachelor’s Degree in Political or Social Science, International Relations, Criminology, Police/Security Services or other relevant field. Additional years of relevant work experience gained while serving in the development and humanitarian fields especially in regards to access in combination with training may substitute for the requirement for a Bachelor’s degree.
-Computer skills including Microsoft Office and Internet are essential.


b-Work Experience
-A minimum of 3 years of proven experience working in a complex security and emergency situations and exposure to humanitarian access requirements;


Other Skills:
-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.

 

c-Languages
-Fluency in both written and verbal English and Arabic is required.
-Intermediate written and verbal Hebrew skills are desirable.

 

Contract type, level and duration

Apply Now

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: Local ICA level 3
Contract duration: One year (initial contract will be for three months, with possibility of extension)


For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer /Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS. 

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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