UNMAS - Community Liaison Assistant

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

Job ID/Title :UNMAS - Community Liaison Assistant
Brand :UNOPS
Application Deadline :03-Feb-12
Duty Station :Gaza
Languages Required :Arabic, English,
Duration of Initial Contract :One Year

Background:
United Nations Mine Action – Gaza Office will continue to implement Operations in Gaza during 2012 for a period of 12 months. This residual capacity will continue to contribute to a safer living and operating environment for the people of Gaza and the Humanitarian development agencies. Through this continued residual mine action capacity, prevention and reduction of the risk of death and injury as a result of UXO contamination will be achieved. This will be achieved by providing technical assistance, the delivery of UXO safety awareness training, limited risk assessments, IED advice and awareness training, and limited UXO/ERW location and marking
Description of Responsibilities:
 
Summary of key functions:
 
Under the direct supervision of the UNMAS Operations Officer the UNMAS Community Liaison Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:
-Assist the Operations Officer in the collection of relevant information from the local community and municipality during field visits.
-Assist the Operations Officer with the Pre, During and Post Clearance activities as and when required to ensure donor visibility and UNMAT activities.
-The CLA is to follow up on victims and communities after incidences involving civilians and complete the casualty report.
-Translation of written documents from Arabic to English and English to Arabic as required by the Operations Officer.
-Provide advice to the Operations Officer on local issues which may affect safety and security of UNMAT Staff.
-Working with the Operations Officer the CLA will support the continued development and delivery of the MRE, SAFFE, and UXO safety awareness presentations in the GAZA(Opt) to UN / INGO / NGO agencies.
-Manage the schedule of MRE and UXO presentations, and ensure a contact list of agencies is maintained.
-Review and develop the MRE and UXO safety awareness training material including fliers, booklets and presentations to be used in the project.
-Update MRE, RA, EOD files on occurrence and submit to the Operations Officer at the end of each working week.
-Submit a monthly statistics report (25th of each month) to the Jerusalem HQ and the Operations Officer
-Monitor staff locations during Risk Assessments, through radio or mobile communications
-Attend and represent the UNMAT at meetings with UN, NGO, and INGO Organisations in the absence of the Translator Liaison Assistant and Operations Officer.
-Any other tasks as may be required by the supervisor or Progarmme Manager
-Driving duties as required.
-Manning the radio, as required,
-Any other tasks and functions assigned by the UNMAT Operations Officer
 
 
Impact of Results
 
-Data collection and follow up on community issues and victims
-Translation of Mine Action documentation Arabic-English and English-Arabic
-Delivery of MRE, SAFFE, and UXO safety training
-Monitoring of Risk Assessments.
-These results will contribute to the delivery of overall project goals and objectives.

Competencies :
 
-Professionalism – Advanced knowledge of the use of information management to improve the business processes; proven and demonstrable experience in analysis of information and capacity to articulate the information management requirements of complex situations requiring a coordinated response between disparate actors; demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to use sound judgment to ensure the effective and timely completion of complex tasks; ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters).
-Communication – Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills including the ability to convey complex information management concepts and recommendations to staff at all levels, both orally and in writing, in a clear, concise style that can be readily understood by non-information management practitioners.
-Teamwork – Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision.
-Planning and Organising – Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
-Accountability – Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; operates in compliance with organisational regulations and rules; supports subordinates and peers, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
-Client Orientation – Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; designs solutions and basis recommendations on the principles of usability; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients’ informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
-Judgment/Decision-making – Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision.
-Commitment to Continuous Learning – Demonstrated history of keeping abreast of new developments in the field plus a commitment to continuous learning.
-Technology Awareness – Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the Office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
-Interpersonal Skills: Must have good interpersonal skills to work under difficult conditions which may require him/her to provide diplomatic solutions to assist the Operations Officer in building relationships with various Local Authorities and NGOs within Gaza. 

 
Qualifications :
Education:
-A bachelors degree in any of the social sciences or literary disciplines.
 
 
Experience:
-At least three years relevant experience working within Gaza as an Interpreter, translator, and Community Liaison preferably with a UN or humanitarian based agency. References should be available.
-Capable of working in a multi-national / cultural environment.
-Experience in a Mine Action work or in Community Liaison Activities will be a distinct advantage.
-Ability and experience in speaking clearly in front of large groups of people.
-Ability to travel throughout Gaza as required.
-Computer literate with Microsoft Office experience is essential.
-In-depth knowledge and experience with the Gaza region and associated security and political situation.
-VHF Radio communication experience and skills.
-Must hold a valid National Drivers License, a current UN drivers license within Gaza would be an advantage.
 
-Fluency in the UN and national language of the duty station.

UNDP actively supports the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the United Nations General Assembly

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