UNSCO/Coordination Officer

 

Deadline for Applications: 31 January 2010

Women are strongly encouraged to apply

The Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) invites applications for the following position:

TITLE: Coordination Officer
LEVEL: NO-C***
DUTY STATION: Ramallah

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the UNSCO Head of Coordination, the incumbent will represent the Resident Coordinator’s Office in Ramallah. Within the limits of delegated authority, the Officer will:

1-Serve as the Resident Coordinator’s (RC) liaison to the Palestinian Authority (PA), with a primary focus on strengthening the RC/PA relationship and developing proposals for enhancing UN support to Palestinian state-building;
2-Monitor the development of PA national plans and initiatives and identify areas for UN intervention and support;
3-Monitor and report on significant humanitarian and resident coordination-related developments within the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt);
4-Maintain close contact and strong working relationships with PA officials and institutions;
5-On request of the PA and with the approval of the RC/HC, coordinate and facilitate the entry of special humanitarian shipments or project supplies into and out of Gaza;
6-Serve as the RC/UNSCO liaison to international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), with a view to enhancing UN/NGO coordination and identifying areas for potential collaboration;
7-Attend NGO meetings, conferences and public events and monitor and report on significant developments;
8-Prepare briefing notes, talking points, correspondence and reports as required;
9-Respond to requests for information from both internal and external interlocutors on behalf of the RC/UNSCO;
10-Liaise closely with other members of the RC office and UNSCO colleagues to ensure a coordinated approach to the issues covered;
11-Assist in the organization of meetings, seminars or conferences convened by the RC office or UNSCO as requested;
12-Perform other duties as required.

COMPETENCIES:

-Professionalism:
Ability to perform a broad range of functions, illustrates competency and understanding of Humanitarian and Coordination issues especially as they pertain to the role of State Planning and Coordination. Competent analytical and conceptual skills. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

-Communication:
Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

-Teamwork:
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

-Planning & Organizing:
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

-Commitment to Continuous Learning:
Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

-Technological Awareness:
Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

-Education:
University degree preferably in political or social science, international studies, public administration, economics or in a technical (e.g. engineering, earth sciences, etc.) or other relevant field;
-Experience:
At least 5 years with a master’s degree or equivalent (7 years with a BA) of progressively responsible professional experience in the specific sector of responsibility or related areas such as working with NGOs and/or international relief or peace keeping operations in sustainable development activities, at least 2 of which are field experience in Humanitarian & Coordination efforts.
-Language:
Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is essential; knowledge of a third official UN language an advantage and sometimes requirement.

*Preference will be given to internal candidates who are at the same grade as the post being advertised, then to internal candidates one grade below the post, and finally to external candidates.

**Equally-qualified female candidates will be given priority for selection (DPKO Under-Secretary General’s Policy Statement on Gender Mainstreaming).

***Locally-recruited General Service (GS) staff interested in applying for a National Professional Officer (NPO) post must meet the minimum requirements of the post, including academic qualifications and years of relevant professional experience. Experience in the General Service category does not count as professional experience. If selected, the GS staff member will be required to resign his/her current post before taking up the NPO post. There will be no break in service between the two types of appointments.

Completed application letters, together with an up-to-date Personal History Form (P.11) and copies of Academic Certificate(s) and/or High School Diploma, should refer to the above vacancy announcement number and should be forwarded to:

UNSCO
Personnel Section
P.O.Box 490
Jerusalem 91004, Israel
Fax No. 02-5687299 or, preferably, by e-mail to: [email protected]