ACU Access and Liaison Specialist

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 74,649 USD and 97,747 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

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 managed, administered and supervised respectively by UN partner agencies OCHA, UNOPS, 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) 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. In support of its partner organizations, UNOPS intends to recruit an international Access and Liaison Specialist (Gaza) for the Access Coordination Unit project.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of the ACU Access Coordinator, the Access and Liaison Specialist (Gaza) will support and effectively lead the work of the Access Coordination Unit in Gaza.

S/he will be responsible for all aspects of the liaison with the relevant Israeli and Palestinian counterparts and assistance to the Access Coordinator on day-to-day operations of ACU in Gaza. S/he will serve as the ACU focal point on Gaza access of humanitarian and development personnel and goods.

Reporting directly to the Access Coordinator and within delegated authority, the Access and Liaison Specialist (Gaza), will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following functions and responsibilities:

Represents the ACU in Gaza

• Head of ACU Gaza office.
• Oversees the work of ACU in Gaza, representing ACU with relevant authorities and partners, including UN, NGOs, and diplomatic missions.
• Manages Local Access and Liaison Officer(s) in Gaza.

Oversees ACU liaison with relevant authorities

• Represents the ACU with relevant Palestinian and Israeli authorities.
• Develops and maintains relationships with relevant authorities to better respond to access restrictions, including developing appropriate liaison mechanism(s) for UN and INGOs.
• Provides insights to the Access Coordinator for the purpose of further strengthening ACU's communication with relevant authorities.

Oversees Gaza access coordination mechanisms:

• Provides assistance to the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) through the Access Coordinator on issues related to Gaza access.
• Represents ACU on the UN Gaza Team, Area Security Management Team (ASMT), the Inter-Cluster Coordination Group (ICCG), and other Gaza fora.
• Represents ACU in AIDA and other coordination meetings with NGOs in Gaza, in coordination with the ACU INGO focal point.
• Convenes the Gaza Access Working Group and, identifying priorities and addressing issues raised.
• Provides access briefings to UN/NGOs and visiting diplomatic missions/donors.

Analysis and reporting:

• Monitors, analyzes and reports on humanitarian access constraints, trends and initiatives, or emergency situations in Gaza.
• Ensures appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms; responsibility for trend analysis; provides information and advice on a range of issues related to Gaza.
• Proposes relevant topics, undertakes research, prepares or contributes to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g., drafts sections of studies, background papers, policy guidelines, briefings, SOPs, case studies, presentations, etc.
• Identifies and highlights new and ongoing Gaza access constraints and recommends action for the Access Coordinator and DSC/HC/RC.
• Serves as the primary Gaza focal point on specific topics or policy-related issues; keeps abreast of latest developments, liaises with other humanitarian organizations, donors, etc.

Providing technical support to ACU partners:

• Follow up on access incidents involving the UN, NGO and Diplomatic staff and goods.
• Coordinate response to access incidents at all Gaza crossings and checkpoints
• Provide training to UN/INGO staff on access issues and humanitarian negotiations.
• Responsible for negotiations with relevant interlocutors for the movement of UN, NGO and diplomatic mission personnel.
• Support UN agencies, NGOs and diplomatic missions in obtaining coordination/permits with the relevant authorities.
• Respond to and ensure logging of access incidents in the oPt via the ACU 24/7 hotline.

Emergency Response

• Represent ACU in the Gaza Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC) and other emergency response mechanisms under the Inter-agency Contingency Plan.
• Lead Gaza-level ACU negotiation, coordination, and support for the entry and exit of emergency equipment and staff, before, during and after an emergency.
• Serve as Civil-Military Coordination Officer in Gaza
• Manage the evacuation of dual nationals during an emergency.

Impact of results

The Access and Liaison Specialist (Gaza) will support the easing of access constraints on humanitarian and development operations in Gaza, the delivery of humanitarian and development assistance, and the advancement of the protection of civilians. The Access and Liaison Specialist (Gaza) will monitor and analyze access trends in Gaza with a particular emphasis on the movement of humanitarian staff and goods and the overall humanitarian impact of lack of access on all beneficiaries in Gaza.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - Master’s Degree in Political Science, International Relations, Law, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights or another related field of study. Additional two years of relevant work experience, in combination with a relevant bachelor’s degree, may substitute for the requirement for a master’s degree. - Qualification in negotiations, in particular as it relates to humanitarian access, is preferred

Other Skills

• Conversant in humanitarian affairs and aid in the State of Palestine is desired.
• Ability to build constructive relationships with the Governments of Israel and Palestine, other regional governments and other local authorities is highly desired.
• Holding a driving license is essential.
• Knowledge of crisis management, access management, and the UN security management system are desirable skills.
• Ability to travel throughout Israel, Gaza Strip, West Bank and the region is required.
• Computer literate especially Google Suite and Microsoft Office is desired.

b. Work Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience working in a complex security environment, preferably with relevant authorities such as Defense, Police, Ministry of Interior, diplomatic missions, UN and INGO and other local authorities.
• Exposure to humanitarian access.
• Negotiations experience required, preferably as it relates to humanitarian access.
• Experience in civil military coordination is a distinct advantage.
• Background and work experience on issues related to Israeli-Palestinian conflict is desirable.
• Experience in working with international organizations is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in spoken and written English is essential. Knowledge of Arabic and Hebrew is desirable

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Staff

Contract level: P3 Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability'

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.