167 - UNOPS Local Access Assistant - Jerusalem

Application Type : External Vacancy
Job ID/Title : 167 - UNOPS Local Access Assistant
Category :
Brand : UN Organization
Post Level : ICA3
Application Deadline : 08-May-09
Duty Station : Jerusalem
Type of Contract : Other
Post Number :
(for 100 Series Contracts)
ICA3
Languages Required :
Arabic, English,
Starting Date :
(date when the selected canditate is expected to start)
Duration of Initial Contract : One Year, with possible extension
Expected Duration of Assignment :
Background:
The lack of unfettered humanitarian access within and in and out of the West Bank and Gaza Strip has led to a significant rise in the time and costs involved in delivering humanitarian assistance and protection to civilians. Against the backdrop of a worsening situation in the oPt, any effort to protect the vulnerable population and bring humanitarian relief is destined to be compromised further still.
 
In an attempt to ameliorate the delivery of assistance and advance the protection of civilians, the Access Support Team was established to develop a centralised, pro-active and sustainable access strategy and support team for humanitarian personnel and goods.
 
The purpose of Access Support Team, based at UN premises in Jerusalem, is to provide the UN Resident / Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) with information for effective interventions and dialogue with senior personnel within the Israeli Ministry of Defense, IDF and COGAT on behalf of all UN agencies and international NGOs. Furthermore, the AST exists to enhance the operational support to humanitarian staff and goods when facing access difficulties. 
 
The UNDSS component of the AST, under the overall supervision of the Chief Securiy Adviser (CSA), will consist of one Access Coordinator responsible for operational tasking and coordination of the Local Access Assistants (LAA), collation and dissemination of access related reports, ensuring consistency in the policies deriving from the Access Support Team, and the real-time advice provided by the Joint Security Coordination Office located at the UNDSS Jerusalem Office. The JSCO Radio Room will be supported by two additional radio operators who will be part of the AST in order to meet the increased demand of access issues. In addition, three UNDSS Local Access Assistants will provide an Israeli ‘outreach’ perspective and specialised support to staff and goods facing access difficulties.
 
The LAA AST will report to the Access Coordinator . He/she will have experience in handling humanitarian access issues.
 
 
 
Description of Responsibilities:
Under the guidance and supervision of the Access Support Team Access Coordinator, the LAA will be responsible for all aspects of the liaison with the relevant host country counterparts and assitance to the Access Coordinator on day-to-day operations of access related incidents at the enhanced UNDSS Joint Security Coordination Office at Jerusalem through the Access Support Team.
 
Main activities:
-          Respond to access incidents on a 24/7 basis.
-          Follow up on the access incidents upon advice of the AC (information gathering, liaison, reporting, etc).
-          Assist the Access Coordinator in AST related tasks within the areas of responsibility.
-          Under the auspices of UNDSS conduct liaison with the host country authorities when UN staff face access issues.
-          Under the auspices of UNOCHA conduct liaison with the host country authorities when INGO and diplomatic staff and UN, INGO and diplomatic goods face access issues.
-          Under the auspices of UNSCO and tasking of the AC, assist in the securing the necessary documentation and coordination for the access of staff and goods within the designated area of responsibility.
-          Provide training and advise to UN, INGOs and Diplomatic Missions for access of personnel and goods.
-          Liaise with UNDSS, OCHA, UNSCO,UNOPS and other UN, INGO agencies and diplomatic missions and host country authorities within the area of responsibility in coordinating the AST tasks.
-          Assist the AC in ensuring effective reporting on AST tasks and updatingof OCHA-ACIS database.
-          Assist the AC to ensure preparedness of UN Security Management System and staff to respond to foreseeable access related emergencies through an in-country access training programme, capacity development, and preparedness programme, as requested.
-          Gathering, analyzise and report access information and share the analysis with the AC, on a systematic and regular basis.
-          Prepare reports as required.
-          Any other access and administrative duties as required by the AC, including tasks in another area of responsibility.
-           
Competencies :
-          Police or Military establishment and exposure to humanitarian access / security requirement
-          Excellent interpersonal skills
-          A previous experience of working in and/or knowledge of UN Security Operations is an asset.
-          Ability to build constructive relationships with the Host Countries' Government and other local authorities;
-          Proven management and administrative skills;
-          Demonstrated willingness and competence to travel to the field whenever necessary.
-          Holding a national driving license is essential.
-          Knowledge of Security management, counter-terrorism, intelligence management, crisis management, are desirable skills.
Qualifications :
Education/Experience/Language
-          A college diploma or a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, International Relations, International Humanitarian Law, Police / Military and Security Services, or the equivalent training and experience gained while serving as a mid management level police of military member.
-          A minimum of 3-6 years of proven experience working in a complex security and emergency situations in Israeli
-          Fluency in spoken and written English. Arabic, is highly desirable. Excellent command over Hebrew is required for this position. Working knowledge of other UN official language is a benefit.
-          Computer literate especially Word and Excel.
Additional Considerations
 
-               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 reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.
 
For more information on UNOPS, including its core values and competencies, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org.
“ UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer: applications from men and women will be considered equally”