Background Information - Jerusalem

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 the recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

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

Jerusalem Office – UNOPS Project Management and Infrastructure Centre of Excellence

Since the opening of the Jerusalem Office in 2006, UNOPS has significantly strengthened its operations in Palestine. Our expert knowledge, skills and management systems contribute to the sustainable development of public infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank, including Area C and East Jerusalem.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) is one of the most complex and challenging environments in which the United Nations operates. Access challenges, including movement restrictions, differ greatly across the oPt, primarily due to the range of political, administrative and security measures implemented by Israeli, Egyptian, Jordanian, and Palestinian authorities. Restrictions on access and the movement of people are severe, widespread, costly, and difficult to overcome. These restrictions increase the impoverishment and vulnerability of Palestinians within the oPt, and directly impede humanitarian and development operations. Access Support Unit (ASU)

The ASU is an inter-agency project under the overall leadership of the UN Deputy Special Coordinator/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator (DSC/RC/HC), working with UNSCO and UNOCHA, and administered by UNOPS. ASU provides services to the international system working in Israel/OPT to expedite movements of personnel from the United Nations, NGOs, diplomats, donors, and other international partners. This includes personnel working across the humanitarian, development,
peace and security, and other pillars. ASU achieves these objectives through coordination with national and regional authorities to ease bureaucratic and administrative access impediments to the movement of personnel into and through Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. ASU strengthens the evidence base
and stakeholder awareness on bureaucratic and administrative access impediments through regular production and dissemination of analytical reports and briefings to relevant stakeholders. The ASU reports to the DSC/RC/HC through OCHA and UNSCO’s RCO/CU (the ASU Projective Executives).

The performance of the ASU Coordinator will be managed by UNOPS’ Head of Programme with inputs from technical supervisors in UNSCO/OCHA. Performance records will be kept in the UNOPS system.

Functional Responsibilities
ASU’s Key Functions Are:

Under the overall leadership of the DSC/RC/HC and UNSCO/OCHA, the ASU prepares high-level political advocacy and discussions with the parties that contribute to an easing of restrictions on access and movement in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The ASU engages in and supports access negotiations and advocacy in relation to the movement of humanitarian, development, peace and security, and other pillar personnel and coordinates the implementation of mechanisms agreed with the relevant parties. Hands-on advice and support are provided to help navigate access and movement restrictions in the field. Particularly, the ASU supports international personnel rotations into and out of Gaza, (re-)entry into the country, supporting applications for crossing in and out of Gaza (both on the Israeli and the Palestinian side) as well as movements of international and local personnel into East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank, and intervening when issues arise at checkpoints, crossings (including in the West Bank) or at international borders. Functions/ Key Results Expected:

Under the overall guidance of DSC/RC/HC and direct supervision of the Access focal point at UNSCO RCO/CU and the OCHA Head of CMCoord and Access, the ASU Coordinator will be responsible for the operational aspects of the ASU. The core ASU Coordinator responsibilities include supervision of the operations related to the ASU as follows:

● Liaise with the Israeli Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli Coordination and Liaison Administration to the Gaza Strip (CLA), the Palestinian Prime Minister’s Office, the Palestinian Ministry of Civil Affairs (MoCA), and other stakeholders, as relevant and appropriate, on the facilitation of access and movement of people.
● Engage with partners, in close coordination with UNSCO and OCHA as well as UN and INGOs, to ensure complementarity of efforts on access, including through the existing coordination mechanisms such as the Humanitarian Access Working Group.
● Oversee operation of a 24/7 access hotline to conduct real-time interventions with relevant authorities to resolve access and movement impediments and incidents.
● Provide information (advisories) and support on the movement of personnel (website, emails, and ACU Live mobile app).
● Provide direct support to the UN, international and Palestinian NGOs across the humanitarian and development spectrum, as well as diplomatic missions, to obtain permits, and special coordination.
● Support UNSCO and OCHA’s negotiations to improve movements of humanitarian and development partners, including in response to new or ongoing measures that restrict humanitarian access.
● Facilitate evacuation of dual nationals from Gaza during escalations.
● In consultation with UNSCO and OCHA, advise the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) on common positions with regard to movements of people (UNCT, SMT, HCT, OMT, AIDA, Security Cell, and donor meetings).
● Work with UNSCO and OCHA to analyze the impact of movement and access restrictions, contribute to relevant public advocacy and information products on access and advise the DSC/RC/HC on appropriate advocacy through established coordination mechanisms.
● Provide access/movement information and analysis for reporting, internal working documents, policy papers, advocacy documents, and talking points to ASU board members and donors.
● Preparation of regular progress reporting for the Project Board and other relevant structures and organizing Project Board meetings on time.
● Under the guidance of OCHA and UNSCO RCO/CU (the Project Executives) and UNOPS Head of Programme, ensure proper planning of ASU activities, delivery and performance monitoring, timely reporting, production of knowledge management tools, team management and performance reviews.
● Supervise and manage ASU staff and tasks to meet ASU goals.
● Identification of bottlenecks to implementation of the project which require intervention and propose solutions.

The above responsibilities are subject to change depending on evolution of the situation and access/movement picture on the ground

Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education:

Master’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in political/social science or international relations, Project Management, Business Administration, Political/Security/Development Studies, Public Administration, Anthropology, Law, Economics or other relevant disciplines.

A first-level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and additional two years of experience related to the nature of the position may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. A Technical/Professional Diploma in combination with an additional 4 years (11 in total) relevant, international and national experience OR Secondary Diploma in combination with an additional 6 years’ (13 in total) relevant, international and national experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Work Experience:


At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, rehabilitation, development areas is required.

Experience in humanitarian access matters is required, including experience in access negotiations.

1 Year of Experience in team leadership and management is required.

Experience in project management, including resource mobilization and financial management, results monitoring as well as stakeholder management in a humanitarian/development context required.

At least 5 years of experience at the international level is required.

Experience in the UN Common System or other comparable international organizations is desirable.


Language Recruitments:

Fluency in spoken and written English.
Working knowledge of Arabic or Hebrew is an asset.

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: Temporary Appointment
Contract level: P4
Contract duration: 8 months with intention to extend upon satisfactory of performance and availability of funds



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 Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.

Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

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 ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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