The Position:
The protracted humanitarian crisis in Palestine worsened significantly in October 2023, and UNFPA has shifted its development and humanitarian nexus approach to one that is predominantly acute humanitarian.
The volume of resources and the complexity of the UNFPA operation in Palestine increased sharply and requires new skill sets, including that of a Humanitarian Coordinator.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
The incumbent will ensure effective and efficient programmatic and operational coordination of UNFPA’s humanitarian programming while providing strategic leadership and management to the Palestine Country Programme. The thematic focus of the humanitarian support will be centered on GBV and Sexual and
Reproductive Health, but will also coordinate the country office’s overall humanitarian response and planning related to other areas falling under UNFPA’s mandate, including -but not necessarily limited to-youth and data. Coordinates a team of professionals across several programme streams. Timely implementation,
You would be responsible for:
A. Coordination of the CO humanitarian interventions
● Coordinate the implementation of humanitarian interventions as outlined in Humanitarian Appeal; and lead the provision of UNFPA inputs in the development of inter-agency, humanitarian appeals and other programming instruments, in line with the UNFPA Strategic Plan.
● Play a leading role in humanitarian preparedness and response at national level and participate and / or represent and / or coordinate for UNFPA in the humanitarian inter-agency/inter-cluster meetings as needed in Palestine (specifically Health, Protection, GBV sub-cluster, Cash and other clusters as needed), noting that UNFPA is leading GBV AoR in Palestine and leads the RH Working Group under the Health Cluster, for the SRHiE programming including for RH supplies.
● Work as an integrated senior member as part of the Country Office on internal coordination of humanitarian initiatives, especially establishing strong inter-linkages between national CO capacities and related national and international staff especially for technical and programmatic areas.
● Leads the capacity development of the Country Office to ensure efficient delivery of humanitarian programs on key humanitarian thematic such as IASC guidelines, humanitarian response management.
● Oversee and facilitate the update of the CO’s emergency preparedness plans (MPAs) and contingency plan and support expediting response in the event of an emergency/post-crisis.
● Coordinate and lead on CO humanitarian preparedness initiatives such as establishing arrangements for supplies to the last mile, ICT transport and security.
● Advise the Rapid Response Mechanism to integrate SRHR/GBV components in their response.
● Participate and / or represent UNFPA in UN inter-agency meetings for humanitarian and security crisis management (HCT, SMT) as needed and upon request by the Representative
● Coordinate and provide strategic leadership support for strategic planning related to Disaster Risk Preparedness and Reduction, monitoring of the humanitarian situation and assessments.
● Regularly liaise with relevant HQ units and ASRO (especially the Programme and Humanitarian Support Team) to provide updates and troubleshoot issues as needed.
B. Strategy, Leadership, Management, and UN Reform
● Working closely with and in support of the Representative, lead the positioning of UNFPA on strategic and substantive issues in the Country, guided by UNFPA global and regional policies and strategies:
● Scan national, regional and global environments, assess implications for the work of the Fund in the Country, take action and/or advise the Representative accordingly;
● Identify UNFPA’s comparative advantage and identify specific roles and contribution in the national development agenda;
● Informed by thorough analysis and data, advise the Representative on policy, strategies, and direction of programmes to accelerate attainment of ICPD and UNFPA transformative goals in the Country.
● Support advocacy and policy dialogue for concerted action by the international community, the UN System and national counterparts on critical issues related to population dynamics, sexual and reproductive health and rights, women and girls’ rights, adolescents and youth development, ensuring that they are adequately reflected in national priorities, development frameworks, and United Nations Sustainable Development framework in the Country, UNSDCF;
● Represent UNFPA as appropriate/delegated, in organizational, regional, global, public information/relations events and key meetings to contribute to strategic discussions on programming issues, policy dialogue, discuss initiatives, report on progress achieved, present papers/ideas and/or
advocate UNFPA’s vision in the Country that is consistent with UNFPA’s Strategic Plan and supportive of national development goals and priorities.
● Actively support the UN Reform process; proactively participate in interagency Programme Management Team and ensure that UNFPA is adequately represented in relevant technical thematic groups;
● Represent the UNFPA Representative in the UN Country Team (UNCT), collaborate with the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) and UN system partners to strengthen UN system interagency coherence, collaboration, cooperation and harmonization of programming,
common services and operations. Ensure organizational position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated in the UN Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF) planning and priority setting in the Country;
● Actively promote effective coordination, cooperation and collaboration with other UN agencies, promoting and facilitating a system of mutual accountability for UNSDF results.
C. Assessment and Planning:
● Provide strategic and substantive inputs to the CO in preparing different strategies for and responses to the multiple crises in Palestine. In close collaboration with the CO M&E colleagues responsible for assessment and planning processes, including engagement in Rapid Humanitarian multi-sectoral
integrated Assessments/MIRA, Flash Appeal/Strategic Response Plan Revision, UNFPA’s Emergency Response Plan, Supply Strategy, Integrated M&E Plan, setting up Humanitarian Program Monitoring and Evaluation systems etc.
● Ensure that the needs and assessment outcomes are analyzed and addressed appropriately in the Humanitarian Framework.
● Provide strategic advice and lead on the environment and humanitarian scan of the situation and actors for possible partnerships and strengthening collaboration with ongoing humanitarian actors.
● Coordinate and provide strategic inputs to monthly CO humanitarian analysis, documentation of lessons learnt regarding to SRHR/GBV/Youth in emergency programme and coordination actions
D. Programmatic and operational support to emergency response:
● Coordinate and provide strategic inputs in the CO preparation of humanitarian strategy including key deliverables in the first 48 hours of an emergency (ie: internal SitReps, CERF and key bilateral donor proposals, contacting IPs, planning with CO team on response, etc.).
● Lead the CO on expediting CERF and other non-core humanitarian funds implementation – assist with planning for activities, working with partners in various areas.
E. Communication:
● Provide strategic advice and substantive inputs to the CO (especially the communications team) in preparation of any external communications materials as needed including external SitReps, UNFPA statement, key advocacy messages and plan of action, fact sheets as well as internal information
briefs for HQ units, HRD, ASRO and other as needed.
F. Partnership and Resource Mobilization:
● Lead/Support Cluster/Sector and UNCT Coordination in the hubs as necessary for UNFPA supported humanitarian initiatives.
● Maintain a close collaboration with humanitarian actors, including with government, UN, civil society organizations.
● Reinforce/develop strategic partnerships with potential donors and private organizations engaged in the humanitarian response.
● Initiate and provide support in resource mobilization efforts for the CO’s humanitarian initiatives.
Engage in humanitarian funding discussions and ensure the production of funding proposals and meets donor reporting requirements as needed.
G. Advice on procedures in place for the humanitarian response:
● Document lessons learnt and prepare handover notes.
● Undertake field travel to crisis affected areas, as needed and dependent on the security situation.
● Ensure the development and endorsement by Headquarters of Fast Track Procedure (FTP) to facilitate financial and administrative management in emergencies.
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Advanced university degree in Humanitarian Assistance (including Humanitarian-related Applied and Social
Sciences), Public Health, Social Sciences, Demography, Gender and/or other related fields.
Knowledge and Experience:
● At least 10 years of relevant experience preferably in humanitarian affairs, emergency relief
management, public health or other related areas, prior experience in the region an asset.
● Strong knowledge of humanitarian context, humanitarian architecture, the IASC guidance and
roles/responsibilities of humanitarian actors.
● Experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian programming and coordination.
● Experience of managing humanitarian grants or familiarity with requirements of institutional donors
such as CERF, USAID, ECHO...
● Proven management, coordination and budget monitoring of humanitarian programming and
development skills,
● Analytical and strategic thinking, results oriented, commitment to excellence and able to work
efficiently under high pressure. Ability to deal with difficult, complex work situations
● Track record of building strategic alliances and partnerships, strong communication and networking
skills; strong organizational skills,
● Appropriate and transparent decision-making abilities,
● Knowledge and understanding of UN humanitarian relief operations and procedures,
● Good level of emotional intelligence, empathy, and conflict management as well as negotiating
skills, Experience in the UN system would be an asset.
Languages:
Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Arabic an asset.
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