UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY
FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST
UNRWA
UNRWA is the United Nations agency responsible for the protection, care and human development of a population of some 5 millionPalestinerefugees living in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank,Jordan,Lebanonand theSyrianArabRepublic. UNRWA is committed to assistingPalestinerefugees in maintaining a decent standard of living, acquiring appropriate knowledge and skills, enjoying the fullest possible extent of human rights, and leading a long and healthy life. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in theMiddle Eastwith more than 29,000 staff. Most of these staff are refugees themselves, working directly to benefit their communities – as teachers, doctors, nurses or social workers. For its international team, UNRWA is seeking to employ a qualified:
Access Officer
Under the direct supervision of the Operations Officer, West Bank and the overall management and strategic oversight of the Director of UNRWA Operations, West Bank and in accordance with the established Agency policy and procedures, the Access Officer will:
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Act as the point of contact for access issues within the West Bank Field, facilitating the operational response to incidents as they occur and following up on all aspects of access problems for staff, in particular civil-military coordination for access issues;
- In conjunction with the West Bank Radio Room and the Operations Office Research Unit, monitor and report on access related problems experienced by the West Bank Field; be responsible for maintaining and improving mechanisms and indicators for intervention;
- Provide input and briefings to key stakeholders; establish and maintain functioning liaison relationships with key Israeli and Palestinian authorities;
- Coordinate the response to access related problems experienced by the West Bank operations with inter-agency representatives in order to ensure consistent operational responses and prepare interventions with the highest levels of the government ofIsrael;
- Develop and maintain an access strategy for UNRWA operations in the West Bank within the larger context of the access situation prevailing in theWest Bank;
- Identify potential scenarios for access in theWest Bankand recommend operational and policy responses, maintaining ‘best practice’ in securing humanitarian access;
- Provide orientation/training to the West Bank Field Office staff and other UNRWA staff on access issues/guidelines in theWest Bank, including UNRWA staff from other Fields.
Professional Knowledge and Experience
- A university degree in international relations, development, humanitarian affairs, law or related discipline;
- A minimum of six years of experience of humanitarian work of which at least three years should have been in an international organization in complex political settings and/or in conflict/post-conflict situations;
- Experience in dealing with military counterparts;
- Experience in humanitarian negotiations;
- Experience in communicating and applying concepts of international law or other relevant instruments;
- Experience in coordination/facilitating cross-cutting issues;
- Excellent command of spoken and written English.
Competencies
- Excellent interpersonal skills, mature, independent, disciplined and self-confident, with an ability to work under pressure and within a team;
- Proven negotiation skills in conflict situations with interlocutors from operational to policymaking level and ability to remain calm with interlocutors with divergent opinions and in stressful situations;
- Decisive yet flexible, able to assess and analyse situations quickly, objectively and prudently;
- Excellent reporting skills;
- Articulate and politically aware while remaining impartial and discreet at all times.
Desirable Qualifications
- Working knowledge of Arabic and/or Hebrew;
- Knowledge of the history of theMiddle Eastand issues affecting the region;
- Familiarity with movement and access issues in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt);
- Familiarity with UN system and practices;
- Familiarity with relevant international law and conventions;
- Possession of valid driving licence for at least two years.
Equivalency
When the minimum requirements are not fully met, the Director of Human Resources may exceptionally substitute part of the unmet requirements with a combination of relevant academic qualification, additional professional training and progressive relevant work experience. NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.
Additional Information
The incumbent will be required to travel frequently in the West Bank.
Conditions of Service
UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $60,091 net tax free with dependants or $56,091 single, plus post adjustment of 55.2% (subject to change without notice). Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include education grant, dependency allowance, home leave, UN pension fund, health insurance and 6 weeks annual leave per year. All UNRWA duty stations (with the exception ofGaza andSyria) are family duty stations. Initial contract is for one year, with the possibility of further extensions subject to the availability of funds and the continuing need for the post.
How to Apply
To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Please note that UNRWA only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted.
UNRWA does not charge a fee at any stage in the recruitment process.
General Information
UNRWA encourages applications from qualified and experienced women.
UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.
UNRWA is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for human rights, for diversity, and for non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNRWA staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.