Inter-Agency Coordination Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established on December 14, 1950, by the UN General Assembly. Its mission is to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. UNHCR's primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees, ensuring that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State. The organization aims to provide durable solutions for refugees, including local integration opportunities and resettlement options. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of nearly 120 national and international staff in Poland alone, where it has been active since 199

• The agency works closely with governmental and non-governmental organizations to advocate for an efficient and protection-sensitive asylum system and related policies, particularly in light of the ongoing refugee crisis stemming from the conflict in Ukraine. UNHCR's overarching principles in Poland include localization and centrality of protection, strengthening national systems, and capitalizing on the Global Compact for Refugees (GCR) paradigms to advance the rights of refugees and stateless persons.

Job Overview:
The Inter-Agency Coordination Assistant will play a crucial role in supporting the Inter-Agency unit and sector working groups within UNHCR Poland. This position involves providing secretarial support, including drafting and reviewing meeting minutes, organizing logistics for meetings, and disseminating relevant information to external audiences. The assistant will liaise with partners and information management colleagues to ensure consistency and accuracy in sector updates. The role also includes supporting sector coordinators in reviewing reports from sector partners, mapping funding opportunities for NGOs, and drafting reports for supervisor clearance. The assistant will be responsible for organizing coordination meetings, gathering information from various sources, and contributing to social media content. This position is integral to maintaining effective communication and coordination among partners involved in the Poland Refugee Coordination Model, ensuring that information flows smoothly and that all activities are documented with an Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Inter-Agency Coordination Assistant will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Providing secretarial support to the Inter-Agency unit and sector working groups, which involves drafting and reviewing meeting minutes, maintaining updated recipient lists, and preparing support materials for meetings.
• Organizing logistics for meetings, including transportation and translation support, and disseminating relevant information to external audiences.
• Liaising with partners as requested and coordinating with information management colleagues for sector updates.
• Supporting sector coordinators in reviewing and extracting reports from sector partners on activity info.
• Collecting and disseminating weekly schedules and work plans, maintaining the Inter-Agency calendar, and supporting outreach to partners on financial tracking.
• Mapping funding opportunities for NGOs and sharing timely information with partners.
• Drafting reports for supervisor clearance and organizing coordination meetings.
• Gathering information from UNHCR, partners, and media, and supporting the drafting of content for social media.
• Performing other related tasks as assigned by the supervisor. Additionally, UN Volunteers are encouraged to engage with communities and promote voluntary action through various activities, including participating in UNV events and contributing articles for UNV publications.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Inter-Agency Coordination Assistant position should possess a strong understanding of UNHCR operations and relevant technical capabilities. They should demonstrate discretion, political sensitivity, and the ability to liaise with a range of actors, particularly in senior positions. The ideal candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to work independently, and a commitment to the values and ethical standards of the UN. They should also be responsive and client-oriented, with a strong ability to manage information objectively and confidentially. Candidates should be adaptable, able to work under pressure, and possess effective organizational and problem-solving skills. A commitment to continuous learning and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups are also essential.

Educational Background:
The position requires a relevant educational background, typically a degree in social sciences, international relations, or a related field. Candidates with additional training or certifications in project management, coordination, or humanitarian assistance will be viewed favorably. A strong understanding of refugee issues and the asylum system is also beneficial.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 1-2 years of experience in a similar role, preferably within an international organization or in a humanitarian context. Experience in coordination, project management, or working with NGOs is highly desirable. Familiarity with the refugee situation in Poland and the surrounding region will be an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, both spoken and written. Proficiency in Polish is highly desirable, as it will facilitate communication with local partners and stakeholders. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the refugee population in Poland, such as Ukrainian or Russian, would be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This is a national UN Volunteer assignment, and the selected candidate will be responsible for arranging their own housing and living essentials. The position offers a Monthly Living Allowance of PLN 8096.66, a one-time entry lump sum payment of USD 400, and medical and life insurance through Cigna Private Insurance. Leave entitlements include 2.5 days of annual leave accrued per calendar month, 30 days of certified sick leave, 7 days of uncertified sick leave, and 10 days of learning leave per consecutive 12 months. Maternity leave is provided for 16 weeks, while paternity leave is available for 10 days. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service can be found on the UNV website, and an extension of the assignment may be possible, subject to the availability of funds.