Regional Access Officer

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Position Title: Regional Access Officer
Location: Kandahar, Herat, Jalalabad, Kabul
Country: Afghanistan
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is the lead UN agency focused on ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. Established in 1969, UNFPA operates in over 150 countries and territories, employing thousands of staff dedicated to advancing reproductive health and rights. The organization is committed to achieving three transformative results by 2030: ending preventable maternal deaths, ending unmet needs for family planning, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices. UNFPA's mission is to promote the rights of individuals to make informed choices about their reproductive health, and to ensure that these rights are respected and upheld globally, particularly in challenging environments like Afghanistan.

Job Overview:
The Regional Access Officer will play a pivotal role in enhancing UNFPA's humanitarian access support in Afghanistan, particularly in regions facing significant operational challenges due to local de facto authorities. This position is crucial for ensuring that UNFPA's programs can be implemented effectively and safely, despite the complex political and social dynamics at play. The officer will be responsible for facilitating engagements with local authorities and implementing partners, monitoring access to services, and providing critical contextual information to ensure that UNFPA's sensitive services are delivered in alignment with humanitarian principles. The role requires a deep understanding of the local context and the ability to navigate the challenges posed by the current operational environment. The officer will also be expected to maintain strong relationships with local communities and authorities to enhance UNFPA's capacity to respond to emerging challenges.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Regional Access Officer will be responsible for guiding and implementing UNFPA's access framework, ensuring that it aligns with humanitarian principles and local operational needs. Key duties include establishing and maintaining relationships with local authorities and stakeholders, leading training events on humanitarian access, conducting regional trend analysis, synthesizing access reports, and presenting updates to senior management. The officer will also identify access barriers, participate in stakeholder meetings to address these challenges, and collaborate with regional security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security teams to assess and mitigate risks related to humanitarian access. Regular coordination meetings with field offices and partners will be essential to ensure consistent reporting and effective troubleshooting of access issues. The officer will also be tasked with performing any additional duties as required by the Head of the Area Office or Humanitarian Access Specialist.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in social science, International Studies, religious studies, or a related field. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be considered. A minimum of two years of relevant experience in humanitarian programming, crisis management, or humanitarian access is required, with experience in humanitarian coordination being highly desirable. Previous work with UN agencies or international NGOs is considered an asset. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of international law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">humanitarian law and principles, as well as experience in humanitarian access negotiations and stakeholder engagement.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in social science, International Studies, religious studies, or a related field is required for this position. In cases where a candidate holds a Bachelor's degree, they must also have two additional years of qualifying experience in relevant fields to be considered for the role. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and analytical skills to navigate the complexities of humanitarian access in Afghanistan.

Experience:
The position requires at least two years of relevant experience in humanitarian programming, crisis management, or humanitarian access. Candidates with experience in humanitarian coordination will be given preference. Previous experience working with UN agencies or international NGOs is highly desirable, as it indicates familiarity with the operational standards and challenges faced in humanitarian contexts. The candidate should also have a proven track record of engaging with local authorities and stakeholders in complex environments, particularly in Afghanistan.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both verbal and written, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, proficiency in Pashto and Dari is required, as these languages are essential for effective communication with local authorities and communities. Candidates who possess language skills in other regional dialects or languages may be considered favorably, as this can enhance engagement with diverse populations in the regions of operation.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a roving role, requiring frequent travel within Afghanistan, particularly to Kandahar, Jalalabad, and Herat, as well as occasional travel to other parts of the country as necessary. The role is full-time and involves working closely with various stakeholders to ensure effective humanitarian access. UNFPA promotes a work environment that values gender equality, diversity, and integrity, and encourages applications from women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups. The organization is committed to providing equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation, and selection for all candidates.