ASU Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, established to support the successful implementation of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects globally. With a mission to help people build better lives and achieve sustainable development, UNOPS specializes in areas such as infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources. The organization employs over 4,000 personnel and has approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of its partners across 80 countries, promoting a diverse workforce that enhances its ability to meet partners' needs. UNOPS values work-life harmony and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands, particularly in challenging environments like Palestine, where it has significantly strengthened operations since opening its Jerusalem Office in 2006.

Job Overview:
The ASU Coordinator will play a crucial role in managing the Access Support Unit (ASU), which operates under the leadership of the UN Deputy Special Coordinator/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator (DSC/RC/HC). The ASU is tasked with facilitating the movement of personnel from the United Nations, NGOs, and other international partners within the complex and challenging environment of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt). The Coordinator will be responsible for high-level political advocacy, access negotiations, and providing hands-on support to navigate access restrictions. This position requires a proactive approach to resolving access issues and ensuring the smooth operation of personnel movements, particularly during escalations in the region. The ASU Coordinator will also oversee the operational aspects of the ASU, ensuring effective communication and coordination with various stakeholders, including Israeli and Palestinian authorities, to facilitate access and movement for humanitarian and development efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The ASU Coordinator's responsibilities include liaising with relevant authorities to facilitate access and movement, engaging with partners to ensure coordinated efforts, overseeing a 24/7 access hotline for real-time interventions, providing advisories on personnel movement, and supporting negotiations to improve access for humanitarian and development partners. The Coordinator will also facilitate evacuations during escalations, advise the UN Country Team on common positions regarding movements, analyze the impact of access restrictions, and prepare regular progress reports for the Project Board. Additionally, the Coordinator will manage ASU staff, identify bottlenecks in project implementation, and propose solutions to enhance operational efficiency.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree in political/social science, international relations, project management, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with relevant experience may be accepted. A Technical/Professional Diploma combined with extensive relevant experience or a Secondary Diploma with additional years of experience may also qualify. The position requires at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, crisis management, and development, with specific experience in access negotiations and team leadership. Experience in project management and stakeholder management in a humanitarian context is essential, along with a minimum of 5 years of international experience.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include a Master's degree in a relevant field such as political/social science, international relations, project management, or public administration. Candidates with a first-level university degree and additional relevant experience may be considered. A Technical/Professional Diploma with significant experience or a Secondary Diploma with extensive relevant experience may also be acceptable in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:
The ASU Coordinator position requires a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, and development. Candidates must have experience in humanitarian access matters, including negotiations, and at least 1 year of experience in team leadership and management. Experience in project management, resource mobilization, and stakeholder management in a humanitarian context is also required, with a minimum of 5 years of experience at the international level being essential.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. A working knowledge of Arabic or Hebrew is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to navigate the local context and communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is a temporary appointment at the P4 level, with a contract duration of 8 months and the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from qualified women and underrepresented groups. Candidates should be aware that UNOPS conducts background checks on all potential personnel, and recruitment is contingent on the results of these checks. Additionally, candidates must complete mandatory courses before providing services to UNOPS, which are not compensated.