TA Humanitarian Access Policy Advisor, P-4 EMOPS, NYHQ (364 days)

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.

Purpose of the Position

Under the direct supervision of the Humanitarian Policy Specialist (HPS) for Complex and High Threat Environments, the Humanitarian Access Policy Advisor maintains close collaboration with the Chief of the Humanitarian Policy Section and Principle Security Advisor in EMOPS. The Humanitarian Access Advisor will complete a scoping exercise to establish a UNICEF-wide approach and framework to enable children's access to services and the protection of their rights in crises, with a particular focus on children in hard to reach areas in complex high threat environments. In addition to development of a UNICEF access framework, the advisor shall eventually advise management on modalities, accountabilities, capacities required, structures and decision and reporting lines at HQ, regional and country office levels.

Key Functions, Accountabilities and Related Duties

1. Through consultation with headquarters, regional and country staff, establish Reference Group to guide development of an organizational approach to principled humanitarian access;
2. In collaboration HPS, Office of Security Coordination (OSC), the Reference Group, map and collect UNICEF organizational practices, procedures, lessons and challenges related to humanitarian access from country, regional and headquarters staff and offices.
3. In collaboration with HPS, OSC, the Reference Group, and relevant external partners and experts, map and review international UN, IO and NGO policy and operational procedures and practices related to humanitarian access.
4. Analyze trends, opportunities and challenges related to principled humanitarian access for UNICEF.
5. Draft a Concept Note on Principled Humanitarian Access for UNICEF, outlining a proposed organizational approach to Access, including proposed process and structure, roles, responsibilities, accountabilities and decision tree at HQ, regional and country office level.
6. Identified required staff, profiles, skills and capacities to address access constraints and implement the proposed organizational approach to principled humanitarian access, including through humanitarian negotiation.  
7. Building on existing recognized training programmes and UNICEF humanitarian capacity building initiatives, identify and propose capacity building and training programmes, tools, and methods to support the planning, implementation and evaluation of the proposed organizational approach to principled humanitarian access.
8. Based on duties 1-8, develop a draft UNICEF Principled Humanitarian Access Framework.
9. Establish an active UNICEF network on humanitarian access and humanitarian negotiations.

Impact of Results

Development of a UNICEF organizational approach and system on Principled Humanitarian Access, and building organizational capacities to implement the approach, will support UNICEF's programmes to enable children's access to humanitarian assistance and the protection of their rights, with a focus on children in hard to reach areas, in particular in complex and high threat environments. This clarity and enhanced capacity will improve UNICEF's ability to fulfilll its mandate in such environments, while minimizing and mitigating risk to personnel, implementing partners, assets and operations.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

1. Education

An Advanced University Degree in a discipline related to Humanitarian Assistance, International Relations, Humanitarian Law, Conflict Analysis, Risk Management, Intelligence Analysis, Diplomatic Studies and/or Political Science.

*First university degree with additional two-years of relevant work experience is acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree.

2. Work Experience

• Minimum eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian contexts, including at the national and/or international level working with the United Nations, international organizations, international NGOs and/or government.
• A good understanding on international law, humanitarian principles, the UN Security Management System, and the broader humanitarian system and trends affecting humanitarian affairs.
• Solid experience in humanitarian access, humanitarian negotiation, team leadership, and delivery in high threat environments. Knowledge and field experience of UNICEF programmes in complex and high threat emergency environments desired.

3. Language

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset.

Competencies of Successful Candidate

1. Core Values

• Commitment
• Diversity and inclusion
• Integrity

2. Core Competencies

• Communication (II)
• Working with people (II)
• Drive for results (II)

3. Functional Competencies

• Coping with Pressure and Setbacks (III)
• Analyzing (III)
• Applying technical expertise (III)
• Relating and networking (II)
• Deciding and Initiating action (II)
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts (II)

Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offers of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service