Local Access Associate

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Jerusalem Office – UNOPS Project Management and Infrastructure Centre of Excellence

Since the opening of the Jerusalem Office in 2006, UNOPS has significantly strengthened its operations in Palestine. Our expert knowledge, skills and management systems contribute to the sustainable development of public infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank, including Area C and East Jerusalem.

In recognition of its ability to affect and lead positive change, the Jerusalem Office  has been named the UNOPS Project Management and Infrastructure Centre of Excellence.

The Jerusalem Office is the first UN office to receive the Level 4 P3M3 Maturity Model certification in project management by APMG. This certification demonstrates the well-structured, standardized and defined project management processes and methodologies applied to projects, generating the best results desired by our partners.

This achievement is part of a broader agenda to increase the Office’s impact on development projects, by improving our services and adding value to the outcomes of our partners’ works. The office has benchmarked its capabilities against international industry level standards and through this has achieved several prestigious certifications, including ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety), ISO 14001 (Environment Management) and Level 4 P3M3.

To ameliorate the delivery of humanitarian and development assistance and advance the protection of civilians, an

Access Coordination Unit (ACU) was created to develop a centralized pro-active and sustainable access solution for the movement of humanitarian and development personnel and goods. The ACU is a project managed by UNOPS in support of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UN RC/HC). The ACU aims to provide operational support to UN, Diplomatic Missions, and NGO staff and goods facing access difficulties. In support of its partner organizations, UNOPS is looking to recruit a Local Access Officer to be part of ACU project.

Main activities:

• Develop and maintain strong professional relations with INGOs (AIDA and CAP members).
• Develop professional relations and enhance liaison mechanisms with relevant Israeli authorities and line ministries to support humanitarian staff facing access restrictions in the field.
• Provide access training and advice to UN, INGOs and Diplomatic Missions on access related issues.
• Prepare and provide presentations and training sessions to local military authorities on UN and NGO operations, coordination mechanisms and access related issues, including contingency planning.
• Create monitoring and evaluation tools to support Local Access Advisors and the Access Coordinator in ensuring effective reporting.
• Monitor and manage with the ICT assistant an on-line tracking system to streamline the follow up of permit requests for INGO staff members and to track and monitor the rate of approval, delays in obtaining permits, patterns of restriction and other access related problems.
• Respond to access incidents on a 24/7 basis.
• Identify changes in policy at the national level and develop possible access negotiation strategies to enhance policy advocacy in line with identified humanitarian needs.
• Engage in civil-military coordination based at Erez CLA during emergencies.
• Any other access and administrative duties as required by the Access Coordinator.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• The core task of the Local Access Officer includes successful liaison with interlocutors and counterparts  when UN, NGO and Diplomatic staff face access/security issues in the field, in support to the Access Coordinator.     

•    Assess INGOs’ visa and permit request situation based on the information gathered and provide that analysis to Local Access Advisors and the Access Coordinator.

Final Product

• A successful liaison with interlocutors, UN, NGO and Diplomatic staff members facing access incidents.
• UN, INGO and Diplomatic staff receive real time expedited response when faced with access/security issues at checkpoints/border crossings.
• Contribute towards effective information analysis, training/briefing of the humanitarian community, and support to the Local Access Advisors and Access Coordinator with specific focus on the ACU tasking.

Qualifications Required:

• A Bachelor Degree in International Law, Political or Social Science, International Relations or other relevant field. A technical degree in a relevant field may be accepted.
• Ability to utilize an on-line database system to collect, track and analyse data.
• Civil-Military coordination experience and qualifications is an asset.
• Computer skills to include Microsoft, Adobe, Excel, Internet.

Other Skills:

• Ability to build constructive relationships.
• Demonstrated willingness and competence to travel to the field whenever necessary.
• Holding a national (Israeli) driving license is essential.
• Knowledge of security management and crisis management are desirable skills.
• Data maintenance and reporting skills.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 3 years of proven experience working in a complex security and emergency situations and exposure to humanitarian access / security requirements.
• Previous experience working in and/or knowledge of UN or International Organisations is an asset.
• Previous experience working for Non-Governmental Organizations is an asset.

Language

• Proficiency in English and fluency in Hebrew is essential.
• Fluency in other UN official languages is highly desirable.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.