Access Coordinator

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 assistance and advance the protection of civilians, an Access Coordination Unit (ACU) was created in 2008 to develop a centralized pro-active and sustainable access strategy for humanitarian and development personnel and goods.

It aims to provide the Deputy Special Coordinator, Humanitarian and Resident Coordinator (DSC/RC/HC) with a mechanism for an effective dialogue with senior personnel of Host Countries on behalf of all UN Agencies, Funds, Programmes, and be an effective operational support for UN, Diplomatic Missions, INGOs staff and goods facing access difficulties.

The ACU, under the overall supervision of the DSC/RC/HC will consist of an Access Coordinator, two other international staff and five national staff. The ACU will be located in Jerusalem and Gaza.

Under the guidance of DSC/RC/HC, the Access Coordinator (AC) will be responsible for the operational aspects of the ACU.

The AC is to maintain the ACU capacity by maintaining coordination mechanisms with all the relevant interlocutors to efficiently carry out access and monitoring support activities.

The core AC tasks include supervision of the operations related to the ACU:

• Supervise and manage the staff of the ACU and their tasks in order to effectively meet the goals of the ACU;
• Update and advise the DSC/RC/HC, in real time, on all access and monitoring related issues;
• Maintain close coordination and communication with all internal and external stakeholders including local authorities related to the UN access and monitoring functions;
• Raise relevant access and monitoring issues with the appropriate parties in order to reach resolution and where required raise these issues to the Office of the DSC/RC/HC;
• Provide recommendations and advice on the governance of the ACU;
• Participate in meetings that concern access and monitoring, including ACU Project Board meetings;
• Be responsible for ensuring consistency in the policies deriving from the UNCT and HCT in regards to access;
• Assist in the preparation of access and monitoring related reports;
• Ensure that relevant forums such as the Access Working Group, are convened to consider and provide recommendations on appropriate policies and actions to be undertaken by the UN in regards to access and monitoring;
• Implementing Access Training for all UN, International NGO and Diplomatic  Staff;
• Be a focal point on access and civil-military coordination issues, ensuring proper coordination with UN, diplomatic and INGO entities.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Supervising the operations of the ACU.
• Reporting to DSC/RC/HC and other stakeholders in regards to ACU activities and issues.
• Reporting to DSC/RC/HC regarding ACU strategy, policy, advocacy efforts and technical issues.
• Develop and maintain coordination relationships with all stakeholders to efficiently carry out access and monitoring support activities. 
• Responsible for ensuring consistency in the policies deriving from the UNCT in regards to access.

Education:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in political/social science or international relations. Relevant Bachelor Degree in related studies, combined with relevant training and experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master degree.
• Other pertinent qualifications in other related skills such as negotiations are an advantage.

Work Experience:

At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in team management, preferably in a humanitarian/development and security context. Additionally experience in dealing with access issues, preferably in the UN environment in Israel and the oPt is an added advantage. Demonstrated experience and exposure in the international arena dealing with security-related issues. Knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations is essential. 

Other Skills:

Humanitarian access, negotiations, security management, operational planning, crisis management, humanitarian/ emergency or disaster planning are desirable skills.

Language:
Fluency in spoken and written English. Working knowledge of other UN official language is an asset.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• 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 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.


APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A ONE-PAGE COVER LETTER WITH THEIR APPLICATIONS.