Civil-Military Coordination Officer

Background Information - UNOPS

The UNOPS Hub in Amman implements projects on behalf of UN agencies and bilateral donors and in close coordination with the Government and national authorities. With an established presence across the region, the office runs operations including large-scale procurement, project development and technical management, and provides financial, human resources and infrastructure-related services. The functional objective of UNOPS Hub in Amman is to deliver its projects in an efficient and effective manner and in line with the principles, rules and regulations of UNOPS, so as to achieve the outcomes sought by the clients.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS. 

UNOPS is committed to achieving a fully diverse workforce.

Background Information - Job-specific

The National Civil-Military Coordination Officer reports to the Civil-Military Coordination Unit Team-Leader.

The CMCoord Unit is pivotal to humanitarian activities, providing regular interface with military and other armed actors, updated analysis of the military operations and the resulting humanitarian impact on the population, addressing access constraints through negotiation with senior military stakeholders and also offering deconflcition support to humanitarian partners.

The CMCoord Unit also undertakes access missions to newly retaken and difficult to access areas, opening the way for subsequent assessment and assistance missions by humanitarian partners.

The CMCoord Unit participates regularly in operational meetings, at the strategic level in the Emergency Cell, as well as regularly briefing the HCT. The Humanitarian Coordinator has overall responsibility for civil-military coordination in Iraq, however the responsibility is delegated to the CMCoord Unit on operational and day to day interactions.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS. 

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Functional Responsibilities

Reporting to the CMCoord team leader  the incumbent will be responsible for the following functions:

Operational:

• Under the supervision of the UN-CMCoord Team Leader, serves as an operational focal point for humanitarian civil-military coordination and access-related matters;
• Conducts assessments and supports the analysis of the civil-military environment in order to support the CMCoord Team Leader in formulating, implementing and revising the CMCoord strategy and action plan as appropriate;
• Acts a point of contact for armed actors on civil-military liaision.  
• Supports the humanitarian coordination structure in the AOR by advising on an appropriate mechanism to interface with military representatives;
• Supports the negotiation of humanitarian access with relevant actors to support humanitarian response in areas of identified humanitarian need;
• Participates in working groups, meetings and consultations with other UN agencies and humanitarian partners; organizes meetings with Heads of Agencies on UN-CMCoord and access matters;
• Support the CMCoord Team Leader to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of communication with the military forces in the AOR and establish mechanisms to resolve operational issues and ensure appropriate mutual exchange of information regarding ongoing relevant activities;
• Advise and educate the military and/or police forces in the AOR on the structures and dynamics of coordination with and within the international humanitarian community and the practicalities of implementation;
• Monitors, analyses and reports on implementation of humanitarian civil-military coordination activities as well as identifies difficulties and challenges in the interaction between the humanitarian and military communities;
• Undertake missions to areas of key humanitarian concern to address civil-military coordination and access issues 
• Supports Facilitation of the Civil-Military and Access Working Group CMAG with relevant stakeholders to raise civil-military coordination operational issues and report policy and strategic issues to the HCT through the CMCoord Team Leader;

Policy and Guidance:

• Promotes and advocates for adherence to the applicable Civil-Military Guidelines within the entire humanitarian community and advises on potential consequences if the guidelines are compromised;
• Assists, advises and facilitates the implementation (and revision where necessary) of country-specific guidance on civil-military relations and use of Military and Civil Defence Assets (MCDA), based on global guidelines;

Reporting

• Reports on operational issues requiring high level response   through the CMCoord team leader.
• Provides periodic situation reports on ongoing civil-military activities and the overall civil-military relations situation in the AOR

Preparedness:

• Participates in humanitarian contingency planning to identify any possible friction with military/non-state actors and to consider any inclusion of MCDA deployment

Training:

• Identifies UN-CMCoord training needs of both humanitarian actors and military forces in the AOR and recommends/designs a training strategy and materials to support identified requirements. Arranges and conducts training events as required and agreed by the CMCoord Team Leader.
• Assists the CMCoord team leader in the identification of potential candidates for inclusion in the CMCoord Training Programme.

Performs other duties as may be requested by the UN-CMCoord Team Leader

Education

Advanced university degree (Master degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations or related fields. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and 4 years experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.                                                          

Experience

A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian or military affairs. Experience in a crisis/emergency relief and response setting is required. 

The candidate should have excellent research and analytic abilities with the ability to analyse information quickly and express complex issues to diverse audiences in a clear manner. Experience in negotiating with a diversity of actors is highly desirable.

Ability and demonstrated experience in working within a quick-changing environment, and evolving to changes on the ground is essential.

Arabic language skills highly desirable. 

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Functional Responsibilities

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of a range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues, including approaches and techniques to address difficult problems. Analytical capacity and in particular the ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of issues which require a coordinated UN response.  Ability to identify issues and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of problems. Ability to conduct research, including ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources and assess impact on the humanitarian rights situation in assigned country/area. Ability to work under  pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural disasters and human misery); ability to provide guidance to new/junior staff.   Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.

COMMUNICATION: 
Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

TEAMWORK:  Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

PLANNING & ORGANIZING: 

Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Languages

Fluency in English is required.  Arabic language is highly desired.

Certifications

     OCHA CMCoord Training (online) and OCHA CMCoord Officer Training is desired. 

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: TA
Contract level:NOB 
Contract duration: Until 31 March 2018


For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

Additional Considerations

• 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.