National Humanitarian Affairs Officer, Access (Temporary Appointment ) - Level NOA - East Jerusalem

 

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate for the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention; and facilitate sustainable solutions.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has responsibility for inter-agency coordination in complex emergencies and natural disasters. In the context of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, the OCHA Office has specific responsibility for (a) disseminating information and policies to the humanitarian community, authorities, and donors, as well as supporting resource mobilization efforts; (b) assisting in the identification of humanitarian priorities and needs and the coordination of resource mobilization efforts; and (c) disseminating information on the impact of natural disasters, response there too and the need for international assistance.

This temporary job opening is being advertised for the position of National Humanitarian Affairs Officer, Access in East Jerusalem, occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). Under the overall supervision of the Head of OCHA oPt, the incumbent reports to the Head of Access Unit.

Responsibilities: Within delegated authority, the Humanitarian Affairs Analyst will be responsible for the following duties:

• Advises the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) on access issues faced by humanitarian organizations, analyzes trends, liaises with key stakeholders, and advocates to improve operational space for humanitarian actors.
• Provide guidance in the collection of information on operational constraints and advice on approaches and strategies to address access issues.
• Provides necessary guidance on development and maintenance of the humanitarian notification system; and other access tools and outputs as necessary.
• Facilitates the coordination and management of the Access Working Group, including collecting information from NGOs regarding operational/bureaucratic/administrative incidents across Palestine, analyzing trends, and preparing analytical papers/talking points on the evolution of the humanitarian space in the country.
• Advises in enhancing and maintaining the necessary linkages and working relationships with Access focal points in humanitarian organizations as well as other relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain a network of contacts among key partners and stakeholders, including national and international NGOs, UNDSS, access focal points, the humanitarian community, and OCHA hubs.
• Contribute to the writing of a wide range of written reports, documents, and communications providing up-to-date analysis on trends and developments in the humanitarian situation, e.g. letters, speeches, background papers, briefings, presentations, etc.
• Establish or strengthen partnerships with NGOs (particularly Local NGOs), civil society, and local communities, to strengthen local-level networks and gather information from the field; ensure humanitarian information flow from OCHA to partners and vice versa and help ensure their participation in the operations and coordination mechanisms.
• Facilitates in organizing and participating in field trips to undertake in-depth reviews of specific coverage areas and coordination mechanisms.
• Participate in relevant humanitarian sectoral meetings and other related coordination forums, as required.
• Facilitates advocacy initiatives on humanitarian concerns and issues (access, protection of civilians, funding gaps, specific vulnerabilities).
• Support updating country specific CM Coord guidelines and other related documents as necessary.
• Provide secretariat support to the Humanitarian Access Working Group and the Civil-Military Advisory Group, including organizing meetings (agendas and invitations), preparing documents and presentations, drafting minutes, and following up on agreed action points.
• Perform other duties as required.

Competencies:

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of wide range of humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and related human rights issues. Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, to include ability to analyze and articulate the humanitarian dimension of complex issues that require a coordinated UN response. Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems. Knowledge of region or country of assignment, including the political, economic, and social dimensions. Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement. Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g., civil strife, natural disasters, and human misery). Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to humanitarian affairs and knowledge of the institutions of the UN system. Demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and to formulate conclusions/recommendations. Ability to relate humanitarian affairs issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political, economic, social, and human rights programmes in affected country/region. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

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.

Qualifications:

Education:

• An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Social Science, Law, International Studies, or a related field is required. or A first-level university degree in in the above-mentioned fields of study, in combination with two years of relevant qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job Specific Qualifications

Experience:    

• A minimum of up to two (2) years (with master’s degree) or two (2) years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively professional responsible experience in Humanitarian Affairs (Humanitarian Access, Security, or Protection), or other related areas is required.
• Familiarity and good knowledge of social, political, and economic conditions in the region are required.
• Proven skills in facilitating meetings and reporting are desirable.
• Proven skills and experience in dealing with interactive online dashboards and compilation of humanitarian access analysis are desirable.
• Experience in a humanitarian context within the UN common system or a comparable international organization is desirable.

Language:

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Assessment:

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice This is a Temporary Appointment and is currently available through 31 December 2024, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and availability of fund. The contract will be administered by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on behalf of OCHA. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. This position is a General Service position and will be based in Gaza, oPt. Candidates of the General Service category are required to be authorized to work in the country where this position is located. Appointment against this post is on a local basis. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term "sexual exploitation" means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term "sexual abuse" means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term "sexual harassment" means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator's working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. 

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the OCHA oPt’s website will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (Jerusalem time) on the deadline date.

How to apply:

To start the application process, applicants are required to apply via OCHA oPt’s vacancies website by registering their profile and completing OCHA Personal History Form (P11). Only applications received through https://www.ochaopt.org/vacancies which should include an up-to-date and complete P11 will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for OCHA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 23 April 2024

Applications received after this date will not be considered.

The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.