Coordinator for the Access Support Unit (ASU)

Under the overall guidance of Deputy Special Coordinator (DSC)/Resident Coordinator (RC)/Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and direct supervision of the Chief of Coordination unit and Head of RCO (UNSCO) and the Head of CMCoord and Access (OCHA), the ASU Coordinator will be responsible for the operational aspects of the ASU.

The core ASU Coordinator tasks include supervision of the operations related to the ASU as follows: 

• Monitor movements of people and access of goods and engage with existing coordination mechanisms to support and facilitate that access and movement. 

• Supervise the operations related to the ASU in OPT. 

• Supervise and manage the staff of the ASU and their tasks in order to effectively meet the goals of the ASU.

• Engage with partners, in close coordination with UNSCO and OCHA as well as UN and INGOs, to ensure complementarity of efforts.

• Liaison with the Israeli Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli Coordination and Liaison Administration to the Gaza Strip (CLA), the Palestinian Prime Minister’s Office, the Palestinian Ministry of Civil Affairs (MoCA), de facto authorities and other stakeholders, as relevant and appropriate, on the facilitation of access of goods and movement of people. 

• Oversee operation of  a 24/7 access hotline to conduct real-time interventions with relevant authorities to resolve access and movement impediments and incidents. 

• Support the transition of the current humanitarian notification system to the OCHA Humanitarian Notification System.

• Provide information (advisories) and support on the movement of personnel (website, emails, and ACU Live mobile app).

• Advise humanitarian and development partners on procedures for obtaining visas and permits.

• Provide direct support to the UN, international and Palestinian NGOs, as well as diplomatic missions, to obtain visas, permits, and special coordination.

• Support OCHA CMCoord negotiations to improve movements of humanitarian and development partners, including in response to new or ongoing measures that restrict access.

• Facilitate evacuation of dual nationals from Gaza during escalations.

• In consultation with OCHA CMCoord team, advise the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) on common positions with regard to movements of people and access of goods (UNCT, SMT, HCT, OMT, AIDA, Security Cell, and donor meetings). 

• Work with OCHA and Senior CMCORD Advisor to analyze the impact of movement and access restrictions and advise the DSC/RC/HC on appropriate bilateral advocacy.

• Advise the DSC/RC/HC, through OCHA, on the movement of national staff between East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank.

• Provide access information and analysis for reporting, internal working documents, policy papers, advocacy documents, and talking points, reporting to ASU board members and donors.

• Collaborate with the OCHA CMCoord team to provide updates on access trends and developments.

• Advise the DSC/RC/HC, UNSCO, OCHA, and member states on actions and points of advocacy for access of goods and movement of people. 

• Preparation of regular progress reporting for the Project Board and other relevant structures.

• Oversees the coordination, entry and monitoring of fuel and other essential humanitarian items, as appropriate. 

• Monitors and analyses trends and practices related to “dual use” materials, goods and equipment across all access mechanisms and advises the DSC/RC/HC, UNSCO and OCHA on possible approaches to easing restrictions on such items, in the context of humanitarian operations as well as in the recovery and reconstruction phase.  

• Under the guidance of UNOPS Head of Programme, ensure proper planning of ASU activities, delivery and performance monitoring, timely reporting, production of knowledge management tools, team management and performance reviews. 

• Identification of bottlenecks to implementation of the project which require

intervention and propose solutions.

The above responsibilities are subject to change depending on evolution of the situation and access picture on the ground

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) preferably in political/social science or international relations, Project Management, Business Administration, Political/Security/Development Studies, Public Administration, Anthropology, Law, Economics or other relevant discipline.

• 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.  

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in team management, preferably in a humanitarian/development and security context. 

• Five years in dealing with access issues (goods and people), preferably in the UN environment similar to Israel and the oPt is an added advantage. 

• Prior experience in access negotiations or civil military coordination that involves different parties in a similar context is required. 

• Excellent skills in project management, results monitoring as well as stakeholders and team management, preferably in a humanitarian/development context with  extensive security considerations is required. 

• Demonstrated experience and exposure in the international arena dealing with security-related issues is an added value. 

• Demonstrated knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations is desirable

• Capacity of resources mobilization and financial management  is desirable

Other Skills:

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

• Fluency in spoken and written English. 
• Working knowledge of Arabic or Hebrew is an asset.