ASU Local Access and Liaison Officer

In 2023, following an independent review of the Access portfolio, commissioned by UNSCO, the consolidated Access Support Unit (ASU) project, combining both access of people (formerly Access Coordination Unit (ACU) and goods and materials (formerly the Project Management Unit implementing the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism agreement), was formed as a single entity to fulfil the mission initially assigned to the ACU in 2014, namely to “ameliorate the delivery of humanitarian and development assistance and advance the protection of civilians, by developing a centralized, pro-active, and sustainable access strategy for the movement of humanitarian and development personnel and goods, while providing hands-on advice and support to access challenges in the field.”

UNOPS serves as the Administrative Agent for this project whilst UNOCHA and UNSCO serve respectively as programmatic managers and supervisors of this project. The ASU currently has one local Access and Liaison Officer (LALO) for the Access Coordination Unit project serving in Gaza. UNOPS intends to recruit a second Local Access and Liaison Officer (Gaza) to provide comprehensive cover at all times.

Reporting directly to the Deputy Coordinator (People), the Access and Liaison Officer (LALO) will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following functions and responsibilities: 

Providing technical support to ACU beneficiaries:

• Support UN agencies, INGOs and diplomatic missions in obtaining coordination/permits with the relevant authorities, including focal-point for the coordination of diplomatic mission personnel to enter Gaza.

• Support response to access incidents at all Gaza crossings and checkpoints.

• Follow up on access incidents involving the UN, INGO and Diplomatic staff and goods upon advice of the Deputy Coordinator (People) and serve as a focal-point for incidents at Gaza crossings.

• Respond to and ensure logging of access incidents received while mending the ASU 24/7 hotline.

• Provide training to UN/INGO staff on access issues and humanitarian negotiations;

• Assist in negotiations with relevant interlocutors for the movement of UN, INGO and diplomatic mission personnel in coordination with the Deputy Coordinator (People). 

Support to access coordination mechanism:

• Assist in convening the Access Working Group Gaza, and in identifying priorities and addressing issues raised.

• Provide access briefings to UN/INGOs, including in UNDSS SSAFE training

• Represent ASU in AIDA and other coordination meetings with international/national NGOs in Gaza

• As requested by the Deputy Coordinator (People) and in his/her absence or that of the Deputy Coordinator (Goods), represent ASU in Gaza forums such as UNGT and ASMT. 

Support ASU liaison with local authorities 

• In coordination and agreement with the Deputy Coordinator (People), develop and maintain relationships with local authorities in Gaza to better respond to access restrictions; including assisting Deputy Coordinator (People) in developing appropriate liaison mechanism(s) for UN and INGOs. 

• Provide insights to the Deputy Coordinator (People) for the purpose of further strengthening ASU's communication with local authorities.

Provide information, analysis and reporting:

• Regular participation in UN and (I)NGO forums, conferences and workshops in Gaza. 

• In the face of increasing requests for quick up-to-date data, ensure timely compilation of data onto the online system.

• Expand and administer the data collection base related to access and movement, including from other sources.

Emergency Response

• Assist in the evacuation of dual nationals during an emergency.

• Assist in the negotiation, coordination, and support for the entry and exit of emergency equipment and staff, before, during and after an emergency.

Office and other Support

• Gaza office procurement, vehicle management, and follow up on billing and other related financial tasks. 

• Provide administrative support for the missions of ASU Jerusalem in Gaza.

• Provide interpretation and translation, including for Deputy Coordinator (People) or the ASU Coordinators meetings with local authorities.

• Work closely with the other Local Access and Liaison Officer in Gaza to coordinate work and ensure an equal distribution of tasks.

• Coordinate Annual Leave with the other LALO to ensure continued coverage in Gaza.

• Cover the role of the other LALO when he/she is absent. 

• Any other access and administrative duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Successful and timely completion of the tasks outlined in the previous paragraph. 

• A first-level university degree is required, preferably in Political or Social Science, International Relations, or other relevant discipline.  A Master’s degree is preferred. 

b. Work Experience 

•  4 years (or less depending on education credentials) of proven experience working in complex security and emergency situations and exposure to humanitarian access requirements. 

• Holding a national Palestinian driving license is required.

• Negotiation experience is required, preferably on humanitarian access;

• Computer skills including Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and the Internet are essential.

• Previous experience working for the United Nations or International Organization is desirable;

• Relevant work experience gained while serving in the development and humanitarian fields is a distinct advantage. 

1. Other Skills:

• Ability to build constructive relationships;

• Proven administrative skills are highly desired; 

• Demonstrated willingness and competence to travel to the field whenever necessary; 

• Knowledge of security management and/or crisis management are desirable skills;

• Data maintenance and reporting skills highly desired.

c. Languages

• Fluency in both written and verbal English and Arabic is required. 

• Intermediate written and verbal Hebrew skills are desirable.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.