UNOPS

The UNOPS Middle East Region (MR) provides strategic leadership, performance oversight, and support to UNOPS operations across Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the State of Palestine. MR is responsible for positioning UNOPS as a key development partner in the region through high-level engagement with regional bodies, UN coordination mechanisms, development banks, donors, and intergovernmental organisations. By fostering strategic partnerships and promoting operational excellence, the region supports country teams in delivering sustainable solutions to complex development, peace, and humanitarian challenges

UNOPS supports both humanitarian response and early recovery in Gaza. Currently, UNOPS support in Gaza focuses on key humanitarian enablers, including on access, via the Security Council-mandated UN 2720 Mechanism and the Access Support Unit (ASU), humanitarian fuel and energy, and mine action. Operations are envisaged to continue in the coming period with a focus in line with the UNOPS mandate: (i) infrastructure construction and rehabilitation, (ii) procurement and (iii) project management.

The ASU - Access Lead in Gaza  will work closely with the ASU team and report directly to the ASU Coordinator - Head of ASU. S/he will support the operational management and oversight of the Rafah Returnee movement with the support of the ASU team in Gaza and Jerusalem. The Access Lead will also engage with military and security actors involved in the movement corridor and facilitate communication between humanitarian actors and relevant authorities to ensure secure humanitarian access. Access Lead/Rafah Coordinator will work with OCHA, DSS, EUBAM and the DHC in the reporting and communication of the response - ensuring concrete interagency representation of Rafah returnee Movement and lead on ASU access related work in Gaza.

To support the access work for Gaza and at Rafah in line with ASU mandate and responsibility. To manage and coordinate the Rafah Returnee Support Mechanism to ensure safe, dignified, and efficient movement of individuals through Rafah Crossing in line with humanitarian principles. To represent ASU in Gaza level activities. 

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) prefereably in political science, international relations, humanitarian affairs, security management, project management, or other related fields.

Desired:

• A relevant Bachelor’s degree preferably in a related discipline, combined with relevant professional training and at least 2 additional years of relevant work experience, may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

• Advanced academic specialization (postgraduate or Master’s-level studies) in humanitarian affairs, international relations, security studies, project management, or a closely related field.

• Professional certifications or structured training in areas such as project management (e.g., Prince 2 or equivalent), humanitarian coordination, security risk management, or access and liaison operations.

Required

• At least 6 years of relevant experience in humanitarian coordination, access coordination and management, field operations, or emergency response.

• 1 Year of Experience in team leadership and management is required.

• Previous experience working in conflict or high-risk operational environments.

• Experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders, including UN agencies, authorities, and humanitarian organizations.

Desired

• Experience in movement coordination or civil-military liaison.

• Experience in the UN Common System or other comparable international organizations.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.