Humanitarian Access Liaison Officer (OCHA Humanitarian Access Unit), UNOPS, Erbil, Iraq

Despite increased security risks international and national organizations continue to deliver assistance to people in areas directly affected by the conflict, although this is generally not enough to meet even the most basic needs of those civilians. Both direct and remote delivery and monitoring modalities are used, through networks which were established prior to the resumption of the conflict in early 2014. Any available opportunity is seized for cross-line operations however a more systematic approach is required to maximize the possibilities for negotiation and delivery without compromising the basic humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality as well as safety and security of staff, beneficiaries and operations. The collection of information about mechanisms and available networks for interaction and negotiation for access with all parties to the conflict, of access-related incidents is also crucial to widen humanitarian space, as it is the interaction with actors engaged in areas controlled by armed groups (AG) in the region to draw lessons and ensure principled humanitarian action in Iraq.

Access constraints impact not only on humanitarian access to affected populations but also on the access of people in need to basic services and relief assistance.

The establishment of the Humanitarian Access Unit (HAU) aims to improve and facilitate humanitarian access to conflict-affected populations across Iraq.  HAU, which will be managed by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) – Iraq OCHA, with operational support from UNOPS, in support to the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT).

The objective of the Humanitarian Access Unit (HAU) is to increase principled humanitarian access for delivery of assistance and monitoring, and expand humanitarian space by improving contact networks for negotiation on access for cross–line and cross border assistance in areas controlled by armed groups (AG) or ‘newly liberated’ areas and for vulnerable populations in Iraq to humanitarian assistance and basic services.

Within the terms of the project the HAU is intended to improve and facilitate access to conflict-affected populations across Iraq by:

• Strengthening /developing a network of credible contacts (directly by the unit or via existing interaction and contacts by other ‘established’ interlocutors) to facilitate access of assistance to vulnerable communities and of affected persons to humanitarian aid;
• Enhancing security and strengthening civil-military coordination initiatives, including through de-confliction mechanisms;
• Drawing on experiences, approaches in negotiation and lessons learned on gaining and retaining access from other countries where AGs are active (Syria, DRC, Somalia, oPT, etc);
• Establishing a systematic monitoring and reporting mechanism on humanitarian access to promote  fact-based advocacy at all levels (local, national, regional, HQ);
• Initiating leverage that will facilitate operations based on humanitarian principles and on needs;
• Establishing modalities for de-confliction / safe passage with both coalition and Iraqi armed forces.

The HAU Civil Military Liaison Officer will work closely with the Humanitarian Access officers and with the OCHA Civil-Military Coordination Officer, interacting in particular with armed actors at local, national and international levels

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

The Humanitarian Access Liaison Officer will report to the Humanitarian Access Coordinator (HAC) and will be responsible for the following functions:

• Support the HAC on day-to-day operations related to humanitarian access – identification of interlocutors, negotiations for operational access and compiled
• Compile a database that UN and partners can use to determine humanitarian access modalities;
• Assist UN Agencies and NGOs in obtaining passage to hard-to-reach areas and timely coordination from relevant authorities needed for unfetted movement / access;
• Provide and coordinate information on a case by case basis for areas where there is acute need for assistance;
• Follow up on the humanitarian access incidents (information gathering, liaison, reporting, etc) and update OCHA access database;
• Support HAC liaison functions with the authorities and other entities when UN and NGO staff face humanitarian access issues- whether cross line or cross border;
• Develop training materials and methodologies that will assist UN and partners in humanitarian access issues;
• Provide training and advice to UN, NGOs for access of personnel and goods;
• Perform other related duties as required.

More information and application details can be found here.

Source: UNOPS

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This article is culled from daily press coverage from around the world. It is posted on the Urban Gateway by way of keeping all users informed about matters of interest. The opinion expressed in this article is that of the author and in no way reflects the opinion of UN-Habitat