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UNFPA-GBV IM Specialist-P2/P3-Jerusalem (possible missions to Gaza)
Jerusalem, PalestinePosition Title: GBV Information Management Specialist
Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P2/P3
Location: Jerusalem (with possible missions to Gaza), Palestine (remote/Cairo start possible)
Duration: 3 months (possible extension)
Language: Proficiency in English required. Arabic language skills would be an asset.
The security situation in Jerusalem and the West Bank continues to be tightly linked to the humanitarian and security situation in Gaza. The higher the level of security unpredictability in Gaza, the more likely security incidents will occur in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Direct and indirect security threats affecting UN personnel, assets (including premises), and programmes persist in Jerusalem and the West Bank as per the below threat categories:
Armed Conflict: While the epicenter of the current military operations continues to be Gaza, rockets targeting Jerusalem have been intercepted. Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces in Jerusalem and the West Bank continue to be reported. UN personnel, assets (including premises), and programmes are not directly targeted. However, collateral damage cannot be ruled out.
Civil Unrest: Outbreaks of rioting and demonstrations occur in Jerusalem, usually concerning internal issues such as security and military operations. In the West Bank, civil unrest incidents are primarily organized in retaliation to armed escalations, search-and-arrest operations, or denounce military escalation in Gaza. These incidents do not directly impact UN personnel. However, civil unrest incidents planned to be peaceful can turn violent with little to no prior notice.
Terrorism: While several terrorist-affiliated groups operate in the duty station, the UN has not been directly affected by terror-related activities.
Crime: Opportunistic crime in the form of armed robbery, vandalism, and verbal assaults occur in Jerusalem and the West Bank. UN personnel and assets have been targeted by crime-related incidents in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Role Description: Under the Direction of the UNFPA Palestine Representative and direct supervision of the GBV Sub-Cluster Coordinator, this position is responsible for maintaining, strengthening, leading and managing the GBV Sub-Cluster Information Management function. The GBV Sub-Cluster is an “area of responsibility” under the Global Protection Cluster and the mechanism through which gender-based violence in emergencies is coordinated within the inter-agency humanitarian system. The GBV Sub-Cluster Coordinator’s objective is to ensure more predictable, accountable and effective GBV prevention and response in emergencies. Most clusters have recognized having an information management capacity as part of cluster coordination as good practice. In Palestine, UNFPA has responsibility for leading the GBV Sub-Cluster under the Protection Cluster which is led by OHCHR. The incumbent will represent UNFPA in an inter-agency capacity to support information management within pre-existing GBV coordination bodies in order to promote the highest standards of GBV prevention and response, in line with global guidance. The incumbent will also provide support to other UNFPA information management needs, particularly related to sexual and reproductive health, as they arise. This will involve coordination with the SRH Team as well as coordination with partners and the Health Cluster. This role will be supported as required by the Regional IM Specialist, ASRO, based in Cairo.
Improved information management is necessary to feed into elaboration of programming strategies, humanitarian funding processes, mainstreaming GBV into other sectors, engaging in advocacy and preparing situation reports (“sitreps”). Information management is therefore an integral part of a coordinated approach to GBV. Please
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Data Collection and Management
Programme Support
Knowledge Sharing and Communications
Qualifications and Skills Required:
Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P2/P3
Location: Jerusalem (with possible missions to Gaza), Palestine (remote/Cairo start possible)
Duration: 3 months (possible extension)
Language: Proficiency in English required. Arabic language skills would be an asset.
Background Description of Emergency / Justification for Request
At 06:30 on the morning of 7 October 2023, Hamas launched “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” with more than 5,000 rockets reportedly fired towards Israel from multiple locations in Gaza, as well as ground operations into Israel. In response to this attack, Israeli authorities declared that the country is in a state of war and called up military reservists. At 12:00 noon, the Israeli Forces launched operation ‘Iron Sword’ with strikes on the Gaza strip by air, land and sea. Exchanges of fire in the towns and communities in Israel surrounding Gaza continued for the second consecutive day following the infiltration of members of Palestinian armed groups into Israel. Palestinian armed groups in Gaza continued rocket fire into Israel. Simultaneously, Israel continued air, naval and land strikes throughout the night and morning. While tensions between Israel and Palestinian militants have been increasing over the past few years, this military escalation marks a significant departure from previous conflicts.
- In the evening of 7 October, Israeli authorities ceased supplying electricity to the Gaza strip, reducing the hours of electricity to 3-4 per day. The Gaza Power Plant is currently the only source of power and could run out of fuel within days. This has devastating consequences on the functioning of health facilities which need to rely on generator fuel which is expected to run out within a few days. The Israeli authorities have continued to impose multiple movement restrictions, including the closure of several checkpoints and entrances to towns and cities in the West Bank.
- Declaration of a complete siege in Gaza and closure of all crossings creates severe shortages of electricity, food, water, and fuel. Drugs, medical supplies and fuel are only expected to last a few days. Gaza’s 13 hospitals and health facilities are only partially functioning. Prior to the escalation there were stockouts of 48% of essential medical supplies in Gaza, including 20 items crucial for maternity and pediatric services. WHO has documented 37 health attacks since 7 October resulting in casualties among healthcare workers and damage to 13 healthcare facilities and at least 15 ambulances. This further impedes access to life-saving SRH services including emergency obstetric and newborn care. Strict closures in the West Bank and potential settler attacks have disrupted service delivery at mobile clinics and health facilities and significantly limited population movement and access to services.
- WHO has documented 62 attacks on health care affecting 29 health care facilities (including 19 hospitals damaged) and 23 ambulances. Seven hospitals, including four in northern Gaza (Beit Hanoun, Hamad Rehabilitation, Al Karama, and Ad Dura) either sustained damage or had to be evacuated and are no longer operational.
- As of 22 October, 2023 Mass internal displacement including following the Israeli evacuation order of 13 October 2023 has reached about 1.4 million internally displaced people (IDPs), with nearly 580,000 sheltering in 150 UNRWA-designated emergency shelters (DES).As of 22 October, the Palestinian MOH reported 4,651 deaths and 14,245 injured in Gaza and 91 deaths and 1,734 injured in the West Bank.
- Critical concerns for UNFPA programme beneficiaries include
- Shortage of drugs and medical disposables; 48% of items reported as out-of-stock, including 20 items for maternity and pediatric services
- Continued attacks against Gaza; Declaration of a siege against Gaza with all crossing closed and no electricity, food, water, fuel into Gaza and supplies estimated to last up to Sunday at best.
- West Bank, strict closures and potential settler attacks have disrupted functioning of mobile clinics and health facilities. Urgent measures needed to improve access to primary healthcare services, including integrated SRH care and GBV services through mobile clinics to address health needs of most vulnerable populations in Area C.
- Opening of the borders to Gaza for access to humanitarian assistance.
- Staffing remains a critical concern including potential evacuation.
- One of the key objectives will be to ensure the continuity of essential sexual and reproductive health services, including safe delivery, pregnancy care, and family planning. Key protection priorities include providing psychosocial support (PSS) for affected families, dignity kits for women and men, cash assistance for the host community and protection cases, as well as emergency referral pathways for GBV. These priorities need to be translated within the context of medical logistics to ensure adequate needs assessments and supply chain management to get urgently needed supplies into Gaza and West Bank to respond to the needs.
- An additional objective is to ensure that information on the needs of women and girls impacted by the crisis is captured and utilized to inform robust coordination and targeted programming by the UN and their partners.
- The OPT Flash Appeal was initiated on October 12, 2023, and seeks to secure US$294 million to address the most pressing requirements of 1,260,000 individuals in Gaza and the occupied West Bank over a three-month period. Within the framework of this inter-agency flash appeal, UNFPA’s financial requirements amount to US$6.9 million as follows: Sexual and Reproductive Health US$3.6 million Gender-Based Violence US$3.3 million
The security situation in Jerusalem and the West Bank continues to be tightly linked to the humanitarian and security situation in Gaza. The higher the level of security unpredictability in Gaza, the more likely security incidents will occur in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Direct and indirect security threats affecting UN personnel, assets (including premises), and programmes persist in Jerusalem and the West Bank as per the below threat categories:
Armed Conflict: While the epicenter of the current military operations continues to be Gaza, rockets targeting Jerusalem have been intercepted. Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces in Jerusalem and the West Bank continue to be reported. UN personnel, assets (including premises), and programmes are not directly targeted. However, collateral damage cannot be ruled out.
Civil Unrest: Outbreaks of rioting and demonstrations occur in Jerusalem, usually concerning internal issues such as security and military operations. In the West Bank, civil unrest incidents are primarily organized in retaliation to armed escalations, search-and-arrest operations, or denounce military escalation in Gaza. These incidents do not directly impact UN personnel. However, civil unrest incidents planned to be peaceful can turn violent with little to no prior notice.
Terrorism: While several terrorist-affiliated groups operate in the duty station, the UN has not been directly affected by terror-related activities.
Crime: Opportunistic crime in the form of armed robbery, vandalism, and verbal assaults occur in Jerusalem and the West Bank. UN personnel and assets have been targeted by crime-related incidents in Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Improved information management is necessary to feed into elaboration of programming strategies, humanitarian funding processes, mainstreaming GBV into other sectors, engaging in advocacy and preparing situation reports (“sitreps”). Information management is therefore an integral part of a coordinated approach to GBV. Please
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Data Collection and Management
- In line with WHO’s Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Researching, Documenting and Monitoring Sexual Violence in Emergencies:
- Engage in robust analyses of secondary data to ensure readily available information on known trends and patterns on GBV for inclusion at relevant points along the Humanitarian Programme Cycle, including the MIRA.
- Consolidate existing assessments on the GBV situation and/or work with relevant agencies, the displaced and host populations to conduct relevant participatory analyses of GBV.
- Undertake new assessment missions as necessary/appropriate to determine the magnitude and scope of GBV and identify strategic inter-sectoral approaches for addressing it.
- In collaboration with national and international GBV actors, map current institutional response capacities, including facilitating mapping of GBV-specific 3Ws.
- Work with the GBV coordination groups to adopt a standardized GBV incident report/intake form and other relevant forms as necessary. Train partner organizations and other sectors in the use of this form with particular emphasis to the Guiding Principles for Working with GBV Survivors and in line with the GBV Information Management System (GBVIMS).
- If necessary, develop monthly report formats that capture relevant information that support the analysis and evaluation of program progress and outcomes.
- Document best practices and approaches for responding to issues of GBV in order to deepen the knowledge base among relevant partners.
- Prepare regular analytical reports on emerging issues.
Programme Support
- Provide accurate, complete and up-to-date information for effective budget preparation, programme and project design, implementation, management and evaluation purposes.
- Ensure project efficiency and effectiveness is enhanced through effective implementation follow-up, with implementing partners.
- Ensure that progress reports and project work plans are prepared in a timely manner, and that effective technical assistance is provided, particularly when sharing the relevant information with concerned partners.
Knowledge Sharing and Communications
- Ensure appropriate knowledge sharing with donors, media and with all strategic partners is effectively promoted.
- Ensure gender and sex aggregated data and inputs relevant to the GBV Sub-Cluster are provided.
- Ensure effective communication and networking through partnership and collaboration; as well as help strengthen coordination amongst GBV partners.
Qualifications and Skills Required:
- Advanced technical degree in social sciences, (e.g. in public health, humanitarian affairs, political science, development studies, demography or a related field) or the equivalent combination of education and experience in a related area.
- Professional experience in IM for the humanitarian sector, including secondary data reviews, 3/4/5W reporting, gap analysis, etc.
- Familiarity with Excel, desktop publishing software, and basic website management.
- Professional experience with GBV or any other aspect of protection in emergencies, including demonstrated understanding of monitoring and evaluation (M&E). Experience with health information would also be helpful.
- Demonstrated understanding of the survivor-centered approach to GBV programming, particularly in the context of information management (i.e. GBVIMS training).
- Knowledge of the Cluster Approach and the Transformative Agenda systems and procedures.
- Knowledge of humanitarian architecture.
- Ability to synthesize large amounts of information into concise, effective resources for decision-making and advocacy purposes.
- Strong interest and motivation for inter-agency coordination.
- Flexibility, diplomacy, leadership, cultural sensitivity and the ability to work well both alone and in teams.
- Proficiency in English required. Arabic language skills would be an asset.
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.