Professional

Associate Inter-Agency Coordination Officer

Grade NO-B
San Salvador, El Salvador
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Formality Risk: Low
  • Short Posting Period (4d): Only 4 days between posting and deadline. UN vacancies typically allow 2–4 weeks. Very short windows can indicate the hiring decision is already made.

Terms of Reference

The ideal candidate for the Inter‑Agency Coordination Officer role is a development or humanitarian professional with at least three years of relevant experience supporting programme implementation and coordination, preferably in inter‑agency or multi‑stakeholder contexts. The candidate brings strong knowledge of the UN system, civil society organizations, and government structures, with a solid understanding of planning and coordination mechanisms. They have demonstrated experience contributing to joint action plans, joint assessments, and collaborative planning processes, as well as coordinating inter‑agency initiatives and supporting joint resource mobilization efforts. Familiarity with area‑based approaches is essential. The ideal candidate is confident in facilitating meetings, workshops, and trainings, and is comfortable delivering presentations and speaking in public to both technical and non‑technical audiences. Prior experience working within inter‑agency response frameworks, alongside UN agencies, NGOs, and government counterparts, is highly desirable. Strong organizational, communication, and MS Office skills complement their ability to work effectively in complex, collaborative environments.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Applications are open to internal staff, former employees, and external candidates:

-- The position is offered under a UNOPS contract for a period of 6 months, with no extensions

- Only Salvadorian or candidates holding a permanent residency in El Salvador will be considered eligible. Candidates must attach proof of permanent residency in El Salvador at the time of application.

- Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

- Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might/could include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

- UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees).

- Remuneration: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For more information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations. UNHCR also offers comprehensive medical insurance and pension plans.

Standard Job Description

Associate Inter-Agency Coordination Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Associate Inter-Agency Coordination Officer is usually located in Country Operations, Multi-Country Offices, Regional Bureaux, and Regional Refugee Coordinator's Office or in the Public Partnerships and Resource Mobilization Service in Headquarters. S/he plays a crucial support role in ensuring UNHCR's approach to partnership and inter-agency processes are coherent. The main aim is to assist senior management, as well as partner agencies, to ensure that UNHCR can fulfil its role to support the Government to lead the refugee response, coordinate other actors - including development actors at the early stages of a refugee response - and support the adherence to UNHCR inter agency commitments in IDP situations. This should be done in line with UNHCRs Mandate, the Global Compact for Refugees, the 2019 IDP policy, and agreed inter-agency commitments.

The Associate Inter-Agency Coordination Officer ensures that support is provided for strategic planning, assessment, monitoring and analysis, of any joint assessments or interagency plans at the field level. The incumbent will have direct contact with other staff members in the inter-agency structure from UN agencies, international and non-governmental organizations, and the government. The post requires the ability to prioritize tasks and to organise work independently based on direction from the supervisor. The incumbent will put particular emphasis on multi-sectorial information, coverage of information sources (UN and non-UN) and contributions to programs and projects, and interagency processes and products. The incumbent will be tasked with setting up and supporting different inter agency meetings, ensuring UNHCR's coordination role where applicable and UNHCR input where necessary. S/he will also be tasked with ensuring note taking and information sharing across a number of actors. The incumbent may also be tasked with the collection, presentation and dissemination of agreed inter agency data and information, including that coming from various stakeholders outside of UNHCR.

S/he will also support the Inter-Agency Coordinator in maintaining a constant dialogue with donors on the overall funding/resource status of the humanitarian programs in close collaboration with all partner agencies (UN and NGOs). A key tool in this regard will be the facilitation and support of periodic Inter-Agency meetings, sector or cluster specific meetings, as well as to support the broadening of relevant inter-agency information through meeting reports, situation updates and newsletters.


All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.


Duties
- Provide support to inter agency processes, including for coordination in refugee settings and cluster coordination in IDP settings
- Include partners in any UNHCR led interagency response, respecting their respective mandates and programme priorities.
- Provide appropriate support for operational planning and forward looking coordination of the inter-agency humanitarian and development response.
- Support the planning of adequate contingency and preparedness for new emergencies / scenarios is in place.
- Close follow up on the strategic, operational, and day to day basic assistance sector/ cluster issues.
- Coordinate the basic assistance Sector by chairing regular working groups meetings, ensuring all agencies in the sector are adequately represented, liaise closely with a wide range of donors and governmental institutions, etc.
- Provide close guidance and support to basic assistance working groups at field level.
- Provide analysis on key humanitarian / development issues and trends in close collaboration with the information management team.
- Conduct regular programmatic and funding gaps analysis.
- Support the development of harmonized assessment, monitoring and evaluation activities in line with the agreed inter agency response
- Draft correspondence, documents and reports, guidance notes, background information for meetings and workshops.
- Conduct regular field visits to support and build the capacity of field working groups as well as ensuring field perspectives underpin the sector strategy.
- Develop a harmonized referral system for the sector in conjunction with the information management team.
- Liaise with external partners and local organizations on behalf of different sectors, the Interagency Coordination Unit, and UNHCR.
- Lead, facilitate, and organize dedicated Sector Working Group meetings and technical task forces.
- Prioritize tasks and organize work independently.
- Engage with all sectors and identify IA Coordination activities.
- Make recommendations on IA Coordination issues.
- Work closely with government counterparts on issues related to the basic assistance.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Social Sciences;
Development Studies;
Economics;
International Relations;
Political Affairs;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in humanitarian or development programme implementation, including experience in facilitating inter-agency coordination at sector or macro-level. Good knowledge of the UN system, NGOs and related planning and coordination practises. Knowledge of MS Office applications. Knowledge of refugee protection principles and framework. Presentation delivery and/or public speaking experience.


Desirable
Demonstrated expertise in emergency response and preparedness planning and monitoring, including a good understanding of related standards and indicators. Demonstrated expertise in either assessments, monitoring and evaluation, research for programmes, and policy / context analysis. Experience in coordinating and implementing cash based interventions, including harmonization of practices and operating procedures. Experience in leading and facilitating meetings, delivering presentations, and conducting trainings for technical and non-technical audience. Work experience in the interagency response.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
ER-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination
ER-Inter-Agency Resource Mobilisation
ER-Inter-Agency External Relations
CO-Public Speaking
DM-Data Collection and Analysis
CB-Cash-based Programming/Managing/Planning
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.


All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.


This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CB-Cash-based Programming/Managing/Planning, CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Public Speaking, DM-Data Collection and Analysis, ER-Inter-Agency External Relations, ER-Inter-Agency Leadership/Coordination, ER-Inter-Agency Resource Mobilisation, IT-Computer Literacy, PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Development Studies, Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Political Affairs, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

UNHCR

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Official website All UNHCR jobs

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