Programme Specialist

Background

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) derives its mandate from United Nations General Assembly Resolution 33/147 of 20 December 1978. Called upon by United Nations Member States in that year, UNDP was requested “to improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people by identifying their social and economic needs and by establishing concrete projects to that end”.

UNDP’s Palestinian Programmatic Framework (PPF) 2023-2025 sets out a vision of “a world in which all Palestinians can enjoy a dignified life and fulfil their own vision of a unified, peaceful and free society”. The PPF is centered around the concept of “Transformative Resilience” and its three elements: a cohesive Palestinian identity, self-reliance, and ownership and leadership. The plan uses governance as one of its six signature solutions to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality and help to achieve sustainable development goals.

Over the next three years, UNDP/PAPP will build on its experiences and achievements to make critical contributions to the priorities defined by the Palestinian national development plans and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), through interventions in three programmatic priority areas: i) democratic governance and quality services; ii) inclusive economic opportunities; iii) sustainable natural resources management.

Under the democratic governance and quality services portfolio, UNDP/PAPP aims to contribute to and foster progress towards improved democratic governance based on the principles of human rights and rule of law, with equitable access to justice and quality public and basic services. While many UN agencies, CSOs and other actors are engaged in basic services delivery, relatively few are as trusted by partners in the area of democratic governance and have been requested by national counterparts to take a leading role in this area – including in the National Reform agenda.

With a key focus on institutional capacity development, UNDP/PAPP’s interventions in this area address issues of public trust and aim to (re)build confidence in government services, improve government transparency and accountability, enhance public resources management, and strengthen the rule of law and equitable access to justice. Interventions to support national and local inclusive democratic processes (including elections) complement projects that protect civic space and enhance the capacities of a wide array of civil society organizations, Youth engagement in democratic processes and civic activities, including through volunteerism, will be critical to bring about change. Efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability of institutions and processes also serve to improve the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of public and basic services at the national and local levels.

UNDP/PAPP’s programmatic interventions in this area also contribute to improving the quality, inclusivity and accessibility of services for the most vulnerable individuals and communities, through construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of facilities such as schools, hospitals, and public buildings. Specific needs of women/girls and persons with disabilities will be taken into consideration.  Early recovery efforts in the aftermath of hostilities also include the rehabilitation and reconstruction of houses (prioritizing female-headed households and those with people with disabilities), hospitals and schools, with a view of rapidly re-establishing a safe environment for people to be able to resume their lives. 

Therefore, UNDP Gaza-Sub Office is seeking a competent candidate to lead the democratic governance and quality services portfolio leading the teams to design and implement the program initiatives whether implemented by UNDP, national institutions or UN agencies. The incumbent will cooperate with the programme and operation teams in Gaza, West Bank and Jerusalem as deemed necessary to ensure sound harmonized achievements and success of all projects’ activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

The selected incumbent will undertake the following key functions:

1. Provide advice to Government counterparts and facilitation of knowledge building focusing on the achievement of the following results:

• Facilitation of policy dialogue on governance issues with the Government, Parliament, other state bodies, universities/research institutions, lawyers, donors, civil society, private sector; contributions to development of policies as relevant.
• Commissioning research, surveys and other knowledge products to support evidence-based policy dialogue, debates and advocacy.
• Promote initiatives towards democratization and elections supporting inclusive democratic participation through legislative reforms and an improved enabling environment. 
• Addressing gender gap in local government and presidential elections, women representation in political factions and reduce intimidation.
• Supporting the Government institutional development, improving accountability and promoting transparency
• Support access to justice and legal empowerment of the poor, women, youth and disadvantaged/marginalized communities through supporting research, awareness-raising, legal aid, and rights-based education programmes including clinical legal education.
• Support capacity development of civil society to conduct policy research, grassroots consultations and policy advocacy to Government and other stakeholders.
• Effective knowledge sharing on governance by documenting lessons and good practices from UN norms and standards, academic literature, different projects, and developing knowledge-based tools (including policies, strategies, guidelines, etc).
• Capacity building of Government and legislative council officials and other national counterparts through on the job training and regular briefings on relevant new tools and skills related to governance.

2. Lead development of early recovery and reconstruction strategic policies and guidelines with a focus on UNDP’s project or programme-relevant activities:

• Management and oversight of the program providing technical inputs to projects addressing key sectors such as essential related governance, infrastructure, education, health, WASH and housing.
• Utilize assessment results to develop a costed plan for debris management, construction, housing and education rehabilitation, and demolition waste management.
• Identify institutional capacities, policies, and legislation impacting the rubble removal process, including varying regulations for debris disposal, housing rehabilitation and construction.
• Provide technical inputs in developing project documents/proposals adopting portfolio management approach to achieve efficiencies and effectiveness.
• Review the Standard Operating Procedures prepared for each activity and ensure proper adherence to it during the implementation.
• Review the safety plan of the implementation for each site and give guidance to the teams on the ground to lead risk-managed implementation.
• Develop an adequate monitoring and evaluation plan that allows periodic monitoring of the projects’ results, performance, achievements, risks, and challenges.
• Identify any institutional capacities, policies and legislation that may affect the rubble removal process (including different status for disposal of debris).
• Ensure mainstreaming crosscutting issues such as inclusivity, gender equality and preserving environment within the different designed interventions.
• Guide the team to properly analyze and assess the scope of intervention and properly prepare action plans and methodologies for timely and efficient implementation.
• Support the evaluation of Contractors that will be undertaking the works on the ground in line with the set specifications and international best practices based on UNDP procurement rules and guidelines.
• Oversee engineers and contractors to ensure the efficient and timely execution of debris removal, disposal, recycling operations, housing unit rehabilitation, and the restoration of educational facilities.
• Track projects implementation progress while ensuring quality assurance and adherence to environmental protection standards.
• Continuously review the plans for early recovery and reconstruction in terms of priority areas, quantification, coordinated access of materials, availability of land for temporary solutions, storage and recycle areas and strengthening environmental protection

3. Ensure high quality team management on governance and early recovery and reconstruction interventions:

• Continuously monitor and give guidance to project managers to ensure the implementing partners as well as engineers and contractors are implementing within the prescribed time frame and following developed SOPs and proper actions under risk management.
• Devise the proper plan with the team to capture the progress of different projects’ activities including the support team assigned tasks including HR, procurement, BSSC, etc. S/he will develop quality assurance indicators providing clear evidence to properly manage risk implementation.
• Review various mitigation measures effectiveness to preserve environment and protection and carry out corrective actions if necessary, during implementation.
• Coaching, capacity building training for UNDP staff and assist them in identifying proper learning opportunities for planning their career development.
• Continually identify opportunities for team improvement and adherence to internal programme and policy requirements.

4. Contribute to the effort of the country office’s knowledge management and dissemination:

• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country goals and activities, particularly in the areas of donor relations, partnerships, and resource mobilization.
• Provide substantive and sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice including corporate communications repositories.
• Organize and provide training, consultancy, and advice to UNDP staff both on internal and external knowledge management.
• Oversee maintenance of UNDP’s Intranet on country office activities for internal knowledge sharing, and the sharing of relevant knowledge products with external stakeholders through the corporate website.
• Work with the Programme/Communication teams to ensure all knowledge products and success stories are captured, updated, readily available and in the right order, as and when necessary.
• Support the UNDP working group for debris management with active participation, technical inputs to SOPs and sharing debris management related information and lessons learned.
• Actively attend ICCG and clusters meetings relevant to the assigned portfolio to mainstream sustainable solution.

5. Coordination and building strong partnerships with international and national partners and relevant stakeholders seeking solid resource mobilization opportunities:

• Maintain strong relationships with the implementing partners, line ministries, and other relevant partners and donors.
• Review the contractual agreements with implementing partners and build their capacities to develop their ideas in a proper way along with well detailed action plan.
• Maintain regular coordination and quality assurance of expert inputs and products, as well as among project partners to ensure coherence and complementarity of project activities.
• Identify opportunities for deepening the cooperation and recommending adequate approaches to deal with different stakeholders based on information gathered on all relevant stakeholders during projects’ implementation.
• Maintain regular communication with international partners and identify opportunities for collaboration meeting the identified needs of different communities and the different vulnerable groups. 
• Explore partnership opportunities with potential donors that can support the portfolio different components.
• Engage with groups and communities in project activities to reflect their needs and elements of success to the planned interventions.
• Clearly communicate the different program goals and activities to donors, stakeholders and the wider public.

The incumbent performs any other duties agreed to within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

ONLY CURRENT PALESTINIAN NATIONALS AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT IN GAZA STRIP AND WILLING TO WORK AND TRAVEL THROUGHOUT VARIOUS CITIES IN THE STRIP ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION. ALL OTHER APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Institutional Arrangement:

Under the guidance of the Head of Gaza Office and the direct supervision of the Assistant Special Representative in Gaza, the Programme Specialist will for now (expansion expected) supervise an Energy Consultant (IC), 2 Project Coordinators (NPSA7), 4 Project Engineers (NPSA7), 1 Project Manager (NPSA8), 1 Driver (NPSA2), Health Coordinator (NPSA7), 5 Field Engineers (UNV), Coordinator (UNV), Engineer (UNV) and an Outreach & Communication Engagement Assistant (NPSA5). 

Competencies

Core competencies
Achieve Results:	LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively:	LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously:	LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility:	LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination:	LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner:	LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape,            champion            inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:	LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business Direction and Strategy	System Thinking	Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Business Direction and Strategy	Negotiation and Influence	Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win- win’ situations.
Business Development	Knowledge Facilitation	Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and  externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.
Business Management	Project Management	Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
2030 Agenda: Prosperity	Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions	Crisis Governance
Business Management	Results-based Management	Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
Business Management	Monitoring &Evaluation	Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively;  Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools.  Ability to make independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirement	Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Management, Business Administration, Political Science, Governance & Administration of the Public Sector, International Cooperation and Development, Engineering fields and/or Logistics or other related field is required OR First-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the areas stated above, in combination with 2 years of additional experience will be given due consideration in lieu of master’s degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience	Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in managing governance related projects and development infrastructure projects, including early recovery initiatives, environmental initiatives as well as financial, budget, risk, staff, and quality management is required.
Required skills	At least 5 years of professional work experience in supply/logistics/warehouse management, operations, access control, security, including complex logistics and warehouse management of relief programmes at national and international levels   Proven experience in dealing with local governments, national authorities, NGOs, and bilateral and multilateral donors.  Experience in project management (including results-based management, finance, HR, and procurement).  Excellent use of project  management software.  Professional experience in reportwriting. Previous experience of similar complex operations and prior exposure to crisis or humanitarian contexts.
Desired          skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section	Knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations relating to MOSS, Logistics etc. Previous experience in early recovery in a complex crisis context  Previous experience with international (public or private sector) organizations. Relevant experience in implementing complex projects including governance, debris management, solid waste management, large scale multisectoral projects including construction, solar energy and  WASH Experience in governance and Access to Justice in crisis areas and complex environment.
Required Language(s)	Fluency in Arabic and English  is required.
Professional Certificates	N/A

ONLY CURRENT PALESTINIAN NATIONALS AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT IN GAZA STRIP AND WILLING TO WORK AND TRAVEL THROUGHOUT VARIOUS CITIES IN THE STRIP ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION. ALL OTHER APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.