BACKGROUND

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The Office of the United Nations’ Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) represents the Secretary-General and leads the UN system in all political and diplomatic efforts related to the peace process, including in the Middle East Quartet. UNSCO also coordinates the humanitarian and development work of UN agencies and programmes in the occupied Palestinian territory, in support of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is deeply committed to peace in the Middle East. The UN works for the creation of an independent State of Palestine living side-by-side in peace with the State of Israel, and a just, lasting and comprehensive resolution to the Arab Israeli conflict, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and international law.

UNSCO’s Coordination Unit advises the Special Coordinator and the Deputy Special Coordinator/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator (DSC/RC/HC) on humanitarian and development aid coordination issues.  Through support to the DSC/RC/HC, the unit works to enhance coordination and coherence with the UN Country Team which is composed of over 24 UN Agencies including through the development and implementation of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework and common UN approaches and policies as they relate to development programming. It also engages with the donor community, the Palestinian Authority, the Government of Israel, international community, and civil society on the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of aid policies and programming. The unit provides a combination of coordination services and policy assessments and contributes to regular reporting such as quarterly-socio economic reports, Security Council briefings, and reports to the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee. It represents the United Nations system at both the international and local levels, giving it the ability to provide assessments of the situation on the ground, mobilize donor funds, and advise donors on key policy decisions.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Coordination Unit in Jerusalem, the Coordination Specialist would enhance UNSCO’s capacity to coordinate UN early recovery, reconstruction and development efforts, align humanitarian, recovery and development activities with political efforts engaging the parties, while engaging with relevant authorities and donors to facilitate and mobilize support for UN programs.

Key Duties and Accountabilities include:

Monitors, analyzes, and reports humanitarian and development situations and trends in Gaza:

• Monitors, analyzes and reports on trends on the human and socio-economic rights situation, external aid and public financial management, and in the UN’s evolving programmatic strategies relevant to Gaza.
• Contributes to integrated humanitarian, development, Peace approaches in planning, programming and implementation.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Substantively contributes to the UN coordination mechanisms in Gaza:

• Provides substantive and practical support to Gaza-level UN coordination mechanisms and ensures linkages.
• Alignment with the work of the UNCT at the national level; this can include as appropriate.
• Active participation in and support for formal coordination mechanisms as well as leading or co-leading working groups on issues of key importance to UNSCO’s and the UNCT’s programmatic priorities in Gaza.

Reports and provides guidance to Chief Coordination Unit:

• Drafts routine and ad hoc situation reports/briefings including input for reports of the Secretary-General, the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee and the monthly Security Council Briefing.
• Shares strategic guidance and information between UNSCO, the UNCT and Gaza-based coordination mechanisms and partners.

Establish and maintain strategic partnerships, political efforts engaging the parties, while engaging with relevant authorities and donors to facilitate and mobilize support for UN programs:

• Support the creation and coordination of partnerships with the Participating UN Organizations and other relevant stakeholders to ensure cohesion and joint efforts to achieve intended programme outcomes.
• Provide technical support on implementation of integrated risk management including guiding possible engagement with de facto administration and external partners on recommended actions to take.

Contribute to the UNSCO’s capacity to coordinate UN early recovery, reconstruction and development efforts:

• Provide coordination and management support to early recovery coordination, monitoring and evaluation and other programming initiatives.
• Support integration of social, cultural and religious dimensions into risk mitigation measures, including in support to the implementation of identified mitigating measures.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Other duties:

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

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration, Anthropology, Law, Economics, or related area is required. OR
• A first–level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with two (2) years relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of master’s degree.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills: 

• A minimum of five (5) years (with a master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in coordinating development or humanitarian activities in national governments and/or at the international level is required.
• Previous experience in coordinating development activities in (post)-conflict countries and/or in international organizations or in support of a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is required.
• At least two years of experience working in a United Nations common system field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes) – or similar international organization or non-governmental organization is desirable.
• At least 2 years of experience working in the Middle East is desirable.
• Experience analyzing political, economic and social challenges and communicating strategic policy and programmatic advice, including senior leadership, donors and governments, is desirable.
• Experience participating in inter-agency coordination mechanisms at the local or national level is desirable.
• Experience in early recovery and reconstruction efforts is desired.
• Experience in generating security related briefs/reports is an advantage.

Language Requirements: 

• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.
• Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

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: 

Business Direction and Strategy: System Thinking

• Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritize plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges and opportunities – linking the vision to reality on the ground, and systematically creating tangible and actionable solutions.

Business Development: Knowledge Generation

• Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Development: Human Centered Design

• Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process Knowledge and understanding of human centred design principles and practices.

Business Development: UNSCO Representation

• Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNSCO knowledge and activities; advocate for UNSCO, its values, mission and work with various constituencies.

Business Management: Partnerships Management

• Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness: Effectiveness

• Systems and tools for managing risk.

2030 Agenda: Prosperity: Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility

• Local Economic /Socioeconomic Recovery.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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Note: 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.

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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements