Programme Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme / Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) was established in 1978 and has since been instrumental in addressing the humanitarian and development crises in the occupied Palestinian territory. With over four decades of experience, UNDP/PAPP has invested more than $1.7 billion in various sectors including infrastructure, livelihoods, governance, and resilience. The organization operates in multiple countries, focusing on post-conflict recovery and resilience-building, particularly in Gaza, where it has a proven track record of large-scale recovery efforts following conflicts. UNDP acts as a facilitator, bringing together various partners such as UN agencies, civil society, and the private sector to link immediate humanitarian relief with long-term development strategies. Recent initiatives include the Gaza Early Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience Programme (GERP) and the Gaza Economic Resilience Programme (ERP), which aim to restore essential services, promote economic recovery, and support governance and social cohesion in the region.

Job Overview:
The Programme Specialist will play a crucial role in formulating and implementing UNDP programme strategies and policies in Gaza. This position requires a deep understanding of the political, social, and economic landscape of the region, as well as the ability to contribute to key strategic documents such as the UN Common Country Assessment and the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring effective management of the economic recovery programme, focusing on quality assurance and risk management throughout the programme's lifecycle. This includes overseeing the design, implementation, and monitoring of programme activities, ensuring alignment with UNDP's priorities and compliance with operational standards. The role also involves creating strategic partnerships with various stakeholders, including UN agencies, government institutions, and civil society, to mobilize resources and enhance programme effectiveness. Additionally, the Programme Specialist will provide high-quality advisory services and facilitate knowledge management, ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are integrated into programme development and implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of UNDP programme strategies and policies by analyzing the political, social, and economic situation in Gaza and providing collaborative inputs to key strategic documents.
• Manage the economic recovery programme effectively, ensuring quality assurance and risk management from formulation to implementation. This includes overseeing planning, budgeting, and monitoring of programme activities, ensuring compliance with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Develop strategic partnerships and implement resource mobilization strategies by identifying areas for cooperation and preparing substantive briefs on potential projects.
• Provide top-quality advisory services and facilitate knowledge building by synthesizing best practices and establishing advocacy networks.
• Support the rollout of new initiatives and programmes, including preparing reports on activities and outcomes, and ensuring effective communication with stakeholders.
• Supervise project managers and provide technical support to partners, ensuring alignment with programme goals and objectives.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and the organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the aforementioned areas, combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will be considered. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience (7 years with a bachelor’s degree) at the national or international level, specifically in management advisory services and development project design, monitoring, and evaluation. Previous experience in economic recovery programmes and knowledge of result-based management are essential. Familiarity with conflict or transition contexts is also required, along with proficiency in office software packages and web-based management systems.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, or Social Sciences is required. A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in these areas, combined with additional qualifying experience, may also be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience for candidates with a master's degree, or 7 years for those with a bachelor's degree. This experience should be at the national or international level and should include providing management advisory services as well as hands-on experience in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of development portfolios and projects in related thematic areas. Previous work on economic recovery programmes and in conflict or transition contexts is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is mandatory, with proficiency in written and oral communication in both languages being essential for the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is open only to current Palestinian nationals available for employment in the Gaza Strip and willing to work and travel throughout various cities in the region. The UNDP is committed to equal opportunity and values diversity, encouraging qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. The organization does not tolerate harassment or discrimination and ensures that all selected candidates undergo relevant checks. UNDP reserves the right to select multiple candidates from this vacancy announcement and may retain applications for similar positions at the same grade level.