336 - Liaison Coordinator the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities - Jerusalem

Application Type : External Vacancy
Job ID/Title : 336 - Liaison Coordinator the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities
Category : Other
Brand : UNDP
Post Level : SB3/3
Application Deadline : 20-Jun-10
Duty Station : Jerusalem
Type of Contract : Service Contract
Post Number :
(for 100 Series Contracts)
Languages Required :
Arabic, English,
Starting Date :
(date when the selected canditate is expected to start)
Duration of Initial Contract : 12 months with possible extension
Expected Duration of Assignment : 24 months with possible extension
Background:

The Municipal Alliance for Peace, a.k.a. MAP is a joint initiative of the Palestinian, Israeli and International Municipalities to promote peace and mutual understanding among their citizens.  MAP aims to achieve this through trilateral municipal cooperation between Palestinian, Israeli and International Municipalities.

MAP has been established to support the establishment of security, peace and prosperity between Palestinian and Israeli citizens through municipal cooperation.   The partners that work together under MAP acknowledge that it is the obligation and responsibility of the local authorities to pro-actively work towards ending the conflict in the Middle East by finding ways in which Palestinian and Israeli citizens can peacefully live side by side in two states;  Palestine and Israel.  The municipal alliance is convinced that the only manner to achieve this is through mutual dialogue and cooperation, whereby the Palestinian and Israeli local authorities can work as partners and address mutual problems that can benefit both sides.  This can be facilitated through on-the-ground cooperation, at local level, and by creating broad-based support among Palestinian and Israeli citizens.

 

Description of Responsibilities:
The key tasks and responsibilities for the MAP liaison officer are to assist the Palestinians and Israeli municipalities with managing their cooperative municipal activities under MAP, in addition to ensuring mutual learning and cross-fertilization among the various MAP activities and to support the joint MAP SECRETARIAT. To do so, the core functions of the liaison officer include:
 
i)                     Support political lobbying (particularly, with the Palestinian and Israeli political leadership and at the international level);
ii)                    Facilitate MAP partners in the formulation and implementation of local action plans;
iii)                  Coordinate activities focus, coherence, mutual learning and cross-fertilization;
iv)                 Assess and help develop new proposals and resource mobilization.
 
•Review and write proposals, financial reports and general reports according to international standards;
•Be familiar with international municipal cooperation.
•Be acquainted with international relations and international organizations;
•Possess excellent PR skills; promote MAP to the general public and international organizations working in the region.
•Be willing and able to travel within the region and abroad.
•Coordinate and communicate effectively and professionally with International Organizations, Municipalities and associations.
•Coordinate with Israelis and Palestinians to obtain necessary permits for Palestinian counterparts to attend meetings in Israel when and if necessary.

 

Impact of Results
 
 
An international board of municipalities, their representative organizations and international organizations has been established to guide MAP. In addition, a joint MAP secretariat has been established in Jerusalem to assist the municipalities in implementing their trilateral partnership, ensure exchange and cross-fertilization among the initiatives and assist in PR and lobbying activities. Besides, this secretariat, both the Association of Palestinian Local Authorities, a.k.a APLA and the Union of Local Authorities of Israel a.k.a. ULAI will assign a MAP liaison officer to assist, respectively, the Palestinian and Israeli municipalities in developing and implementing their local action plans with local citizens’ groups. 
 
Competencies :
Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrate integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards
  • Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
  • Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Treat all people fairly without favouritism
  • Excellent analytical and organizational skill
Functional Competencies
Knowledge Management and Learning
  • Promote a knowledge-sharing and learning culture in the Jerusalem office
  • In-depth knowledge on development issues
  • Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
  • Knowledge of UNDP / UN policies and programmes in crisis and post-crisis situations
  • Knowledge of UNDP / UN regulations, rules, policies, procedures and practices; operations
Development and Operational Effectiveness
  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
  • Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
  • Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office software and experience with web-based management systems
  • Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and effect staff behavioral/ attitude change
Management and Leadership
  • Focus on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
  • Lead teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
  • Consistently approach work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
  • Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills
  • Build strong relationships with clients and external actors
  • Remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
  • Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
  • Communicate effectively with staff at all levels of the organization
  • Act with tact and diplomacy.
  • Prove outgoing and comfortable in handling external relations at all levels.
  • Build strong relationships with clients and external actors, particularly Palestinians and Israeli counterparts.
  • Remain calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
  • Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
  • Demonstrate compelling communication skills and cross-cultural effectiveness.
  • Demonstrate excellent political / conflict analysis, experience in bilateral and/or multilateral negotiations, and negotiating and training / facilitation skills.
Possess the ability to convey difficult issues and positions to senior officials, proven political judgment, sensitivity to local cultures.
Qualifications :
Education:
  • University Degree or equivalent in International Relations, Public Administration, Political Science, Social Sciences or related field. Masters is an Asset.
 
 
Experience:
  • 2-3 years of progressive experience in administration and coordination with international organization.
·         Experience of working with public institutions as well as with grassroots organizations and civil society required.
  • Experience in programme/project planning and execution as well as monitoring and evaluation of projects would be an asset.
  • Sound analytical skills on political, social, cultural and any other relevant issues.
 
Language Requirements:
Fluency in communication in English and Arabic, including excellent writing skills. Fluency in Hebrew is an asset
"UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer: Applications from men and women are considered equally"