UNDP/PAPP Vacancies

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Head of the Gaza Office, the program specialist acts as a manger and coordinator  for the Engineering Unit in Gaza in close cooperation and coordination with the Infrastructure and Engineering Unit in Jerusalem, Operations and Program team, technical advisors and experts, national counterparts and with the required HQ's procurement and legal departments. The main role is to manage the infrastructure projects in the Gaza Strip within the country programme including planning, design and continued monitoring of implementation as well as quality assurance. The scope of works cover the technical and engineering activities implemented within the three program capitals of PAPP. This will include implementation of infrastructure projects on behalf of UN Agencies upon request.

The Program specialist provides leadership, daily management and coordination of the engineering team to deliver top quality of outputs linked with various projects and programs including coaching and mentoring to ensure efficient client-focused services are delivered. Throughout the process, fundamental aspects pertaining UNDP core values, goals and objectives of the CO are pursued, fulfilled and strictly applied in all operations.

Summary of key functions will be:

• Engineering Unit/Gaza planning, management and policy analysis;
• Engineering Unit/Gaza performance and results-based reporting;
• Coordination, representation and networking within and outside UNDP/PAPP;
• Knowledge management and advisory services to the Gaza Office

1. Ensures  Engineering Unit/Gaza planning, management and policy analysis are according to programme strategies focusing on achieving the following results:

• Ensuring the projects are designed, tendered and implemented with international high standards matching with the quality logs and meeting terms of quality assurance.
• Timely and proper preparation of the Unit plans for various types of projects, establishment of the deadlines and monitoring of their implementation.
• Identifying the unit needs for successful delivery.
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational problems, provision of technical analysis and development of solutions.
• Identification of interventions and activities within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned.
• Preparing proposals for infrastructure interventions with the proper implementation set up based on identified needs and capturing program synergies.
• Follow on lessons learned and implications on various business processes and technical inputs in addition to relevant unit policies.
• Regular study of markets and relevant implications on pricing, financial management of projects as well as procurement process.

2. Ensuring Engineering Unit/Gaza performance through implementation and results-based  reporting is fulfilling high standards focusing on achievement of the following:

• Provide leadership and guidance to the engineering team to carry out the planned activities in coherence with UNDP rules and regulations.
• Continuous monitoring of unit various activities through site visits, work appraisal and reviews of projects' outputs.
• Elaborate on continuous coaching and mentoring to the team members.
• Assignments of roles within the management structure of the unit  according to available competencies and experience.
• Carrying out recruitment process of engineers in cooperation with the Human Resources and assisting
• other units in recruitment activities
• Identify and articulate lessons learnt from the operations and implementation of Projects
• Periodical reports on work progress and updates as may be required on projects' activities
• Ensuring that further review exercises are properly carried out and appropriate follow up actions are taken.
• All technical aspects are maintained according to UNDP procurement guidelines and respecting international technical aspects.
• Ensuring that projects implementation is in line with the AWP and in accordance with the CO strategic plan.
• Development and management of the rosters of suppliers, elaboration of supplier selection and evaluation, quality and performance measurement  mechanisms.

3. Coordination, representation and networking within and outside UNDP/PAPP
• Establishing strong and active partnerships with CO teams, UN Agencies, NGOs and strategic partners in the specific thematic areas of UNDP/PAPP
• Representing Gaza Unit concerning technical and program interventions with Municipalities, NGO's ,CSO's, UNCT and other counterparts. 

4. Ensuring provision of top quality advisory services and  facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on  the following results:

• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Organization of trainings for the projects staff on programme issues.
• Support to development of policies and institutions that will address the country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
• Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues.
• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to programme country policy goals.

 

Impact of Results

The key functions that are carried out have a great positive impact on the overall delivery mechanism of the Gaza Office program as a part of the country program. Impact of the results will have substantial direct input contributing to the success of UNDP interventions in Gaza Strip. The Gaza office will ultimately have a strong and professional engineering team that is able to deliver efficiently and promptly according to preset plans. In addition, performance of the engineering team will have a decisive impact on UNDP credibility and integrity as a leading international agency and to the creation of strategic partnership with various stakeholders.

 

 

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge Management and Learning
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the 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

Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Ability to lead engineering tasks and processes using up-to-date knowledge of technical standards, specifications and tools in construction management
• Ability to introduce and implement strategic engineering, contract and sourcing strategy
• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.
• Demonstrates a complete in-depth grasp of construction management rules and practices
• Ability to identify lessons learned and continuously adapt the projects' plans accordingly
• Ability to form and lead engineering teams to fulfill the assigned tasks with high technical standard.
Management and Leadership
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Education:
Minimum Master’s Degree or equivalent in Civil Engineering

Experience:
7 years experience

Language Requirements:
Excellent command of English and Arabic language (spoken and written).

“UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer: applications from men and women will be considered equally”