UNDP/PAPP Vacancies

The United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) jointly with United Nations Development Programme, Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) are seeking three experienced National United Nations Volunteer Specialist  "Monitoring & Inspection Officer "   for a duration of twelve months and to be based in Environment Quality Authority in the West Bank .

This post is a United Nations Volunteers assignment and based on the values of free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity, which are the foundations of volunteerism. Volunteering brings benefit to the individual volunteer. It makes important contributions, economically, as well as socially. It contributes to creating social cohesion and capital, through helping to build trust and reciprocity among citizens.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development, and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.
In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UNV volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.
In all assignments, UNV volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UNV volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

The United Nations Development Programme UNDP launched the field operations of the Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) in the mid 1980s in response to UN General Assembly resolution 33/147, which called on UNDP to provide assistance to the Palestinian people. The West Bank and the Gaza Strip has endured years of occupation, which had led to increased levels of poverty and unemployment. Hundreds of thousands were living in refugee camps in bad conditions without the most basic amenities. Despite its complex and evolving system of operation, UNDP/PAPP has proved to be an efficient mechanism for delivering development assistance to the Palestinian people and has been welcomed by donors as a means of providing them with transparency and financial accountability. The sensitive political environment within which UNDP/PAPP operates, the complexity and uniqueness of its operations requires that its communication, media relations and outreach efforts be handled with a high level of strategic orientation, political sensitivity, and wisdom.
UNDP Support of the Environment Quality Authority (EQA) in strengthening its regulatory role and improving the compliance, monitoring and enforcement of the environmental regulations

The general objective of this project is to support the Environment Sector in the oPt, and to strengthen the Environment Quality Authority (EQA) regulatory role in the environment sector, in terms of development of regulations, guidelines, monitoring and inspection systems. The project will also identify the role of other stakeholders in monitoring and enforcement of those regulations. The project will also identify strategic interventions for EQA and UNDP/PAPP in the environmental sector.

UNDP helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights and the empowerment of women (www.undp.org).

Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the director general of environmental protection, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Collect available documents and procedures relevant to licensing and permitting from various PNA central and local agencies, including laws, bylaws, procedure manuals, instructions, standards, etc.;
• Collect information about sectoral activities affecting/polluting the environment (industry, agriculture, transportation, telecommunication,…);
• Collect available statistical data and records about the producers of pollution;
• Design questionnaires for surveying pollution sources;
• Conducting the survey for representative sample of sources;
• Compile collected data into suitable computer software;
• Conduct field visits for facilities that were granted environmental approvals;
• Examine licenses and permits against applied regulations and requirements;
• Classify the environmental approvals for the establishments according the EA policy;
• Report on compliance of licensing and permitting process against laws and regulations;
• Check the compliance of existing operation conditions against granted permits;
• Report on compliance of facilities to permitting conditions;
• Report on follow up actions (if any) for non-compliance to laws and regulations;
• Any other related duties as may be required.
Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; network and build relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals, and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives; reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; initiate and/or participate in local volunteer groups, including assisting them in submitting stories and experiences to the World Volunteer Web site;
• Promote or advise local groups on the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible;
• Encourage, mobilize and support co-workers, fellow UN Volunteers and members of the local community to play an active part in peace and development activities on a voluntary basis;
• Discuss with supervisors how volunteerism for peace and development can be mainstreamed in the assignment and integrate activities promoting volunteerism for peace and development into work plans;
• Assist with the UNV “buddy programme” for newly arriving UN Volunteers.

Results/Expected Outputs:

Electronic database created, containing data about existing pollution of the environment and tracking the main potential polluters and their licensing/compliance status;

• Report issued on the current situation regarding available documents and procedures relevant to licensing and permitting systems from various PNA central and local agencies, including laws, bylaws, procedure manuals, instructions, standards, etc.;
• Report on the data collected;
• Report on compliance of facilities/establishments to permitting conditions;
• Report on follow-up actions (if any) for non-compliance to laws and regulations.

Competencies and values:

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to ccept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment;
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary;
• Technological Awareness - Fully proficient computer skills, particularly in using relevant technology and its application to archives, library, documentation and record keeping.
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

Living Conditions:

As this is a national UNV assignment, the volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Conditions of Service:

A 12-month contract, renewable (depending on availability of funding, operational necessity and/or satisfactory performance); monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to US$ 870; settling-in-grant (if applicable); life, health, and permanent disability insurance; resettlement allowance upon satisfactory of service and assignment.

a) Qualifications, skills, experience:
The incumbent must be a dynamic, multi-functional person, who supports EQA with professionalism, dedication and client orientation. The following qualifications are required:

• B Sc. in Science of engineering, preferable with an M. Sc. in field related to the environment;
• Good knowledge of the environmental concerns and problems in the oPt;
• At least 4 years of professional experience (2 for M. Sc. holders);
• Very good command of English language;
• Computer literacy, including spreadsheets and database management software;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.