UNDP/PAPP Vacancies

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Office, Gaza and the direct supervision of the Deputy Head of Office and in matrix reporting with the Team Leader- Poverty Reduction, the Programme Specialist, Poverty Reduction acts as a manager of the Poverty Reduction portfolio in Gaza. The main role is to manage the Poverty Reduction portfolio, including continued monitoring of implementation of projects under this portfolio and development of new initiatives and projects. This includes, but is not limited to, relative areas of current UNDP focus such as: non-agricultural livelihoods and private sector support (i.e. – job creation, SMEs, PSD, micro-finance), agricultural development and productivity, cash assistance and transfers as well as some potential future activities such as working on economic reforms (i.e. - regulatory environments for business growth, labour market and social reform). The complex working context in Gaza will influence the focus of activities.

The Programme Specialist manages the Project Managers under the Poverty Reduction portfolio and leads in strategic planning, advocacy and analytical work, and identifies new programme areas while ensuring consistency with UNDP/PAPP strategic framework and priorities.
 
The Programme Specialist works in close collaboration with UNDP advisors and other UNDP programmes such as the MDG Fund, Early Recovery, and the Global Fund to ensure cross cutting themes such as peace-building, crisis reduction, early recovery, gender, disabilities, Human Rights etc are integrated into Poverty Reduction projects.  S/he will also work with the operations team, programme staff in Jerusalem other UN Agencies in Gaza and Jerusalem, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to successfully implement the UNDP programme

Summary of key functions:
• Ensuring the UNDP Poverty Reduction projects in Gaza are in line with the strategic directions of the UNDP/PAPP Programme in the area of Poverty Reduction;
• Assist in the design and implementation of Poverty Reduction initiatives in Gaza, with a focus on job creation;
• Management of the Poverty Reduction projects and  supervision of the project managers and teams;
• Promote advocacy and substantive analytical work on Poverty Reduction in Gaza, with a focus on job creation;
• Support UNDP early recovery coordination and advocacy role in the field of poverty reduction and develop strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization;
• Advice and support to UNDP management on economic and development issues in Gaza and;
• Facilitation of knowledge building and management.

1. Ensuring the UNDP Poverty Reduction projects in Gaza are in line with the strategic directions of the UNDP/PAPP Programme in the area of Poverty Reduction, with a focus on job creation:
• Co-ordinate and provide substantive contributions to UNDP/PAPP strategic discussions on the Gaza context;
• Promote thematic and sectoral synergies and coordination of programme activities and implementation in the area of Poverty Reduction;
• Lead in programme formulation and networking to ensure a Poverty Reduction  programme which is relevant and responsive to changes in the  post crisis context of Gaza;
• Advise management on Poverty Reduction  programme development and delivery within the context of Gaza and;
• Identify approaches and modalities to achieve identified results. 
2. Assist in the design and implementation of projects on Poverty Reduction in Gaza
• Conduct research and analysis of  the post crisis situation in Gaza in order to identify  priorities to inform the design of programmes and projects for Poverty Reduction, with a focus on job creation;
• Formulate programmes and projects that fully reflect a results-oriented approach and benchmarks to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation and;
• Assist in training and capacity building support for UNDP staff and counterparts on programme implementation issues.
3. Support participation in inter-agency coordination and advocacy role in the field of poverty reduction and develop strategic partnerships and support to resource mobilization:
• Reach out to all international and national partners to develop common approaches and joint strategies on poverty reduction in Gaza;
• Development of strong partnerships with civil society organizations, donors ,other UN Agencies, private sector  in the implementation of poverty reduction, with a focus on job creation;
• Advice on possible areas for UNDP support and/or adjustment of on-going projects/programmes to ensure that UNDP projects/programmes are in line with UNDP/PAPP  policies and priorities;
• Support overall resource mobilization with a focus on the Mid Term Strategic Framework and;
• Explore opportunities for joint programming within the Poverty Reduction portfolio and possible areas of cooperation.
4. Promote advocacy and substantive analytical work on Poverty Reduction in Gaza, with a focus on job creation:
• Promote pro-poor policy advocacy and awareness campaigns  and priorities in favor of poverty reduction strategies;
• Compilation, analysis and interpretation of poverty reduction and economic and statistical data, thorough research of the economic and development issues in Gaza and preparation of top quality analysis and reports such as the Poverty Monitor.
• Advice on possible areas for UNDP support and/or adjustment of on-going programmes to ensure that UNDP Gaza projects/ programmes are in line with UNDP/PAPP strategic framework and priorities.
• Assist in identifying policy options, particularly from pro-poor perspectives, on macroeconomic and development issues to UNDP and other development actors in Gaza;
• Public advocacy to promote UNDP’s mandate and mission in the area of Poverty Reduction.
5. Management of the Poverty Reduction programs/ projects and  supervision of the project managers and teams:
• Manage UNDP’s Poverty Reduction projects and programme in Gaza within the context of UNDP/PAPP strategic framework and priorities;
• Monitor Poverty Reduction work plans in Gaza, programme effectiveness and achievement of results;
• Maintain regular contact with project and programme counterparts and with the programme unit in Jerusalem and the West Bank;
• Financial management: the Programme Specialist performs the functions of Manager Level 1 in ATLAS for projects transactions approval and;
• Ensures the integrity of financial systems, review budget requirements, implementing and monitoring of the programme, tracking use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. 
6. Facilitation of knowledge building and management in the area of Poverty Reduction:
• Facilitation of policy dialogue on Poverty Reduction issues with civil society, private sector and contributions to development of policies as relevant.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice through identification of best practices and lessons learned.
• Training and capacity building support for UNDP staff and counterparts in Gaza on Poverty Reduction issues.

 Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the overall success of UNDP/PAPP programme and reaching results in Gaza. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, operation and programming of activities, creation of strategic partnerships as well as reaching resource mobilization targets.

 

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
• Performance Management;
• Working in Teams;
• Self-Management/Emotional Intelligence;
• Communication
• Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making;
• Analytical and Strategic Thinking and Results Orientation/Commitment to Excellence;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism
Functional Competencies:
• Knowledge Management and Learning
• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
• 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 strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
• Ability to formulate and manage budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, reporting and cost-recovery
• Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change
Management and Leadership
• Builds strong relationships with counterparts,
• Focuses on impact and result and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Advocacy/advancing a policy oriented agenda:
• Results based programme development and management;
• Leveraging the resources of partners / building strategic alliances and partnerships;
• Innovation and marketing of new approaches;
• Job knowledge / technical expertise

Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Ability to lead strategic planning, result-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects
• Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
•  Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills

Education:
Master’s Degree in Economics or Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field. In exceptional cases BA degree with 7 years of experience would be considered.

Experience:
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience for Master degree and minimum 7 years of relevant experience  for BA degree at the national or international level in the area of poverty reduction, economic / private sector development, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing relationships among international organizations and civil society organizations; project management experience would be an advantage
• Excellent communication and writing skills

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Arabic.