Head of Gaza Sub Office [Open to internal and external applicants]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

UNDP’s Project of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) was established through a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 December 1978, calling upon UNDP “to improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people”. Since its establishment, UNDP/PAPP has delivered over USD 1.7 billion in development assistance to the Palestinian People.

UNDP’s Palestinian Programmatic Framework (PPF) 2023-2025 sets out a vision of “a world in which all Palestinians can enjoy a dignified life and fulfil their own vision of a unified, peaceful and free society”.  The PPF is centered around the concept of ‘Transformative Resilience’ and its three elements: a cohesive Palestinian identity, self-reliance, and ownership and leadership.

Against the backdrop of the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, UNDP/PAPP has prepared a comprehensive and integrated Early Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience Programme centered around three main pillars: 1) essential public and social infrastructure and services; 2) inclusive economic recovery; 3) inclusive governance.  The estimated budget is $2 billion and also complements the ongoing humanitarian response activities undertaken by UNDP in Gaza.
 

Position Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Special Representative of the Administrator and in close collaboration with the Deputy Special Representative, Head of Gaza Sub-Office will lead PAPP Gaza team and will be responsible for the overall representation of UNDP/PAPP in Gaza, vis-à-vis local interlocutors and international partners, as well as coordination with other UN agencies. S/he is responsible for providing overall security and administrative oversight of the Gaza Sub-Office, financial delivery and oversight, human resources and staff wellbeing/duty, and risk management.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration

Duties and Responsibilities

The Head of the Gaza Sub-Office will perform the following key functions: 

• Representation and Coordination
• Office Management
• Programme Development, Strategic Analysis, Planning and Advice
• Programme Oversight

Representation and Coordination:

• Represents UNDP in the Gaza Strip, and in various fora as requested by the Special Representative;
• Coordinates with UN Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and national authorities through the establishment of a wider consultation process, thus strengthening the links between relief, early recovery and development activities;
• Leads and oversees the Gaza-related resource mobilization efforts, particularly targeting new bilateral and multilateral partners and maintaining effective relations with current partners;
• Ensures effective communication and coordination with all relevant authorities, including access of goods, equipment and staff into Gaza;
• Contributes to UNDP/PAPP’s overall strategic and operational planning process; and 
• Contributes to the overall resource mobilization efforts of UNDP/ PAPP in close collaboration with relevant Programme Units.

Lead Office Management:

• Ensures the re-establishment and smooth running of the sub-office, including management and supervision of staff, finance and administrative matters in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations including UNDP/PAPP’s internal control framework;
• Is responsible and accountable for the appropriate use and management of resources attributed to the sub-office and to the portfolio of the geographic area;
• Provides first line Quality Assurance of the sub-office’ activities;
• Identifies and puts in place measures to mitigate risks, and elevates them as required to the Special Representative; and
• Motivates staff and promotes teamwork, collaboration and synergies within the sub-office, among the project teams in his area, and with the programme units at the main office in Jerusalem.

Lead Programme Development, Strategic Analysis, Planning and Advice:

• Responsible, in close collaboration with the Deputy Special Representative and relevant programme units in UNDP/PAPP, for the strategic direction of the sub-office programmatic activities, through the implementation of the UNDP Gaza Early Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience programme and its effective adaptation to circumstances, needs, and opportunities;
• Identifies further opportunities to strengthen humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach, including through the identification of support to humanitarian response efforts; 
• Advises the Special Representative, national counterparts and other donor partners on policies and strategies to adequately respond to early recovery and reconstruction challenges and needs;
• Ensures identification and development of early recovery and reconstruction programming and potential joint programming and planning opportunities;
• Participates in and leads joint needs assessments and surveys, and facilitates the collection and verification of data inform policy and programming; 
• Based on monitoring and evaluation of the recovery and reconstruction situation, further develops programmatic responses addressing gaps;
• Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned for organizational sharing and learning; and
• Contributes overall programming related to all-of-oPt response and approach.

Ensure Effective Programme Oversight:

• Ensures rigorous oversight of programmatic interventions, based on continuous monitoring and analysis of (a) the most critical recovery and reconstruction needs, required response, access and security issues, and other operational matters and (b) implementation progress of the programmes in the Gaza Strip; and c) effective programme risk identification, management and mitigation. 
• In close collaboration with the Deputy Special Representative, ensures the attainment of expected programmatic results in the Gaza Strip; 
• Ensures effective application of RBM and SES tools for programme effectiveness, efficiency, and achievement of results; 
• Ensures the integrity of financial systems, review of budget requirements and the consistent application of rules and regulations; and 
• Supports capacity-building of national counterparts.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the sub-office and the organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the Special Representative of the Administrator and in close collaboration with the Deputy Special Representative, Head of Gaza Sub-Office will lead PAPP Gaza team while being responsible for overall representation of UNDP/PAPP in Gaza.
 

Competencies

Core
Achieve Results:	LEVEL 4: Prioritize team workflow, mobilize resources, drive scalable results/strategic impact
Think Innovatively:	LEVEL 4: Easily navigate complexity, encourage/enable radical innovation, has foresight
Learn Continuously	LEVEL 4: Create systems and processes that enable learning and development for all
Adapt with Agility	LEVEL 4: Proactively initiate/lead organizational change, champion new systems/processes
Act with Determination	LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner	LEVEL 4: Construct strategic multi-partner alliances in high stake situations, foster co-creation
Enable Diversity and Inclusion	LEVEL 4: Create ethical culture, identify/address barriers to inclusion

People Management:
The incumbent will lead Gaza based team while Managing Performance and Ensuring Accountability.

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 
 

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business Direction & Strategy	Business Acumen	Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome. Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks.
Business Direction & Strategy	System Thinking	Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Business Management	Results-based Management	Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
Communications	Advocacy strategy and implementation	Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change.
Business Management	Portfolio Management	Ability to select, prioritise and control the organi􀁝ation􀂶s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment
Partnership management	Relationship management	Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust, and mutual understanding.
Business Development	UNDP Representation	Ability to represent UNDP and productively share UNDP knowledge and activities; advocate for UNDP, its values, mission, and work with various constituencies.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Management, Political or Social Science, International Studies, Public Administration, Economics is required. or
  A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
   

Experience:

• Minimum of 15 years (with master’s degree) or 17 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible professional experience in recovery and development affairs, crisis response and prevention, recovery and development, or other related areas;
• Proven management and leadership experience in crisis settings and from difficult development settings, demonstrated cultural understanding, and political acumen are required;
• Previous UNDP experience in similar capacity is an asset;
• Previous experience in the region is an asset; 
• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Working knowledge of spoken Arabic is an asset
   

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

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