Advisor Research and Policy Analysis

Position title : Advisor – Research and Policy Analysis
Duty station : Multiple
Contract type : Local ICA Specialist
Duration:  through 31 March 2016, Retainer contract
Application period : 09-Oct-2015 to 18-Oct-2015

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Background Information UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.
Background Information - Jerusalem

Jerusalem Office – UNOPS Project Management and Infrastructure Centre of Excellence

Since the opening of the Jerusalem Office in 2006, UNOPS has significantly strengthened its operations in Palestine. Our expert knowledge, skills and management systems contribute to the sustainable development of public infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank, including Area C and East Jerusalem.

In recognition of its ability to affect and lead positive change, the Jerusalem Office  has been named the UNOPS Project Management and Infrastructure Centre of Excellence.

The Jerusalem Office is the first UN office to receive the Level 4 P3M3 Maturity Model certification in project management by APMG. This certification demonstrates the well-structured, standardized and defined project management processes and methodologies applied to projects, generating the best results desired by our partners.

This achievement is part of a broader agenda to increase the Office’s impact on development projects, by improving our services and adding value to the outcomes of our partners’ works. The office has benchmarked its capabilities against international industry level standards and through this has achieved several prestigious certifications, including ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety), ISO 14001 (Environment Management) and Level 4 P3M3.
Background Information - Job-specific

The long term aim of the Government Institution to establish an “Applied Knowledge Service” providing a research and ‘help desk’ facility. This Security Sector Research and Knowledge Management Centre (SSRKMC) will provide support to the security sector institutions by synthesizing the latest evidence and expert thinking to inform security policy and practice with a specific focus on Palestinian and Regional issues. It is intended to establish a modest physical presence in the Ministry and eventually grow the service providing information according to the needs of the security sector. The Government institution concerned that a great deal of existing useful research is not made available in an accessible form to the security institutions
In the immediate period The Research and Policy Adviser will be responsible for supporting the government institution Programme with background information on the availability of research material and other security sector documentation, for assessing the gaps in research material concerning security sector reforms in Palestine. The Adviser will, together with the CTA and technical team, and government institution develop a proposal to establish the SSRKMC. The government institution will make available two graduate interns to support initial research
Functional Responsibilities

More specifically, the Adviser will:

Establish exactly what research has been done in the past on the security sector and what is ongoing in the security sector concerning Palestine both in Palestine and in the region. Gather information on which bodies are doing what. The Review should encompass universities, other security sector reform/development projects/outputs, research institutions, think-tanks, donor organisations and implementing partners.   

Output 1 – Report on External Research in the Security Sector. A comprehensive   library, in hard and soft copy (e-library) of all external research and legal documents pertaining to the security sector.
Using existing primary and secondary sources of information (libraries, , websites, PLC records, PMO records, Presidency records and GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONand Security Institutions records), assemble a library of all research and associated documentation (e.g., Laws, By-laws, Cabinet Decrees, Presidential Decrees, Prime Minister Decrees, Annual reports, internal reports, assessments, evaluations etc.) pertaining to the function of the security sector in Palestine.

Output 2: A comprehensive library, in hard and soft copy (e-library) of all internal research and legal documents pertaining to the security sector.
Conduct a survey of all security sector institutions to identify who uses research, where research is utilised and what for, and establish an internal research and policy network of concerned staff

Output 3 – Government institution and Security sector institutions research network established and being supported
Ensure training is scheduled for all Team Members and key government institution and security sector institutions staff on use of research in evidence based policy and decision-making and draft appropriate training materials on an ‘as needed’ basis

Output 4 – Training delivered
Liaise with all members of the team, the International Adviser team and the local Implementation Team, as well as the ad hoc Technical Experts and identify available relevant research papers, areas where research is not available. Liaise with other programme partners to identify the research needs of the Programme and longer term research needs (UNDP, EUPOL CoPPs, USSC, DCAF, Palestinian Research organisations)

Output 5 – Report: Review of current research needs
Competencies
-Capacity for problem solving and identifying acceptable/applicable solutions;
-Planning and Organizing - Ability to plan work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines, and with minimal direction/supervision;
-Communications - Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, with the capability of articulating the project’s strategic goals into sound operating project/procurement plans and processes, and the charisma necessary to effectively focus and motivate employees;
-Teamwork - Experience supporting teams in a complex multi-national, multi-cultural environment is required;
-Excellent organizational skills; attention to detail; and determination to meet deadlines.
-Excellent communications and networking skills.
-Ability to participate in a strongly networked team: strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, collaborative working environments, and Google Docs. 
-Familiarity and willingness to work with web applications and collaborative tools necessary for our team to operate across geographic regions, remote from one another.

Technical & Functional Competencies:

-Strong organizational management skills with proven competencies in project management and other management tools and methodologies;
-Proven experience in managing the budgets of a large and diverse multi-discipline project portfolio;
-Strong advocacy and negotiation experience with stakeholders at the highest levels;
 -Demonstrated ability to sustain and expand an existing business portfolio and partner base;
 -Excellent organizational, decision-making and problem-solving skills;
 -Ability to understand the total impact of projects on the entire organization with a holistic perspective (holistic skills);
 -Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills with the ability to address senior management, business and technical audiences;
 -Ability to multi-task and prioritize work schedules;
 -Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office software.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

Advanced University Degree, preferably in Business Administration, Public Administration, Research orrelated field; Additional qualifying years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.


Experience:

-Applicants should have a minimum of 5 years of direct experience in public administration, security sectormanagement or development management, or a similar field with a strong research focus.
-At least 3 years’ experience should be directly related to security sector issues including research,programme design and implementation
-Experience in the Middle East is desirable.


Language:
Applicants must be fluent in written and verbal Arabic and English.

Contract type, level and duration


Contract type: Individual Contract Agreement
Contract level: Local ICA level 10, retainer contract
Contract duration: through 31 March 2016 with possibility of extension

Additional Considerations

-Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
-Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
-Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
-Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
-For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
-The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

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