UNV Projects Officer

Job ID/Title :UNV Projects Officer
Brand : UNV   
Application Deadline :     28-May-12
Duty Station :Ramallah   
Languages Required :Arabic, English,
Duration of Initial Contract :     Twelve months (renewable)   

Background:
The United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) jointly with the United Nations Development Programme UNDP are seeking an experienced National United Nations Volunteer Specialist “Projects Officer” for a duration of twelve months, renewable based in Ramallah.
 
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 / Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) has launched the “Supporting Governance for Palestinian Statehood Programme” in early 2012. The ultimate goal of the programme is to strengthen Palestinian aspirations to achieve a functioning, accountable and independent State. It focuses on three principal areas to support governance for Statehood, namely (i) strengthen public institutions, (ii) foster civic engagement in national planning and policy processes, and (iii) strengthen national and international advocacy platforms for Palestine. Within the programme, UNDP/PAPP will contribute to the enhancement of the institutional capacities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in implementing institutional reform, developing human resources and provision of technical assistance with the contribution of a National UN Volunteer.
 
The National UN Volunteer will be assigned to Directorate of International Economic Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs based in Ramallah.
Description of Responsibilities:
Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision
of the Head of the International Cooperation Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
andthe overall supervision of the UNDP/PAPP Programme Analyst, the UN Volunteer will
undertake the following tasks:
 
-Monitor compliance of project operations with Palestinian Authority rules, regulations and policies; establish targets and monitor achievement of results;
-Establish collaborative arrangements with potential partners; draft partnership agreements; implement agreements for signature to support resource mobilization efforts for MoFA projects;
-Constantly monitor and analyse the operating environment; adjust operations in a timely manner when necessary;
-Participate in preparation of project document revisions and donor proposals, upon request;
-Liaise with inter- and intra-MoFA departments and units for MoFA-related interventions and actions;
-Report and draft correspondence for the head of the International Cooperation Directorate or delegated officers;
-Facilitate the definition of project scope, goals and deliverables, and track project deliverables using appropriate tools;
-Coach, mentor, motivate and supervise project team members and contractors, and influence them to take positive action and accountability for their assigned work;
-Develop best practices and tools for project execution and management;
-Provide quality assurance;
-Constantly monitor and report on progress of projects to all stakeholders;
-Present reports defining project progress, problems and solutions;
-Implement and manage project changes and interventions to achieve project outputs;
-Conduct project evaluations and assessment of results;
-Plan activities, identify and set procedures for project evaluation, data collection and recording, project implementation and follow-up; optimize use of human and financial resources; conduct team performance monitoring and analysis;
-Maintain close coordination with project partners for trade promotion, ensure synergies, avoid overlaps in project implementation, collaborate with other donors working in the same area, and provide information relevant to the project;
-Interact at various levels with civil servants, including senior level (deputy minister and sometimes attend meetings with the Minister), participate in strategic meeting;
-Any other related duties as may be required.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are expected 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:
-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.

Competencies :
-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 accept 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 incumbent will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.
Qualifications :
The national UN Volunteer must be a dynamic, multi-functional person, who wants to contribute to development in the oPt, through the promotion of volunteerism within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with professionalism, dedication and client orientation. The following qualifications are required:
-Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, International Relations or any other related field;
-3-5 years of practical experience in project/office management;
-Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications;
-Fluent in English and Arabic.
-Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure;
-Well-organized, methodical, able to set priorities and pay attention to details;
-Ability to track and follow up on several projects simultaneously;
-Excellent interpersonal skills and collaborative managerial style;
-Have affinity with or interest in crisis and conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for sustainable durable development, and the UN System.

Conditions of Service:
 
A 12-month contract, renewable (depending on availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance); monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to US$ 870 (rate may change based on local cost of living, with due notice given); settling-in-grant (only if current residence outside of duty station); life, health, and permanent disability insurance; resettlement allowance upon satisfactory of service and assignment.
 
Interested and qualified candidates are kindly requested to apply on-line no later than May 28th   2012 to the following address:

 
UNV Programme
UNDP/PAPP Jerusalem
Ref: UNV Projects Officer

Equal Employment Opportunity prohibits discrimination against anyone. It attempts to ensure that all applicants, males-females and all races have a fair opportunity in a hiring process, in competing for promotions, and equal access to training/professional development opportunities.