National Coordinator/Deputy Team Leader

Job ID/Title :National Coordinator/Deputy Team Leader - Re-advertised
Brand :UNDP
Application Deadline :15-Aug-12
Duty Station :Ramallah
Type of Contract :Service Contract
Duration of Initial Contract :     8 Months

ملاحظة هامة : للتقديم لهذه الوظيفة يجب اولا تعبئة النموذج الخاص بالمؤسسة P11 Form ومن تعبية الطلب الكترونيا من خلال موقع المؤسسة على الرابط التالي:
Background:
The United Nations Development Programme/Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP), in cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, implements an European Union-funded project with the objective to strengthen the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Secretariat to support the PLC as the democratically elected legislative body within the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). The PLC is responsible for establishing the legislative framework as well as overseeing the PNA in order to ensure transparent, effective and accountable governance. Since 2007, the PLC legislative functions has been frozen due to the political divide in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), while the PLC Secretariat has remained operational. The project will assist the PLC Secretariat in preparing for the resumption of parliamentary work, in developing its internal administrative functions and processes as well as in conducting specifically designed activities to be implemented even in the current absence of a fully functioning PLC, such as outreach and visibility activities. Specifically, the project will address the following issues:
-Support the institutional development of the PLC Secretariat to fulfil its role as a neutral and modern parliamentary Secretariat;
-Review of parliamentary structures and procedures against international best practices;
-Review the effectiveness of the legislative process and the legislative drafting capacities; including the development of proposals to process legislation passed by Presidential decree in absence of a functioning PLC and to address the issue of the divergent legal framework in the oPt;
-Embed policy analysis and executive oversight functions in the parliamentary process and strengthen the respective support capacities of the PLC Secretariat; and
-Strengthen the outreach and public relations capacities of the PLC Secretariat both in quality and in substance by reviewing the PLC Secretariat's existing communication and outreach strategies, by reviewing the transparency and openness of parliamentary processes including the functioning of the complaints bureau, and by introducing regular outreach activities targeting specifically students, as well as others..

To attain these objectives, the project will provide organizational and individual capacity development.
Description of Responsibilities:
Under the overall direction of the Senior Technical Advisor/Team Leader, and the Programme Analyst, who is primarily responsible for quality oversight and first-line response to programmatic activities, (work plans and budgets), the key role of the National Coordinator/Deputy Team Leader is to ensure day to day operational management of the project under the supervision of the Senior Technical Specialist / Team Leader.  The National Coordinator/Deputy Team Leader is also responsible for ensuring effective transfer of skills from national and international experts to the parliamentary staff.  The National Coordinator/Deputy Team Leader will be responsible for, but not limited to the following duties and responsibilities:
-Provide operational management and the production of project activities according to the action description;
-Organize training, workshops and seminar activities in line with the four main areas of intervention of the project and in accordance with project work plans;
-Co-ordinate and support project technical personnel;
-Co-ordinate and organize project board review meetings and act as Secretary of the Project Board;
-Preparation of project documents’ drafts, work plans, budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements.
-Prepare and submit regular project management reports, and ensure the completion of all other required reports - including those that may be required of project personnel;
-Maintain, in collaboration with the Senior Technical Specialist/Team Leader, a technical overview of the planned activities and implementation of the project;
-Represent the project in absence of the Senior Technical Specialist/Team Leader;
-Display sound understanding of parliamentary processes and impartial public institutions;
-Manage specific activities within the overall project and coordinate short-term advisers;
-Maintain contacts with external stakeholders in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), including the Palestinian Authority, civil society and academic institutions;
-Undertake tasks as assigned by the Senior Technical Specialist/Team Leader and the PLC SG with issues concerns the project;
-Provide substantial input to the production of the handbooks and information material as foreseen under this project;
-Prepare the study visits under this activity in cooperation with the Technical advisor and the PLC SG;
-Ensure visibility of the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme and PLC vis-à-vis stakeholders and local media;

Impact of Results

The activity will help the PLC Secretariat to be thoroughly prepared for the critical first six months of resumption of parliamentary work, ranging from operational-administrative tasks and procedural requirements to specific capacity-development and communication needs that will have to be addressed. The support will ensure that the PLC Secretariat can provide non-partisan and effective services to the parliament and serve as a stabilizing factor in a potentially volatile environment upon resumption of parliamentary work. Therefore, the activity will also propose different scenarios for consideration that allow for a realistic and constitutionally consistent parliamentary review of legislation passed by Presidential decree during the absence of a functioning PLC as well as proposals on how to address the issue of the divergent legal frameworks in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip;
In a more general perspective, the activity will attain the following results:
-The PLC Secretariat's institutional capacity is measurably improved both in its administrative functioning and its parliamentary service delivery through process review, capacity-development and the upgrade of IT equipment;
-The parliamentary rules of procedure as well as other legal provisions affecting the parliament as institution and the rights and duties of PLC Members are reviewed and, insofar necessary, proposals for approximation with international best practices are developed for consideration upon resumption of parliamentary work;
-The PLC's previous performance in the legislative process is analysed with a view on improving its transparency, effectiveness and efficiency, taking into account a professional interaction between government and parliament as well as possible consultations with civil society and general public in the process. The PLC Secretariat's capacities to provide effective procedural, substantive and legal advice in the legislative process will be improved;
-The capacity of the PLC Secretariat to provide policy advice,  regulatory and financial impact analyses, general research and comparative analyses is improved;
-The executive oversight functions of the PLC are reviewed and, insofar necessary, proposals to increase their effectiveness through procedural amendments and a more effective support by the PLC Secretariat developed;
-The PLC Secretariat has developed and implemented a sustainable communication and outreach strategy, including a modern, transparent and responsive web-site and other communication tools, launched visiting and parliamentary simulation programs mainly targeted at students and considered proposals to bring the parliament, its Members and the legislative process closer to the citizens;

The PLC's function to respond to citizens' petitions is reviewed and its efficiency and effectiveness improved insofar necessary
Competencies :
-Corporate Competencies:
-Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN values and ethical standards
-Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
-Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
-Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
-Treats all people fairly without favouritism
-Excellent analytical and organizational skills
-Functional Competencies:
-Knowledge Management and Learning
-Promotes a knowledge-sharing and learning culture in the PAPP office
-In-depth knowledge on Parliamentary development issues
-Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
-Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
-Knowledge of UNDP / UN policies and programmes in crisis and post-crisis situations
-Knowledge of UNDP / UN regulations, rules, policies, procedures and practices; operations
-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
-Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office software and experience with web-based management systems
-Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and effect staff behavioral/ attitude change
-Leadership and Self-Management
-Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
-Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
-Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
-Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
-Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
-Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
-Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
-Strong oral and written communication skills
-Communicates effectively with staff at all levels of the organization.
-Acts with tact and diplomacy.
-Proves outgoing and comfortable in handling external relations at all levels.
-Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.

Qualifications :
Education:
Advanced university degree or Bachelor degree in public administration, political science, management, processes re-engineering or in a related discipline.
Experience:
-Advance degree holder with minimum 5 years of work experience out of which at least four years’ practical experience in an advisory capacity and management of projects and in good governance and/or parliamentary support;
-Bachelor degree holder with minimum 7 years of work experience out of which at least four years’ practical experience in an advisory capacity and management of projects and in good governance and/or parliamentary support;
-Extensive knowledge and experience in good governance and/or parliamentary business in developed and developing countries;
-Knowledge of the regional experience in parliamentary business is also desirable;
-Ability to interact and establish/maintain good and effective working relations with all parties;
-Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages;
-Well organized, methodical, ability to set priorities and pay attention to detail;
-Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills and collaborative managerial style;
-Knowledge of and experience in working with UNDP in a similar position is an advantage;


Important message to all applicants!
-Please be aware that the UNDP/PAPP will review your application only if you have uploaded Personal History Form (P.11) to your application. Please download the form from the following link: http://jobs.undp.ps.
-You will get the opportunity to upload the P-11 at when you apply for the position.
-Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications that are under consideration will be contacted.