Policy Analysis Officer

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peace building, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, UNOPS vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness. By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground. UNOPS employs around 3,500 personnel annually and on behalf of its partners creates thousands more work opportunities in local communities. With its headquarters in Copenhagen,
Denmark, a network of five regional offices and a further 20 operations and project centers, UNOPS oversees activities in more than 80 countries. UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce. In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS

Vacancy code VA/2012/B5106/730
Position title Policy Analysis Officer
Department/office EMO, Jerusalem
Duty station Ramallah, occupied Palestinian territory
Contract type Local ICA Specialist
Contract level LICA Specialist-5
Duration One year with possibility of extension
Application period 03-Jul-2012 to 10-Jul-2012



Background Information - UNOPS

“UNOPS plays a critical role in providing management services for our life-saving, peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. I have seen many examples of how these activities help suffering people in troubled parts of the world.”
-Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, UNOPS vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

UNOPS employs around 3,500 personnel annually and on behalf of its partners creates thousands more work opportunities in local communities. With its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, a network of five regional offices and a further 20 operations and project centres, UNOPS oversees activities in more than 80 countries.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.
Background Information - Jerusalem

Jerusalem

The UNOPS Jerusalem office opened in 2006 and now has sub-offices in East Jerusalem, Ramallah and Jericho. The portfolio includes infrastructure, procurement, human resources, capacity building, access coordination and security projects for partners and beneficiaries throughout the occupied Palestinian territory.
Background Information - Job-specific

 
UNOPS JMPC is supporting the Canadian government with the implementation of two components of the Sharaka project, a 5-year CIDA-funded program of assistance directed at strengthening the Office of Attorney General/Public Prosecution (OAG/PP) in order to enhance its contribution to the stability, prosperity and democratic development of the West Bank.  The first component is a procurement component, which will satisfy a substantial part of the operational objectives of the project by supplying concrete and tangible support to the PA through (i) retrofitting the new OAG headquarters building; (ii) furnishing and equipping PP district offices; (iii) equipping the OAG/PP offices with IT equipment; (iv) providing videoconferencing facilities for the OAG/PP; and (v) purchasing vehicles for use by the OAG/PP.  The second component is a technical legal assistance component, which will satisfy the structural, knowledge and capacity building objectives of the project by supplying assistance to the OAG/PP in the following areas: (i) supporting the creation of a Planning Unit within the OAG; (ii) strengthening the internal structure, organization, management and operational capacity of the OAG/PP; (iii) creating human rights and gender units; (iv) providing targeted training support; and (v) supporting Canada’s coordinating role for donor and implementing agency activities within the OAG.
 
The Canadian-funded Sharaka Project requires the services of a qualified Officer to provide policy analysis specialized services to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in Ramallah and the Public Prosecution Service (PP) across the Palestinian Authority.  The Officer will work with OAG management to enable it to effectively develop, analyze, co-ordinate and implement policies, programs and strategies necessary to support the institution’s overall priorities and objectives.
 
The Officer will be embedded with the OAG for the duration of the contract and will provide services directly to the Office of the Attorney General and its staff.  Management of the position will be provided by United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in conjunction with the OAG and the Sharaka Project.  UNOPS will be responsible for remuneration and contract related matters.  The Sharaka Project, headed by the Sharaka Field Director, will be the Project Authority and will be responsible for providing overall project-related direction to the Officer in his/her support to the OAG.  The OAG, through the Planning Unit Head, will act as the Technical Authority providing daily supervision and substantive guidance to the Officer on matters of internal OAG management, needs and priorities, and will facilitate the Senior Associate’s integration with the OAG.  In all of his/her dealings, the Officer will be driven by a focus on attaining the strategic objectives of the OAG and will work closely with the heads of OAG divisions and Sharaka team members in order to achieve this.
Functional Responsibilities

The Officer’s core duties will include, but are not limited to, assisting OAG management to:
 
Exercise leadership in identifying policy issues, and in conducting research, consultations and analysis;
Coordinate, supervise and undertake policy-oriented research;
Act as principal liaison between OAG/PP and external collaborators (including An-Najah University’s Faculty of Law) to ensure the production of high quality policy development work that will be of direct relevance to the OAG/PP;
Prepare high quality and innovative options and recommendations and show leadership in the implementation of decisions once taken;
Lead workshops in support of the policy function;
Exercise leadership in developing sound analyses and policy positions with respect to pending and proposed legislation affecting the institution;
Assist in formulating solutions to delivery challenges posed by the OAG/PP’s mandate;
Develop internal guidelines, directives and policies where necessary to support OAG/PP management and ensure consistent policy positions throughout the institution;
Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, as appropriate, to ensure that policy analysis and development is conducted with the benefit of a broad base of data, statistics, information, and the views of stakeholders;
Work with the gender specialist at OAG/PP to ensure that gender equality issues are taken into account in the policy analysis and development function;
Assist other OAG/PP staff and units with research and analytical support;
Conduct analyses of the legal framework governing the OAG/PP in order to formulate a policy stance on the interpretation of the framework;
Propose modifications to the legal framework governing the OAG/PP where appropriate; and
Transfer knowledge and skills on policy analysis and development to OAG/PP staff so as to build the institution’s capacity in this regard.
    

Competencies
Significant skill in proactively identifying, defining and analyzing problems referring to legislation, regulations, policy and program objectives;
Advanced ability to identify options, outline benefits, risks and implications for government and for stakeholder groups;
Significant ability to resolve problems related to sensitive political issues with discretion and creativity;
Excellent ability to relay information, as appropriate, and to collect, analyze and evaluate data for reports and future planning;
Possess tactfulness and the ability to provide professional leadership;
Ability to take into account gender equality considerations in the development and analysis of policy;
Ability to work effectively under conditions of limited or dual supervision, high stress and rapidly changing situations and circumstances;
Strong ability to listen to stakeholder concerns, understand them, and take them into account in the development and analysis of policy;
Strong leadership skills in supervising and coordinating inputs into the development of high quality and relevant policy development work;
Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines;
Strong attention to detail;
Excellent analytical ability, sound judgment, independent and creative thinking;
Ability to use computer software related to an office environment (Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent);
Facilitate any policy activity requirements.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a-Education

Master’s degree in law or public administration, political science, economics, social sciences or related field; Additional years of relevant work experience, preferably in combination with a relevant bachelor’s degree, may substitute for the requirement for a master’s degree

 
b-Work Experience

At least seven (7) years of relevant experience, at least three (3) of which should be specialized experience at an appropriate level of responsibility in policy analysis; research; policy development; and gathering, synthesizing, evaluating and interpreting information from diverse sources;

Other skills:

Experience in demonstrating leadership by coordinating multiple inputs so as to develop high quality and relevant policy analysis work;
Substantial experience in writing a variety of documents, such as briefing materials, reports and correspondence;
Sound knowledge of research methodologies;
Knowledge of Palestinian justice sector;
Excellent ability to work collaboratively with other professionals, both Palestinian and international;
A demonstrable understanding and acceptance of the mission, values, goals and objectives of the Sharaka Project and the OAG/PP.
Previous experience working in the public sector is an asset;
Previous experience working with lawyers or other legal professionals is highly desirable;

c-Languages
Strong written and verbal communication skills in Arabic;
Intermediate written and verbal communication skills in English.
    

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: Local ICA Specialist Level 5
Contract duration: One year with possibility of extension


For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Page s/Individual-Contractor -Agreements-ICAs.aspx

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.
UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below 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.