Training and Professional Development Officer

Vacancy code: VA/2012/B5106/196
Position title: Training and Professional Development Officer
Department/office: EMO, Jerusalem
Duty station: Ramallah, occupied Palestinian territory
Application period: 29-Mar-2012 to 12-Apr-2012


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


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 Info - BU 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.
 
UNOPS Jerusalem office (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 training and professional development support 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 administer, organize, develop, and assess the professional development and training required to improve staff qualifications, knowledge and skills, including making the necessary recommendations and developing the tools necessary to achieve these goals.

The Officer will be embedded with the OAG for the duration of the contract and will provide services directly to 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 specific 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 Officer’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:
 
-Develop an institutional approach to training;
-Assist in identifying and quantifying training needs and developing training strategies for OAG/PP staff;
-Manage the logistics associated with planning, developing and scheduling all trainings for prosecutors and administrative staff;
-Monitor participation of prosecutorial and administrative staff in training activities, including evaluation process, determining participation of individual prosecutors and administrative staff in past training activities, expressions of interest in particular training initiatives and attendance in training sessions.
-Assist in developing the individualized learning plans (ILPs) for all prosecutorial and administrative staff; and
-Monitor developments in the law, advances in technologies, and best practices related to the prosecutorial function to ensure a responsive approach to professional development.

Competencies

-Ability to relay information, as appropriate, and to collect, analyze and evaluate data for reports and future planning;
-Ability to set priorities and meet deadlines;
-Possess tactfulness and the ability to provide professional leadership;
-Ability to work effectively under conditions of limited or dual supervision, high stress and rapidly changing situations and circumstances;
-Ability and skill to effectively plan, conduct and evaluate training activities;
-Ability to use computer software related to an office environment (Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent);
-Ability to work collaboratively with other human resources, training or professional development 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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

-Master’s degree in law, education, human resources or any other 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.

Work Experience
-At least three (3) years specialized experience, at an appropriate level of responsibility, in the design, delivery and evaluation of training and/or professional development programs;
-Ability to organize training to adult learners is a distinct advantage;
-Previous experience advancing the professional development of public sector employees is an asset;
-Previous experience working with lawyers or other legal professionals, preferred;
-Knowledge of Palestinian justice sector, in particular prosecutions is an asset.

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

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