Project Manager

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.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations agency mandated by the General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, with the ultimate goal of providing adequate shelter for all. As part of its global mission, UN-Habitat operates in the Arab region through the Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS), which includes the Special Human Settlements Programme for the Palestinian People (SHSPPP). This programme aims to support the Palestinian people in achieving sustainable urban development, equitable access to basic services, and improved living conditions, particularly for vulnerable communities.

The position focuses on the day-to-day management of the ongoing project activities, development of new projects and programmes, as well as the provision of technical assistance and policy advice to national and local stakeholders. These activities are carried out in alignment with UN-Habitat’s mandate, strategic objectives, and thematic focus areas, including housing, urban resilience, land governance, and inclusive urban planning. Special attention is given to supporting communities in Area C, where development is particularly constrained due to political, administrative, and legal barriers. UN-Habitat works to enable planning, infrastructure development, and land settlement in Area C through partnerships with relevant Palestinian authorities, international donors, and civil society organizations, aiming to safeguard the rights of Palestinian communities and to enhance the spatial and socio-economic integration of marginalized populations

Summary of key results:

Under the direct supervision of the Senior National Urban Program Officer, the incumbent’s responsibilities will be as follows:

1. Project/Programme Implementation: Ensure timely implementation of Project/Programme activities focusing on the achievement of the following results: - Provide technical assistance and support to the governmental counterparts (MoLG, PLA, LWSC, etc), project partners, and key stakeholders to ensure efficient delivery and alignment with project objectives.- Facilitate the participation of Habitat agenda partners in developing strategic policy

interventions addressing key land and planning challenges. - Build institutional capacity for improved performance through tailored training, provision of tools, and implementation of practical mechanisms to enhance performance and ensure sustainability of interventions.

- Monitor the financial performance of the projects and advise on necessary corrective measures to ensure alignment with planned budgets and objectives.

- Ensure overall quality, consistency, and coherence of the respective programme implementation, based on results achieved and strategic targets.

- Draw lessons learned and best practices and ensure proper knowledge management and dissemination with regards to urban planning issues in oPt.

2. Project/ Programme Management: Ensure effective management and timely execution of

Project/Programme focusing on the achievement of the following results:

- Provide management support through delivering technical guidance and ensuring quality assurance and cost efficiency throughout the project implementation.

- Coordinate comprehensive workplans and maintain close liaison with all implementing partners to ensure high quality and timely implementation of Agreements of Cooperation.

- Ensure effective and efficient management of financial and administrative issues related to project implementation, including the preparation of necessary documentation and reports in compliance with internal procedures and donor requirements.

- Prepare project procurement plans and ensure timely procurement of goods and services, and initiate recruitment processes for all required project personnel. - Manage and supervise the performance of assigned staff and provide technical guidance and support when needed to maintain high standards of implementation.

- Conduct periodic field visits to monitor progress of all project activities as per the project’s logframe.

- Assume full accountability for the effective management of the project and the implementation of its activities.

- Promote UN-Habitat’s standards, methodologies and tools and strengthen information sharing with partners and stakeholders.

3. Project/Programme Development: Support the formulation and advancement of new Projects/Programmes focusing on the following results:

- Provide technical input into the development and revision of UN-Habitat Programme

Document for the occupied Palestinian territory.

- Identify key areas for interventions in the human settlements sector within the framework of the UN- Habitat New Urban Agenda, UN-Habitat Country Programme Document, Palestinian

National Development Plan, UNSDCF and relevant sectoral assessments, and in line with the incumbent’s technical specialization.

- Participate in the development and review of new project documents.

- Negotiate with multi-lateral/bilateral partners and donors to mobilize resources and promote collaborative and joint initiatives.

4. Advisory services:

-Provide expert-level input on urban planning to ensure project activities are aligned with UN-Habitat’s global standards and the principles of sustainable urban development.

-Ensure all advisory support reflects UN-Habitat’s normative frameworks, including the New Urban Agenda and SDG 11, with a focus on inclusive, participatory, and climate-resilient planning.

-Support planning and development interventions in Area C, addressing spatial, legal, and institutional challenges through integrated and contextualized planning strategies.

-Collaborate with national government, local authorities, and civil society organizations to promote local ownership, institutional collaboration, and strengthen technical capacities.

-Contribute to the preparation of spatial development frameworks, urban policy documents, technical guidelines, and capacity-building materials tailored to the Palestinian context.

-Perform other related tasks as required to ensure effective coordination, quality assurance, and successful implementation of UN-Habitat’s urban planning and development initiatives

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master degree or equivalent) in spatial planning, architecture, urban management, environmental engineering or other relevant social sciences field (development studies, international relations, urban studies).

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant field experience in the implementation of urban development projects.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and oral English and Arabic is required

Professionalism: Understanding and knowledge of urban planning issues and related participatory approaches, especially in the Palestinian context (incl. legal and institutional frameworks, capacity development, land management/administration, etc.). Familiarity with UN-Habitat's mandate, approaches and strategies in the areas of urban planning and design, urban governance, land, housing and improvement of access to basic services. Having strong analytical skills and abilities to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. In addition, having the ability to communicate complex concepts in an understandable manner, and to build local, national and international partnerships. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and Organizing: Proven ability to plan, coordinate and monitor own work; ability to work under pressure and use time efficiently; identifies priority activities and assignments and adjusts priorities as required; proven organization skills and ability to manage a heavy workload efficiently and within set deadlines.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas, think “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches Contract type, level and duration

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.

We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.

For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.