Background Information - Jerusalem
Jerusalem Office โ UNOPS Project Management and Infrastructure Centre of Excellence
UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partnersโ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.
Working in some of the worldโs most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partnersโ expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.
A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.
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.
Background Information - Job-specific
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is undertaking the current recruitment on behalf of UNEP. UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.
The Project Manager is responsible for delivering a UNEP advisory project to assist Palestinian entities and regional partners /neighbours in promoting environmental protection and adaptation to climate change, including through nature-based solutions, leading to enhanced human and ecosystem health and climate resilience. The Project Manager will deliver such advice both directly to Palestinian and international stakeholders, and via advisory support on environmental issues to the Office of the UN Special Coordinator to the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO).
Under the overall management of the UNEP Senior Programme Manager, Environmental Security (P5), with a second reporting line to the Chief of Coordination Unit and Head of Resident Coordinatorโs Office, UNSCO (P5), the Project Manager will lead the generation and dissemination of science-based, conflict-sensitive analysis of environmental and climate-related risks and opportunities relevant to Palestine. The Project Manager will work with all relevant Palestinian, international and regional stakeholders to translate science-based policy advice into actionable plans and programmes โ including via clear communication of scientific analysis and its relevance to policies and practices; convening stakeholders to build consensus around environmental policies and plans; and sustained policy support to relevant Palestinian institutions. The Project Manager will be part of a UNEP team working globally to enhance environmental and climate security.
Project Information: The Project will run for a period of three years, starting in May 2024. The duty station will be Jerusalem, with regular travel within the occupied Palestinian territory and occasional travel to other locations in the region.
Context: The Project Manager will be part of UNEPโs Disasters and Conflicts Branch, Ecosystems Division. The substantive and management aspects of the Project will be led by UNEP Senior Programme Manager, Environmental Security, who leads UNEPโs work on environmental security in the Middle East, North Africa and Mediterranean Basin. The Senior Programme Manager is based in Athens, Greece with regular travel to the Middle East region, including Palestine.
The Project Manager will be based in Jerusalem [or other duty station], and will be co-located with the Resident Coordinatorโs Office in the Office of the UN Special Coordinator to the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO). The Head of Coordination, RCO, UNSCO will serve as Second Reporting Officer and will ensure alignment between the Project Managerโs advisory work and that of the broader UN system. UNSCO has been present in Jerusalem/Gaza since 1994.
UNOPS will be responsible for administration of the human resources aspects of the Project.
Functional Responsibilities
Project Delivery and Performance:
The Project Managerโs role will be advisory. She/he will be expected to perform the following duties throughout the duration of the project:
Design, commission and supervise the delivery of science-based analyses of environmental risks and potential solutions relevant to the situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip;
Deliver in-person briefings and expert written analyses to Palestinian entities, Israeli entities (as required and appropriate); regional and international partners, using appropriately tailored communications methods;
Based on consultations and on request from relevant Palestinian, regional and international stakeholders, support and co-design detailed environmental plans and policy proposals;
Convene meetings, develop cooperative relationships and networks to help build consensus around science-based environmental policy and governance measures;
Work with all relevant partners to promote mobilization and implementation of science-based environmental policies towards protection and restoration of the Palestinian environment and critical ecosystems.
Performance of these tasks will be supported and evaluated by the UNEP Senior Programme Manager, Environmental Security.
Procedures
The Project Manager will report to the UNEP Senior Programme Manager, and coordinate work closely and regularly with the RCO (second reporting line). The Project Manager will respond to requests for environmental advice from the UN Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator.
The Project Manager will participate in meetings (in-person where possible, and online) with Palestinian, Israeli and international interlocutors, officials of UNSCO and UNEP, and participate in meetings of the UN Country Team as appropriate.
The Project Manager will work with UNEP Senior Programme Manager and, where relevant, other UNEP environmental specialists to identify appropriate research partners.
Monitoring and reporting
The Project Manager will also be responsible for reporting to the donor (European Commission โ EU Delegation, Jerusalem) as per the requirements of the donor.
An independent evaluation (to be undertaken by an expert consultant) is planned within the project.
Stakeholder engagement
The Project Manager will be working in a conflict-affected context. The Project Manager will need to engage with a range of national and international stakeholders, exhibiting sensitivity to and understanding of the political and institutional context. The Project Manager will work in coordination and concert with other UN entities and international partners, in line with UNEP global mandates.
Quality assurance
The Project Manager and her/his supervisor will maintain regular contact with UNEP environmental subject-matter experts, which will ensure that environmental advisory services are based on UNEPโs global expertise. The Project Manager will work closely with UNSCO to ensure alignment with UN priorities (including humanitarian, development, peace and security dimensions).
Knowledge management and innovation
The Project Manager will be expected to manage and disseminate knowledge relating to the environment in the specific context in which she/he is working. Knowledge products (including research) will be delivered during the course of the project, and sound communication and dissemination of these products will be a critical part of the Project Manager role. She/he will also be expected to deliver innovative solutions where relevant.
Personnel management
No sustained management of personnel will be required of the Project manager. She/he will need to manage the delivery of research linked to the project
IV. Impact of ResultsSenior Project Manager directly impacts on achievement of project results by adhering to project management methods and strategies, reducing risks and improving success rates. In the current context, the Project Managerโs sustained, high quality advisory support contributes to delivering the project Outcomes, namely that Palestinian โnational and transboundary environmental policy decisions and programme designs are better informed by science-based data, analysis and expert recommendationsโ and that โEffective action to address local and transboundary environmental and climate-related issues, including on transboundary dimensions, is increased.โ These Outcomes in turn contribute to achieving the desired Impact: โPalestinian entities and regional partners /neighbours promote environmental protection and adaptation to climate change, including through nature-based solutions, leading to enhanced human and ecosystem health and climate resilience.โ
Education/Experience/Language requirementsEducation:
Advanced university degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent) preferably in environmental affairs, international affairs, social sciences, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in environmental affairs, political-economy analysis, international affairs, development studies or related area.
Experience of work in an insecure/conflict-affected context and with UN and international partners is desirable.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
CompetenciesDevelops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: Staff Contract level: P4
Contract duration: 3 years
For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.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.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
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. 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.