Background
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations. UNDP Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) derives its mandate from United Nations General Assembly Resolution 33/147 of 20 December 1978 to improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people by identifying their social and economic needs and by establishing concrete projects to that end. UNDP/PAPP’s environment and natural resources portfolio focuses on strengthening environmental and water governance, mobilizing environmental financing, improving access to environmental services such as water supply and sanitation, solid waste management, and energy; mainstreaming environment and climate change, and developing the capacities of Palestinian State institutions in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Since October 7th 2023, Gaza's solid waste management capacities have been severely impacted by the war and have deteriorated significantly. The main landfills have been rendered inaccessible, leading to the establishment of new informal and unregulated dumping sites, as well as the accumulation of solid waste in the streets and around Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) shelters and makeshift camps. Moreover, approximately 200 waste collection vehicles, 6,000 containers, multiple medical waste treatment facilities, and about 90 waste management facilities have so far been destroyed. This has further crippled the solid waste management capacities and services in the Gaza Strip, leading to an unprecedented crisis with severe public health and environmental consequences.
In light of the current situation, urgent support is essential to tackle the solid waste crisis in the Gaza Strip. Addressing this issue is a critical part of the ongoing humanitarian response and is necessary for early recovery, allowing internally displaced individuals to return to their homes and rebuild their lives and livelihoods. The restoration of SWM is a vital aspect of UNDP/PAPP's contributions to both the humanitarian response and early recovery planning efforts in the Gaza Strip.
Through the project (Responding to the current Solid Waste Management crisis in Gaza Strip), UNDP/PAPP aims to enhance the operational capacities of the SWM service providers, ensuring more effective waste collection and transfer. It focuses on controlled disposal and proper management of solid waste disposal sites, alongside restoring capabilities for the safe segregation, collection, and treatment of medical waste. Ultimately, these efforts will strengthen the service providers' operational capacities, facilitating the restoration, scaling up and sustainability of SWM services.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of Work
The incumbent will undertake the following function:
1.Ensuring effective project management by maintaining the delivery of appropriate technical, operational, financial and administrative outputs, while tracking the project’s progress through monitoring, evaluation and reporting
Implement and manage the project on a day-to-day basis, coordinate the implementation of the respective activities based on the relevant project document, including supervision and guidance of other project personnel , consultants and experts with a view to achieving project results. Ensure the timely and quality delivery of planned project activities. Develop comprehensive/detailed project work-plans that include all project activities and roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders and set out corresponding milestones. Monitor the progress of implementation of project activities and key event schedules, review the work- plans and set deadlines, and monitor the financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports. Mobilize goods and services to support project activities, including Call for Proposals, drafting TORs and works/product requirements and specifications. Manage and monitor project risks initially identified, submitting information on the new risks and possible mitigating measures to the Project Board for consideration and updating the status of these risks by maintaining a Project Risk Log. Assume responsibilities in line with the office Internal Control Framework and act as a `first authority` for Project transactions. Ensure the adherence of project activities to the existing financial, procurement and administrative processes that are in line with prevailing UNDP rules and regulations and, at the same time, observe the project timelines. Ensure that gender equality is pursued in all project activities and reflected in work plans, budgets, reports, research, analyses and, where relevant, analyzed in detail. Ensure that accessibility for people with disabilities is reflected in all project activities. Consult regularly with other UNDP projects and programs related activities, where synergies are possible.2. Conducting regular field monitoring and ensuring quality assurance of project implementation on the ground
Plan and conduct regular field visits to verify the implementation of activities, assess progress, and identify challenges and opportunities for improvement. Ensure that all field activities are implemented in accordance with technical specifications, safety protocols, and environmental and social safeguards. Develop and maintain checklists and reporting templates to document field observations, implementation status, and any deviations from plans. Provide on-site technical guidance to contractors, service providers, and field staff to support the delivery of high-quality outputs. Prepare concise field visit reports with findings, recommendations, and photos, and share them with the project team and relevant stakeholders for follow-up actions. Support the design and implementation of quality assurance mechanisms, including spot checks, third-party verifications, and user feedback collection. Flag any implementation gaps or non-compliance issues and ensure timely corrective actions are taken in coordination with the project team.3. Coordination and building strong partnerships with the implementing partners and relevant stakeholders, focusing on achievement of the following:
Maintain strong relationships with the implementing partners, line ministries and other relevant partners and donors. Finalize the contractual agreements with implementing partners, contractors and consultants. Maintain regular management and quality assurance of expert inputs and products, as well as among project partners to ensure coherence and complementarity of project activities. Identify opportunities for deepening the cooperation and recommend adequate approaches to dealing with different stakeholders based on information on all relevant stakeholders gathered during projects’ implementation. Maintain regular communication on relevant project issues with the local and international counterparts, consultants and experts and ensure quality and timely delivery of all agreed outputs; Maintain effective linkages with current and potential donors. Engage with groups and communities in project activities to reflect their needs and elements of success to the planned interventions. Communicate project goals and activities clearly to both stakeholders and the wider public.4. Preparation and contribution to finalization and reporting, focusing on achieving the following.
Prepare project progress and ad hoc reports (progress against planned activities, update on risks issues, expenditures…) and ensure timely submission of the reports to the project board and relevant donor(s). The reports developed are expected to be of good quality with proper analysis of the results. contribute in periodical corporate reporting, including Quantum quarterly progress and ROAR. Develop presentations and other materials that are needed to share information on achievements and challenges, Update and file the relevant documentation.5. Knowledge sharing and other relevant responsibilities pertaining to the project implementation and contribution to the office, focusing on achievement of the following.
Ensure compilation and synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices throughout project implementation.
Support the strategic sharing of relevant knowledge and information gathered throughout project implementation phase, in close collaboration with the Communications & Partnerships Specialist. Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Actively commit to learning to advance professional skills and career.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
Under the guidance of the Head of Gaza Sub Office and the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist (Gaza), the incumbent will undertake the assigned functions to ensure full implementation of deliverable in line with project documents and UNDP Rules and regulations, policies and management guidance. She/he will supervise a project implementation team consists of around 6 support personnel on NPSA contracts.
ONLY CURRENT PALESTINIAN NATIONALS AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT IN GAZA STRIP AND WILLING TO WORK AND TRAVEL THROUGHOUT VARIOUS CITIES IN THE STRIP ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION. ALL OTHER APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Competencies
Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Thematic Area Name
Definition
Business Direction
and Strategy
Negotiation and
Influence Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.
Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Partnerships Management Relationship Management Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
Business Management Results-based Management Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
Business Management Resource Management Allocate and use resources in a strategic or tactical way in line with business needs and priorities and principles of accountability and integrity. Business Management Risk Management Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks
Business Management Monitoring & Evaluation Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to making sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Min. Academic Education
Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Engineering, Natural Resources Management, Environment, Project Management or related fields is required. OR A first-level University degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree .Min. years of relevant work experience
Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in managing or serving in a key programmatic role managing Solid waste, environment related or Natural Resources Programmes/Projects.Desired additional skills and competencies
Proven experience in solid waste or natural resources projects project management, including planning, results-based management, financial oversight, and procurement, with demonstrated experience managing projects in crisis contexts. Solid experience with UN, international organizations / local governments, NGOs, and bilateral and multilateral donors organizations, liaising and cooperating with different stakeholders including donors, government, private sector and civil society organizations. Proven track record of in-depth understanding of the Solid waste management and environment landscape in Gaza including challenges faced during times of crisis. Experience in managing or contributing to projects focused on at least two of the following areas: natural resources and Solid waste management. Demonstrated ability to mobilize new types of partnerships and/or expertise that leverage innovative solutions to address persistent and emerging development challenges. Excellent report writing skills, with the ability to present information clearly and concisely.Required Language(s) (at working level)
Fluency English and Arabic, written and spoken is required.Professional Certificate
Project management certification will be an assetEqual opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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