Background Information - Job-specific
The Israeli – Palestinian conflict remains a protracted and complex conflict. While the only way to bring the conflict to an end is through a negotiated final status agreement, it is essential that progress be made on the ground in a manner that will create a more conducive environment for final status negotiations.
The mandate of the Office of the Quartet is to increase Palestinian economic and institutional development and empowerment, as a support towards achieving a two-state solution. In the event of a resumption of final status negotiations the OQ would support Quartet members in their efforts to realize a successful outcome.
In pursuing its mandate, the OQ plays a unique role in the region, maintaining strong relationships at multiple levels with both the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel. This allows the OQ to facilitate engagement between the parties, encouraging agreement and progress at the political level, while also drawing on its sectoral expertise to support technical-level work. Further, the OQ maintains broad relationships with the international community, including the group of direct donors to the Office. This allows the OQ to coordinate and align the advocacy work of the international community in the sectors in which we work.
The OQ is a fast paced and dynamic office operating in the areas of energy, water, rule of law, movement and trade, and telecoms. The following strategic principles guide the OQ’s work to support the parties while also ensuring alignment with the strategic objectives of the Quartet members and donors to the Office.
Bridging between the parties and providing creative solutions that enable progress on the ground;
Playing a catalytic role in working towards sectoral solutions in partnership with other actors, while taking on direct responsibility for specific elements of those solutions when the Office is well positioned and requested to do so;
Focusing on policies and projects that have a multiplier effect – that is, an outcome that extends beyond the direct output of the policy or project;
Focusing on the implementation of agreements reached and announcements made by the parties to ensure that they are translated as quickly as possible into results that have a positive impact on people’s lives;
Maintaining the vertical depth of our work from the granular, technical level to the strategic and political level while engaging the broad array of actors required to make progress, including the parties, members of the international community and others;
Ensuring complementarity of the OQ’s work with that of other key actors, including those which also play a convening role; Continuing support to Quartet members.
This is an IICA position, however, if a local is the selected candidate, the LICA equivalent will be offered.
Functional Responsibilities
The Energy Analyst is responsible for the deliverables below, following the objective of the assignment and the scope of work. Conduct research, data collection, data analysis and reporting
Identify opportunities for advancing the RE sector and overcoming challenges by developing and maintaining a comprehensive understanding of the Palestinian energy sector, focusing on RE (regional infrastructure, new and existing sites, transmission infrastructure, RE pricing, conferences, etc.)
Produce original analytical work (quantitative and qualitative, including data collection)
Translate technical analysis into policy briefings, reports, newsletters, and sectoral updates. This includes reviewing peer deliverables.
Produce GIS maps, presentations, visualizations, etc. to communicate key insights.
Conduct economic analysis for key initiatives (e.g. project economics, cash flows, progress against payment agreements) and identify linkages to broader macroeconomic conditions.
Contribute to energy team strategies through analytics and stakeholder engagements
Work with Energy Team to monitor and gather data in the sector (and the broader energy sector where required) to support the activities above.
Stakeholder engagement
Identify, map and maintain a comprehensive overview of key stakeholders.
Identity and maintain working level relationships with Palestinian, Israeli, civil society, and international stakeholders to ensure continued cooperation, access to relevant information, coordinated outputs and delivery of the OQ program.
Participate in and support the preparation for discussions with the Palestinian and Israeli Authorities, the International Community, and the Palestinian private sector.
Support in reaching consensus on language and the preparation of draft agreements and communications between Israeli and Palestinian authorities.
Formally document the engagements to maintain alignment and visibility of internal and external stakeholder interactions.
Contribute to cross-sectoral OQ efforts through relationships and engagements with other teams.
Project/Initiatives development and delivery
Coordinate the development of project/initiative objectives, activities, outputs, budget etc. related to OQ Energy Team’s work.
Prepare Gantt charts, work plans, GIS maps, technical drawings and other planning documents.
Collaborate to ensure the implementation of project/initiative as per the objectives & plans.
Adapt project/initiative objectives and direction appropriately in response to changing context.
coordinate procurement processes for consultancies / service providers, including scope development, developing ToRs, evaluation & selection of bidders, contract management and consultant management (facilitating meetings, ensuring acceptable deliverables, etc.).
Coordinate and communicate with relevant partners to ensure high quality study outcomes
Coordinate monitoring & evaluation, as well as closure & handover. Communication, outreach, and knowledge sharing
Prepare a range of written documents such as reports, letters & emails for communications.
Produce status updates for internal and external stakeholders, including presentations, reports, talking points, etc.
Work closely with the team to generate document structure, content, analytics, graphics & illustrations to develop compelling sets of communication materials.
Draft articles or updates for public briefing notes, OQ website and social media
Interpretation and translation support, as required.
Contribute to OQ reports such as the AHLC report, annual report, donor reports, website, etc.
Commit to robust knowledge retention on the energy team (e.g. documentation, filing, etc.) Office coordination and organization
4 years of relevant work experience is the minimum requirement with a Bachelor With a Master degree 2 years of relevant work experience are required : Demonstrates strong knowledge of renewable energy or at least one related field such as energy access, energy economics, oil & gas, energy efficiency, energy finance, hydropower, power systems, grid design, etc.
Excellent communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to both write and present high-quality written documents/presentations in English is required.
Experience in the public sector or non-profit environment is desirable.
Experience and understanding of the local political & economic context is desirable.
Experience in external stakeholder engagement is desirable.
Experience in research, analytics and publications is an asset.
Experience in spatial mapping using relevant tools is an asset.
Experience in working in challenging environments is preferred. Skills and Abilities
Stakeholder engagement: Ability to identify and prioritize key stakeholders; understand and align stakeholder expectations; assess stakeholders’ power, influence and interest; anticipate future problems and address potential concerns throughout the lifetime of the project.
Project management skills: Ability to develop and deliver on activities; ability to plan in a coordinated manner, manage priorities and meet deadlines; management experience (preferable delivery teams); ability to accurately monitor, evaluate and report on project progress; ability to manage and mitigate risks.
Skilled in research and analysis: strong qualitative and analytic skills; keen attention to detail and data accuracy is highly recommended.
Excellent communication skills: strong writing ability, skilled in creating knowledge products such as papers, guidance notes and other pieces directed at multiple audiences is highly recommended.
Strong team player: strong interpersonal skills; ability to consistently is highly recommended demonstrate a professional manner in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally to the organization; team player and flexible as tasks and priorities shift; ability to work independently and in teams in a small office environment. Other: Demonstrated competence with using standard office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) is required.
Language Requirements
Excellent command of written and spoken English.
Working knowledge of Hebrew and Arabic is an advantage. NB: A resume (in addition to the UNOPS online profile) is required as part of the application. In addition, a cover letter describing the applicant’s motivations for working for the Office of the Quartet is also required.
Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: I-ICA Specialist. This is an IICA position, however, if a local is the selected candidate, the LICA equivalent will be offered.
Contract level: ICS9.
Contract duration: One year, with the intention for extension, subject to budget availability and satisfactory performance.
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.
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
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.