Programme Specialist

The Programme Specialist will contribute to the formulation and implementation of UNDP programme strategies and policies, manage economic recovery programmes, develop strategic partnerships, and provide advisory services and knowledge management support in Gaza. The role focuses on supporting recovery, reconstruction, and resilience-building efforts in the Gaza Strip amid severe humanitarian and development crises.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country; and contribute collaborative inputs to the UN Common Country Assessment and Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNCCA and UNSDCF) as well as to the preparation/revision of the Country Programme Document (CPD), Integrated Work Plan (IWP) and other strategic documents
• Contribute to operationalizing UNSDCF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies
• Ensure implementation of relevant programme Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the effectiveness of the PAPP business processes
• Analyze and synthesize proposals in assigned programme areas
• Contribute to design and formulation of programme, translate UNDP priorities into local interventions, and oversee programme implementation with the implementing partners within the assigned programme areas
• Oversee planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the assigned programme areas; and track use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations
• Ensure effective application of results-based management tools and track achievement of strategic results
• Ensure the effective use of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle; and ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and learning on programme impact
• Support trends analysis for future informed and anticipatory programming
• Follow up on audit recommendations and ensure the implementation of management responses
• Prepare and aggregate reports on activities, outputs and outcomes, including donor and corporate reports
• Support to the rollout of new initiatives and programmes including through presentation of the project to PAC; finalize contribution agreements; and determine required revisions
• Develop partnerships with the UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, donors, private sector, and civil society in assigned programme/ thematic areas
• Identify strategic programme areas of cooperation including for joint programming
• Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new projects, and substantively contribute to Country office resource mobilization efforts
• Support development of portfolios and Country office pipeline including through the design of Programme/Project documents, concept notes, proposals, and cross-sectoral coordination in assigned areas to bring resources for projects
• Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals
• Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high-impact advocacy with key partners
• Provide substantive support in the development of policies and institutions to address country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners
• Provide input so that policy advisory contributes to inclusive societal digital transformation and takes digital technology risks and opportunities or futures signals into account
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms
• Organize training for the operations/ projects staff on programme related matters in assigned areas
• Perform other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required. OR A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios and projects in a related thematic area
• Previous experience of working on economic recovery programmes
• Solid knowledge on result-based management and project implementation
• Experience working in conflict or transition context
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), working knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, and experience in the handling of web-based management systems
• Experience from previous UN assignments and/or multilateral and bi-lateral aid organizations would be an asset
• Previous experience on partnership and resource mobilization is an asset
• Experience at the national level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects is an asset
• Proven experience in handling multi-sectoral coordination among professionals and regional teams is desired
• Fluency in English and Arabic is required – both written and oral

Skills

• Management Advisory Services
• Design of Development Projects
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Economic Recovery Livelihood Programmes
• Result-Based Management
• Project Implementation
• Conflict Context Experience
• Transition Context Experience
• MS Word
• Excel
• Spreadsheet Packages
• Database Packages
• Web-based Management Systems
• Partnership Development
• Resource Mobilization
• Inter-sectoral Coordination
• Strategic Partnerships
• Knowledge Management

Languages

English, Arabic