occupied Palestinian territory: National Project Officer (Gender)

I. Position Information

• Contract type and Grade: Service Contract, SB5
• Duration: 9 months (Renewable based on performance and funds)
• Supervisors: Programme Coordinator in the UNODC Programme Office in the State of Palestine

II. Organizational Context

Under the overall guidance of UNODC Regional Representative for Middle East and North Africa, and the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator, at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Programme Office in the State of Palestine in East Jerusalem, as first reporting officer and the Head of the Programme Coordination and Analysis Unit in the Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA), as second reporting officer, the National Project Officer will act as the gender focal point under the project ‘Forensic Human Resource and Governance Development Assistance for the Palestinian Authority’, and will provide programming, coordination and capacity building expertise with regard to the implementation and further development relating to gender issues.

External contacts: UNODC staff at various levels, staff of other entities of the UN system in East Jerusalem, the State of Palestine and in the region, victims of gender based violence, government officials, universities, forensic authorities, representatives of donor countries and national and international institutions (IGOs, NGOs), and representatives of the international forensic community.

III. Purpose of the assignment

1. Summary of the key functions:

The National Project Officer will perform his/her duties under the general guidance of the UNODC Regional Representative for Middle East and North Africa and immediate supervision of the Programme Coordinator. He/she will undertake the following tasks and duties:

· Collect and compile relevant background data and information about gender aspects of the project and assist in compiling relevant sensitization and training material;

· Closely liaise with consultants and mentors under the project and ensure that project activities take into account gender issues, in particular as they relate to sexual and gender-based violence; identify problems and issues with regard to gender aspects to be addressed and initiate corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties and ensure follow-up actions;

· Support the preparation, finalization, adoption, and implementation of policies/strategies related to gender aspects of the project;

· Act as focal point for, and ensuring functioning of, new clinical forensic medicine services established under the project.

· Promote and strengthen collaborative initiatives between UNODC and other UN agencies, NGO’s and donors with regard to programming;

· Coordinate and liaise regularly on project activities related to gender issues with ROMENA, UNODC HQ in Vienna, designated project focal points and other senior authorities;

· Develop, maintain, and intensify contacts with government institutions and authorities, organizations, donors and resource persons regarding gender related activities of the project;

· Upon request of the Programme Coordinator, participate and represent UNODC in meetings of the aid community, UN inter-agency meetings, seminars and workshops when these relate to gender aspects of the office;

· Organize and conduct seminars, workshops and training activities on gender aspects of forensic medicine and science and on sexual and gender-based violence,

· Provide continuous guidance on gender and related issues;

· Assist with the implementation of appropriate victim-centre reporting, examination, and operational protocols for victims of SGBV;

· Attend meetings as requested by the National Progject Manager or Programme Coordinator, in particular when these relate to gender issues, assist in drafting the minutes of meetings and give adequate follow-up as requested;

· Ensure appropriate nominations and arrangements for trainings, study tours, fellowships, meetings and conferences;

· Provide inputs for and/or lead consultations on gender issues with relevant national and international stakeholders, and UNODC HQ sections and units (namely Justice Section and the Regional Desk) on an ongoing basis;

· Assist in maintaining up-to-date records and status of project progress and contribute to the preparation of monthly, semi-annual and annual reports of the project activities, especially as these relate to gender aspects;

· Facilitate the final external independent evaluation missions of the project elements relating to gender;

· Facilitate the terminal review of the project elements relating to gender. Support the National Project Manager in the elaboration of detailed work plans and accompanying budgets and budget revisions for all project activities relating to gender;

· Perform any other duties as required by the project within the scope of his/her substantive qualifications.

IV. Impact of Results

· Efficient inclusion of gender aspects in project implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation;

· Effective and timely liaison with colleagues and concerned parties internally and externally;

· Contribution to efficient project implementation, coordination and monitoring;

Efficient use of resources.

V. Competencies and Critical Success Factors

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the mandates and work of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues; shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Communication: Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively, including ability to prepare reports and conduct presentations by clearly formulating positions on issues.

• 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; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance.

• Planning& Organizing: Ability to establish priorities and to plan, manage and monitor work/project plans, prioritize competing demands and work to tight 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; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve projects 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; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

• Client Orientation: Ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients and to gain their trust and respect. Demonstrated tact in assisting governments in identifying shortfalls in forensic services and addressing them.

• Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

• Technological Awareness: Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, graphics software and spreadsheets.

VI. Recruitment Qualifications

* Education and Experience:

· Master’s degree in Social Science, Gender Studies, Public Health, or a related field is required.

· At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in gender-based violence prevention or a related field is required. Experience relating to clinical forensic medicine an asset;

· Experience and knowledge of the Palestinian cultural and political context, especially in relation to gender/gender-based violence issues is required;

· Organizational ability including experience in project management is required;

· Experience in international technical cooperation, project management and implementation is required.

· Work experience with the United Nations or similar international organisations is desirable.

Work experience with the Umoja financial management system is desirable.

* Other desirable skills:

· Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages; experience in handling web-based management systems.

· Driver’s License required.

· He/she should have initiative and sound judgment.

Strong diplomatic skills are desirable;

* Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and oral English and Arabic languages is required, including good drafting ability, is essential.

Please apply online through; http://jobs.undp.ps/vacancy/dspv.cfm?P=sDNXGC8keemewLtDU8cuMsl0E5OCLsa5ff0AVPtNEag%3D