Project Manager

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization in fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. 

UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) derives its mandate from United Nations General Assembly Resolution 33/147 of 20 December 1978. Called upon by United Nations Member States in that year, UNDP was requested “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’s Palestinian Programmatic Framework (PPF) 2023-2025 sets out a vision of “a world in which all Palestinians can enjoy a dignified life and fulfil their own vision of a unified, peaceful and free society”.  The PPF is centered around the concept of “Transformative Resilience” and its three elements: a cohesive Palestinian identity, self-reliance, and ownership and leadership.

Over the next three years, UNDP/PAPP will build on its experiences and achievements to make critical contributions to the priorities defined by the Palestinian national development plans and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), through interventions in three programmatic priority areas:  i) democratic governance and quality services; ii) inclusive economic opportunities; iii) sustainable natural resources management.

UNDP/PAPP is implementing Early Recovery and Reconstruction interventions covering three main activities of:  a. removing and transferring the rubble resulting from the last war in Gaza in October 2023, b. preparation of the crushing sites in the proposed locations where the received rubble quantities will be crushed, c. Reuse of crushed rubble for different purposes including paving agricultural roads, rehabilitating damaged internal municipal roads, and as a platform under the proposed locations of the prefabricated units to be distributed and installed. The project aims to improve the conditions of the affected communities by preparing for the reconstruction process on the one hand while facilitating access, opening affected roads, and removing hazards affecting the safety of people. In the meantime, the interventions serve to improve the people’s resilience in the Gaza Strip within the induced challenges driven by siege and hostilities; maintaining all measures to preserve the environment.

The interventions involve risks related to explosive remnants of war (ERW) which requires close coordination with UNMAS and the local authorities. Therefore, the Project Manager will follow up the coordination with UNMAS and ensure relevant recommendations are adhered to. 

Description of Responsibilities:

• 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will be undertaking the following functions:

Ensuring effective project management by maintaining the delivery of appropriate technical, operational, financial and administrative outputs, while tracking the project’s progress through monitoring, and evaluation:

• 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, as needed, supervision and    guidance of other project staff, 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 persons with disabilities is reflected in all project activities.
• Consult regularly with other UNDP projects and programs on related activities, where synergies are possible.

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, including the Ministry of Health, in-line ministries and Authorities, NGOs, and other stakeholders relevant to the project.
• Finalize the contractual agreements with implementing partners.
• Maintain regular coordination 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 recommending 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 ensuring 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.

Preparation and finalization of the reporting, focusing on the achievement of 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 developed reports are expected to be of good quality with proper analysis of   the results.
• Preparation and finalization of the reporting as well as the regular presentations to the donor.
• Assist in periodical corporate reporting, including Quantum quarterly progress and ROAR.
• Develop presentations and other materials that are needed to share information on achievements, challenges, etc.
• Update and file the relevant documentation.

Knowledge sharing and other relevant responsibilities pertaining to the project implementation and contribution to the office’s overall programmatic initiatives, focusing on the 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 the project implementation phase, in close collaboration with the Communications Analyst.
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Actively commit to learning for advancing professional skills and career.

Required Skills and Experience

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.

Min. Education requirements

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Management, Project Management, Social Sciences, Business  Administration, Public Administration or related field OR
• First university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned areas.
• Min. years of relevant work experience
• Up to 2 years of relevant experience in managing development projects, including programmatic, financial, human resources, as well as quality management.

Required skills

• Proven experience in dealing with local governments, Ministries, NGOs including  bilateral and multilateral donors.
• Experience in project management (including results-based  management, finance, HR, and procurement).
• Excellent use of project management software and Microsoft   applications.
• Professional experience in report writing.
• Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNDP procedures would be an asset.
• Previous experience with international (public or private sector)           organizations is desirable.
• Project management certification is an asset.
• Experience working with NGO/INGOs on infrastructure projects.
• Knowledge and/or experience in Rubble Removal is an asset.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in both English and Arabic languages is required.

Source: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/job/20034