Background and Objective of the AssignmentUN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women’s rights at the centre of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates the United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.UN Women Country Office in the Occupied Palestine Territory (PALCO) operates in a unique environment, with a Country Office based in East Jerusalem, and two sub-offices in Ramallah (West Bank) and Gaza (Gaza Strip), and two joint programme offices. UN Women’s work in the OPT is guided by the UN frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2023-25) and the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). Following the war in Gaza in October 2023, UN Women developed a Humanitarian Response Plan to inform its operations, anchored in the OPT Flash Appeal (2024).UN Women in Palestine is a member of the HCT, UNCT, SMT and co-chairs the Gender in Humanitarian Actions (GIHA) Working Group, the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Steering Committee and is an active member of the Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) working group. UN Women, through CERF funding, is also leading the establishment of an inter-agency Community Feedback Mechanism, in collaboration with AAP.In September 2024, PALCO was approved as a PC1 actor allowing its staff and operational presence in Gaza. PALCO is scaling up its operational presence in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. In light of the proposed current 3-phased ceasefire in Gaza, and rising tensions in the West Bank, PALCO is expanding its operational footprint in the oPt, with a particular focus on ensuring the centrality of women’s leadership and participation across response and recovery of Gaza and in the West Bank.Objective of the AssignmentUnder the overall guidance of the Special Representative, reporting to the Deputy Representative, and working closely with the head of Gaza sub-office, the Technical Expert, WPS will provide strategic and technical substantive inputs to strengthen WPS programmes, anchored in a whole of Palestine approach. Some of the thematic areas of focus include, but are not limited to, inclusive security and justice, mediation, peacebuilding, social cohesion and reconciliation, and safeguarding and expanding the civic space for WLOs and WHRDs to advance PALCO’s WPS portfolio.The Technical Expert, WPS will work in close collaboration with the PALCO programme and operations teams, UN Women, Regional Office and HQ personnel, local authorities, other UN Agencies, INGOs, and Women Led Organizations (WLOs) ensuring successful UN Women/WPS Programme development and implementation.Description of Responsibilities1. Contribute to the coordinating and advancing the WPS portfolioLead and contribute to the design and formulation of programmes/project proposals and initiatives, in coordination with partners (WLOs, UN partners, and other key stakeholders).Identify strategic and innovative entry points to strengthen, scale up, and advance WPS programming in Palestine.Draft inputs to country strategy documents, briefs, strategic papers, policy dialogues, and other documents related to WPS in Palestine.Contribute to the technical implementation of the programme/project; ensure synergies with other teams.Provide guidance to personnel and partners on Results Based Management tools and performance indicators.Provide strategic advice to senior management to inform policy and programme development in the advance of WPS mandate in the country.2. Provide technical assistance and capacity development for programme partners.Review the submission of implementing partner narrative reports, providing internal technical feedback and guidance.Develop and implement technical tools and initiatives.Provide substantive technical support to partners regarding programme planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.Identify capacity building needs of partners and contribute to the coordination of technical assistance, mentoring, training, and capacity development initiatives.3. Strengthen and support in developing resource mobilization strategies.Provide guidance for the development of partnerships and resource mobilization strategies.Contribute to the development of relevant documentation on donors and potential opportunities for resource mobilization.Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for cost-sharing.Establish and strengthen relationships with national partners, especially women civil society representatives to support the implementation and expansion of the WPS programme/portfolio.Lead, support, and contribute to scheduling and participating in regular WPS coordination mechanisms, events, and workshops and provide WPS strategic and technical inputs to interagency initiatives and policy frameworks.4. Contribute to strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement to advance WPS programming.Establish and strengthen relationships with national partners, especially women civil society representatives to support the implementation and expansion of the WPS programme/portfolio, including and not limited to areas of social cohesion, conflict analysis, mediation, inclusive security, identifying opportunities for women to meaningfully participate in political processes, including ceasefire discussions.Actively participate in WPS Community of Practice through consistent engagement with UN Women WPS Regional Focal Points Network, providing inputs as requested. Assist WPS Programme to support the participation of UN Women national partners in regional and global WPS forums, providing substantive input to the design and implementation of topical Side Events.Contribute to effective communication channels and ensure that stakeholders (civil society, humanitarian and development partners, bilateral and multilateral donors, private sector, civil society, UN agencies, and others) have a consistent WPS Programme counterpart.Maintain collaboration and coordination with other UN partners to ensure programmatic integration.5. Contribute to WPS programme advocacy, knowledge-building, and communication efforts.Identify programming, advocacy, and communications opportunities and entry points for UN Women and advise the WPS Programme and UN Women Country Office on policies, programmes, and strategies to adequately respond to localized challenges and needs regarding gender equality and women’s empowerment.Conduct targeted and cutting-edge research on WPS issues in oPt to identify programming and policy advancement. Prepare case studies, good practices, and other knowledge products, anchored in amplifying voices of Palestinian women and WLOs for regular publication and amplifying of voices of Palestinian women with Member States/international community.Contribute to the development of knowledge management strategies, products, and methodologies on UN Women/WPS Programme interventions.QualificationsEducation:Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, human rights, gender/women's studies, international development, or a related field is required.A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.A project/programme management certification would be an added advantage.Experience:At least 7 years of progressively responsible work experience at the international level in complex conflict/post-conflict settings in design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development programmes.Demonstrated technical experience in WPS.Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies, WLOs, and/or donors is an asset.Experience working in the UN System is an asset.Experience in leading/managing a team is an asset.Experience working within the UN system, especially in Palestine or other crisis contexts, is highly desirable.Demonstrated ability to conduct research, policy papers, technical guidance, and briefs related to gender equality and humanitarian action.This position is open for Norwegian nationals only.CompetenciesCore Value/Guiding Principles:IntegrityProfessionalismRespect for DiversityCore Competencies:Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender IssuesAccountabilityCreative Problem SolvingEffective CommunicationInclusive CollaborationStakeholder EngagementLeading by ExampleFunctional competenciesSound knowledge of gender and women’s human rights’ national and international frameworks and policies.Strong dialogue and communication skills.Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships with clients, demonstrating understanding of client’s perspective; anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly.Excellent organization and planning skills and high attention to detail.Ability to meet deadlines and respond positively to feedback.Ability to complete multiple tasks by establishing priorities.Security/location and R&RUN Women security protocols are fully aligned with the UNDSS Security Risk Management (SRM) measures. The office and housing locations in Gaza, for all internationals deployed across the UN system, are coordinated with the other UN entities and are located at the UNDSS approved location. Currently, the office and the guest houses are in Deir el Balah (at the center of the Gaza strip) which is designated as a humanitarian zone. Any travel inside Gaza is with armored convoys and with PPE. There are specific security trainings mandatory for all personnel deployed to Gaza. UN Women has dedicated security personnel (international), based in Gaza.The designated R&R destination for Gaza is Amman, Jordan, with a frequency of every 4 weeks. The R&R period consists of a maximum of five consecutive calendar days not charged to annual leave (AL), in addition to 2 travel days (one for each direction). A R&R lumpsum amount of $362 will be provided for each R&R travel which covers terminal expenses, exit fees, and Jordanian visa. Gaza is currently eligible for ‘danger pay’ allowance which is paid at a monthly rate of $1,698 for days present at the duty station. It’s currently approved by the ICSC until 31 March 2025.
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