Area Coordinator – Gaza Emergency Response Project

Volunteering Teaching & Training

Overview

Support the implementation and coordination of humanitarian projects in Gaza.

You have:

• At least 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Public Health, Education, Humanitarian Action, International Development, or another relevant field
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in project implementation, field monitoring, coordination, stakeholder engagement, and programme management in humanitarian, early recovery, resilience, development, or community-based interventions
• Experience working with UN agencies, international NGOs, national NGOs, or donor-funded projects is highly desirable
• Experience in the implementation and monitoring of multi-sector programmes, including education, health, WASH, protection, MHPSS, shelter, livelihoods, social cohesion, disability inclusion, or community resilience
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; culturally and socially sensitive
• Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders
• Strong analytical, coordination, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including report writing, drafting, and presentation skills

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP works in over 170 countries and territories, supporting governments and communities in addressing complex development and humanitarian challenges while promoting resilience, recovery, and sustainable development. The UN Volunteer will be assigned to the Gaza Office of UNDP's Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP). Established through a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly in 1978, UNDP/PAPP supports the Palestinian people through integrated programmes that strengthen resilience, restore essential services, promote social cohesion, and advance sustainable development. Working closely with Palestinian institutions, civil society organizations, local communities, humanitarian actors, and development partners, UNDP contributes to addressing immediate humanitarian needs while laying the foundations for longer-term recovery and resilience. The Area Coordinator will support the implementation, monitoring, and coordination of a portfolio of humanitarian and early recovery projects funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and implemented through Italian NGOs and local partners across the Gaza Strip. These projects contribute to UNDP's broader Early Recovery and Resilience Programme and support integrated interventions in areas affected by conflict, displacement, and service disruptions. The portfolio focuses on four complementary outcome areas: Outcome 1.1: Improved access to safe, dignified, and gender-responsive transitional shelter for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Outcome 1.2: Restored and improved access to essential basic and social services, including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), education, health, rehabilitation, and community-based services. Outcome 1.3: Enhanced food security, livelihoods, and economic resilience through emergency livelihood support, income-generation opportunities, and community recovery initiatives. Outcome 1.4: Strengthened protection, psychosocial well-being, inclusion, and social cohesion through community-based protection services, psychosocial support, disability inclusion, child protection, and social cohesion interventions. The Area Coordinator will be responsible for supporting field-level implementation, monitoring project progress, ensuring effective coordination with implementing partners and stakeholders, conducting regular site visits, supporting quality assurance processes, documenting results and challenges, and contributing to accountability, reporting, and knowledge management across the assigned geographical area. The position plays a critical role in ensuring that project interventions are effectively delivered, meet quality standards, and achieve their intended results for conflict-affected communities throughout the Gaza Strip.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Project Manager in the Gaza Strip or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Area Coordinator will: Programme Implementation and Monitoring

• Monitor and support the implementation of project activities within the assigned geographical area, ensuring progress against approved work plans, targets, and timelines. • Conduct regular field visits to project locations, service delivery points, beneficiary communities, and partner implementation sites. • Follow up on the implementation of activities related to education, health, WASH, shelter, protection, MHPSS, social cohesion, disability inclusion, livelihoods, and community resilience. • Verify that activities are implemented in accordance with approved project documents, workplans, budgets, and donor requirements. • Identify implementation challenges, bottlenecks, risks, and delays, and propose practical solutions and corrective measures. • Monitor beneficiary access to services and ensure interventions are reaching intended target groups and vulnerable populations. • Support the timely delivery of project outputs and ensure effective coordination among implementing partners operating within the assigned area.

Coordination with Implementing Partners • Serve as the primary field focal point for implementing partners within the assigned area. • Maintain regular communication with partner organizations to monitor implementation progress and address operational issues. • Follow up on partner work plans, deliverables, and agreed milestones. • Participate in coordination meetings with implementing partners and support follow-up on action points. • Facilitate coordination among partners implementing complementary interventions within the same communities. • Ensure effective information sharing between UNDP, implementing partners, local authorities, and community stakeholders.

Quality Assurance and Oversight • Monitor the quality of project implementation and verify compliance with approved standards, sector guidelines, and humanitarian principles. • Conduct regular site inspections and spot checks to assess the quality and effectiveness of project activities. • Ensure that education, health, WASH, protection, MHPSS, and livelihood interventions are delivered according to approved technical standards and methodologies. • Verify that beneficiary selection and targeting processes are transparent, fair, and aligned with approved vulnerability criteria. • Monitor the quality of services provided by implementing partners, consultants, facilitators, and service providers. • Ensure that referral mechanisms and case management systems are functioning effectively where applicable.

Protection, Inclusion, and Safeguarding • Ensure that protection principles, gender equality, disability inclusion, accountability, and safeguarding measures are integrated into all project activities. • Monitor compliance with Child Protection, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Gender-Based Violence (GBV) risk mitigation, and safeguarding standards. • Promote equitable access to services for women, children, persons with disabilities, older persons, and other vulnerable groups. • Report any safeguarding concerns, protection incidents, or risks through established reporting channels. • Ensure that project activities are implemented in safe, accessible, and inclusive environments.

Community Engagement and Accountability • Maintain regular communication with beneficiaries, community leaders, committees, local organizations, and community representatives. • Support community outreach and awareness activities to enhance participation and engagement. • Monitor the effectiveness of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) mechanisms, including feedback and complaints systems. • Ensure community feedback is documented, analyzed, and communicated to project management and implementing partners. • Promote transparency and community ownership throughout the implementation process.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Documentation • Collect, verify, and consolidate field-level implementation data and progress updates. • Prepare field monitoring reports, site visit reports, meeting minutes, and other required documentation. • Support the preparation of weekly, monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc progress reports. • Document project achievements, lessons learned, challenges, risks, success stories, and best practices. • Assist the project team in collecting data and evidence required for donor reporting, monitoring, evaluations, and audits. • Maintain proper filing and documentation of project records and monitoring reports.

Stakeholder Liaison and Representation • Liaise with relevant local authorities, municipalities, service providers, community committees, humanitarian actors, and sector coordination mechanisms. • Support coordination with Education, Protection, Health, WASH, Shelter, Food Security, and other relevant stakeholders. • Facilitate monitoring missions, donor visits, assessments, and field visits organized by UNDP and partners. • Assist in organizing workshops, consultations, community meetings, and stakeholder engagement events.

Risk Management and Compliance • Monitor operational, programmatic, and contextual risks that may affect project implementation. • Report emerging risks, access constraints, security concerns, and implementation challenges in a timely manner. • Ensure compliance with UNDP procedures, donor requirements, and humanitarian principles. • Monitor partner adherence to agreed standards, codes of conduct, safeguarding requirements, and contractual obligations.

• Perform any other related tasks as may be assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day). • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Provide annual and end-of-assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. • Support project assessments, baseline studies, evaluations, and verification exercises as required. • Provide technical and operational support to the Project Manager and project team. • Perform any other duties as assigned by UNDP management in support of the successful implementation, monitoring, and coordination of project activities.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDP technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNDP procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy, and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgment; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNDP in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;

• Teamwork and respect for diversity: the ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality, and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in the area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;

• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDP mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

At least 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Project Management, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Public Health, Education, Humanitarian Action, International Development, or another relevant field. • At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in project implementation, field monitoring, coordination, stakeholder engagement, and programme management in humanitarian, early recovery, resilience, development, or community-based interventions. Experience working with UN agencies, international NGOs, national NGOs, or donor-funded projects is highly desirable. • Experience in the implementation and monitoring of multi-sector programmes, including one or more of the following sectors: education, health, WASH, protection, MHPSS, shelter, livelihoods, social cohesion, disability inclusion, or community resilience. • Experience in coordinating with government institutions, local authorities, implementing partners, community-based organizations, and humanitarian actors. • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including community members, civil society organizations, governmental institutions, and UN agencies. • Demonstrated ability to work professionally and effectively in challenging, complex, and rapidly changing environments. • Experience in community engagement, beneficiary accountability, safeguarding, protection mainstreaming, and stakeholder coordination is an asset. • Complementary qualifications or training in project management, humanitarian action, monitoring and evaluation, programme coordination, or related fields are considered an advantage. • Experience working in humanitarian or development programmes in Gaza or similar contexts is desirable. • Familiarity with UNDP procedures, UN programming approaches, and donor-funded project implementation is an asset. • Strong analytical, coordination, problem-solving, and organizational skills. • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including report writing, drafting, and presentation skills. • Accuracy and professionalism in documentation, reporting, and information management. • Solid computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), email, internet applications, and online collaboration tools. • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, manage multiple priorities, and meet tight deadlines. • Sound security awareness and ability to operate in complex humanitarian environments. • Desirable: Valid national driving license and ability to travel regularly within assigned project locations, subject to security and access conditions. • Demonstrated commitment to humanitarian principles, community engagement, volunteerism, inclusion, and the values and mandate of the United Nations system.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. A 11-month contract with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) including Danger and Hardship Differential of ILS 6,268 is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as Exit allowance for satisfactory service.

The UN Volunteer will be working in the Gaza Strip.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 10 days ago - Updated 6 hours ago - Source: unv.org