Director – Economic Development

Senior Leadership

Contract

This is a IICA-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Jerusalem

Jerusalem Office – UNOPS Project Management and Infrastructure Centre of Excellence

Since the opening of the Jerusalem Office in 2006, UNOPS has significantly strengthened its operations in Palestine. Our expert knowledge, skills and management systems contribute to the sustainable development of public infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank, including Area C and East Jerusalem.

Background Information - Job-specific

The OQ’s Economic Development (ED) Team’s key objective is to expand Palestinian economic output, primarily through addressing trade and production challenges (both at the policy and practical levels) negatively impacting economic growth. The work is based on close collaboration with a range of stakeholders and actors to identify challenges and opportunities and converge around common targets, approaches and strategic initiatives.

The role represents a senior and central leadership position within the OQ, requiring high-level engagement with a wide range of stakeholders in the political, technical and diplomatic communities, including Ministers, Ambassadors, and senior government officials. The role is expected to lead a program central to the advancement of Palestinian economic and institutional development and empowerment, working within a challenging and rewarding environment.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Mission (HoM) / Deputy Head of Mission (DHoM), the Director – Economic Development (DoED), leads the ED strategy, work-streams and partnerships, also ensuring OQ program / team collaboration. DoED is responsible and accountable for the overall management of the team, strategic direction, and assuring the timely implementation of initiatives and other deliverables undertaken by the OQ.

The duty station is Jerusalem with travel to the West Bank, and once the security situation allows also Gaza.

Functional Responsibilities

The DoED will lead development of ED strategy, program and implementation, along with ED team, within the below scope.

• Strategic Leadership
• Sectoral Policy and Strategic Focus
• Stakeholder engagement, coordination and communication
• Cross Program / Team Collaboration
• Resources Management

The work is of a highly confidential nature and the DoED must maintain the highest standards of confidentiality.

Working under the supervision of the HoM / DHoM, and in close collaboration with the other directors & the wider OQ team, the DoED is responsible for achieving OQ strategy through the following deliverables.

Strategic Leadership

• Shape and lead OQ’s ED program in alignment with OQ objectives
• Develop the OQ’s ED strategy, including development of relevant and innovative initiatives
• Advise the HoM, D/HoM on measures to support the Palestinian economy considering technical, economic, and political factors in the Palestinian, Israeli, and regional contexts
• Lead implementation of ED strategy through prioritizing and planning of resources

• Lead implementation of ED new initiatives ensuring integration and sustainability

• Ensure right value proposition and program positioning for OQ ED Program among sector stakeholders
• Contribute towards OQ funding proposals

Sectoral Policy and Strategic Focus

• Maintain a strong policy and strategic focus on key economic sectors such as trade and industry.
• Monitor and analyze key developments, including policy developments, using relevant analytics and economic metrics.
• Lead the development of policy papers and strategic documents
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations based on comprehensive data analysis
• Keep abreast of relevant local and regional developments as well as related developments in other sectors so as to provide comprehensive insights and recommendations.
• Identify, prioritize and decide the OQ ED workstreams in consultation with HoM/DHoM
• Develop and facilitate the implementation of ED workstreams and initiatives that foster economic growth and stability
• Identify and prepare transition plans for workstreams as they develop sufficiently to be led by other stakeholders
• Ensure ED’s program, products and outputs are of highest quality

Stakeholder engagement, coordination and communication

• Develop OQ ED stakeholder engagement strategy and maintain effective partnership with Palestinian Authority, the Government of Israel, the international community, and the private sector
• Identify and maintain a strong network of stakeholders
• Lead or support high-level stakeholder coordination and collaboration, enabling OQ ED program delivery
• Responsible for timely and effective production of communication material (such as AHLC and other reports, funding proposals, briefing notes and presentations) for internal and external purposes
• Provide regular updates and presentations to stakeholders at relevant forums

Cross Program / Team Collaboration

• Contribute to integrated planning, action, and strategy development across different teams
• Work closely with other teams within the OQ to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach to addressing multi-sector issues.
• Effective utilization of OQs office-wide resources, including the Economist of ED team, to build and leverage on common knowledge

Resources Management - Lead the OQ’s ED Team, including planning, implementing, guidance and oversight - Establish team performance standards and carry out performance evaluations - Establish skills & competencies required to deliver the ED program; meet the needs through learning - Foster a productive and positive team environment that encourages innovation and excellence - Develop the ED Team’s budget ensuring risks are adequately covered - Ensure effective management of financial resources allocated to the ED program

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education Requirements - Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) is required, preferably in economics, governance, international relations, political science or other related field. A Bachelor’s degree in combination with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Experience Requirements - At least 7 years of relevant work experience in a leading capacity in the areas of Economic Development, Trade etc is required - Strong knowledge and understanding of international community led development programming is required - Excellent communication skills, including a demonstrated ability to both write, and present high-quality written documents/presentations and key concepts is required - Demonstrated experience in Economic Development with both public and private sector is desirable. - Knowledge and understanding of the intricacies of international relations and diplomacy is desirable - Strong knowledge of the economic arrangements between the Palestinian Authority and Israel is desirable - Relevant management experience including experience managing and motivating teams is desirable - Experience in the region and/or regarding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is desirable

Language Requirement - Excellent command of written and spoken English. - Working knowledge of Hebrew and Arabic is an advantage.

Skills - Strong leadership: Excellent management, people and listening skills, high sense of professionalism and work commitment. - Highly skilled in stakeholder management: Customer-orientation and sound judgment; ability to consistently demonstrate a professional manner in dealing with individuals at all levels, both internally and externally to the organization. - Excellent communication skills: Strong research and writing ability; skilled in creating knowledge products such as policy briefs, papers, guidance notes and other pieces directed at multiple audiences; ability to work under tight deadlines, juggling multiple competing tasks and prioritizing demands.

Other: Demonstrated competence with using standard office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc).

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International ICA Contract level: IICA3, ICS11 Contract duration: One year with the intention for extension subject to satisfactory performance and budget availability.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Apply now

Added 19 hours ago - Updated 1 hour ago - Source: jobs.unops.org