Movement & Trade Director

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 - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information - Job-specific

Working under the supervision of the Head of Mission and in collaboration with the Director of Finance and Operations as well as other Directors, the Movement and Trade Director is responsible and accountable for:

1. Shaping and leading the Movement and Trade aspects of OQ work.
2. Contributing to integrated planning, action and strategy of the OQ.
3. Maintaining a strategic and policy focus on the sector, including relevant analytic and economic metrics
4. Coordinating and working with senior stakeholders in the Palestinian Authority, Government of Israel, the International Community and the private sector in respect of developing and facilitating implementation of Movement and Trade projects and initiatives.

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

Functional Responsibilities

The Director is responsible for delivering the following:

1. Developing and implementing new initiatives in the Movement and Trade arena to improve trade facilitation between, the West Bank and Gaza and Israel and the greater international market as well as the movement of people and cargo through relevant crossings, in particular Allenby/King Hussein Bridge and Kerem Shalom/Karm Abu Salem, while ensuring consistency with the OQ strategy and internationally accepted best practices.
2. Delivering results, achieved by a well-managed and fully functional team focused on Movement and Trade related work, consistent with the OQ strategy and commitments made to the donors who support the work of the Office in general and Movement and Trade in particular.
3. Preparing a full range of written communication documents (such as AHLC and other reports, funding proposals, letters, emails and presentations) for internal and external purposes as needed.
4. Regular presentations to the donor community, Quartet members and others to explain on-going and proposed future work, including, wherever possible, an explanation of how the OQ M&T work aligns with internationally accepted best practices.
5. The overall management and supervision of the Movement and Trade team, including mobilising and supporting the team to deliver on all organisational commitments in the Movement and Trade arena, establishment and communication of performance standards and preparation of regular performance reviews.
6. Planning and organising the work of the team, including the development, monitoring and timely delivery against clearly articulated work streams, ensuring optimal use of resources and a high level of accountability against performance and output.
7. Developing and implementing new initiatives in the Movement and Trade arena, consistent with the OQ strategy, internationally accepted best practices and the best interests of the Palestinian economy to keep the work fresh, innovative and relevant to the range of stakeholders, including OQ partners.
8. Identify and prepare transition plans for work-streams as these develop sufficiently to be led by relevant stakeholders.
9. Identify necessary improvements in movement, access and trade to help build the Palestinian economy and develop creative solutions to assure improvements are realized.
10. Working closely with the Government of Israel with the aim of minimizing any restrictions on the movement of goods and people, including through the use of available technology.
11. Working closely with the Palestinian Authority and other key actors to help create a more business-friendly environment with smoother processes and fewer restrictions; all with an eye to improving the competitiveness of Palestinian economy, business activities and products.
12. Working closely with the Palestinian private sector and the private sector institutions, in particular relevant umbrella organizations such as Chambers of Commerce and Industrial Unions to maximize opportunities increased production and enhanced trade.
13. Systematically engaging the Palestinian private sector to ensure all OQ initiatives which affect them are fully understood and meet their needs and enjoy their support.
14. Working closely with the OQ Director of Finance to coordinate all issues associated with team and programme finances, including identifying staffing requirements, budget needs, preparation of ToRs for new positions, justification for requested staffing enhancements, etc.
15. Preparing funding notes and proposals to sustain and enhance the work of the Movement and Trade Team in coordination with other Directors and Senior Management.
16. Maintaining ongoing communication and providing regular updates at all times with the relevant members of the donor and international communities to ensure proper coordination, continuity of future funding and the credibility of the office.

All these deliverables are to be reached in close coordination and cooperation with the Head of Mission and the larger OQ team.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

An advanced degree is required. An undergraduate degree (bachelor’s degree) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree

Work Experience:

At least 7 years’ experience working in the international development sector, in an operational capacity, including experience managing teams.

Demonstrated experience in trade facilitation and both public and private sector engagement is required.

Ability to both prepare and verbally present high quality written documents and key concepts in English is required

Strong knowledge and understanding of international community led development programming as well as engagement with public sector entities, e.g. Ministries. This experience can be gained by exposure to international organizations or the international aspects of a private sector entity is highly desired.

Good knowledge of the trade arrangements between the Palestinian Authority and Israel is highly desired

Organization Skills and Abilities:

• Highly skilled in establishing strong relationships and building confidence among partners and associates including demonstrating sound judgment; ability to consistently work in a professional manner in dealing with culturally diverse individuals at all levels, both internal and external to the organization.

  • Must be able to compromise and focus on developing collaborative solutions.
  • Highly skilled in research and analysis: very strong quantitative and qualitative analytic skills; keen attention to detail, data accuracy and data presentation.
  • 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 prioritising demands.
  • Strong team player: ability to work independently and in teams; ability to interact with senior representatives across a range of organisations; flexible as tasks and priorities shift; respect and proven ability to work and strive in a multicultural environment.
  • Time Management Skills: strong time management skills and abilities which are critical for successful management of projects and initiatives.
  • Other: demonstrated competence with using standard office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
  • Must be self-motivated and able to motivate the team under his or her leadership.

  Language Requirements:

• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

  • Knowledge of Arabic and/or Hebrew is an asset.

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.

Contract type, level and duration

The contract for this position will be issued by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) on behalf of its Client the Office of Quartet pursuant to an agreement between both parties whereby the successful candidate's contractual rights and responsibilities will be managed by the Office of Quartet (OQ) office and not by UNOPS. Contract type: International Individual contract Contract level: IICA 3 Contract duration: 12 months with possibility of extension upon satisfactory of performance & availability of funds

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 Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.