Women, Peace and Security Officer
Support the implementation of WPS programmes in Palestine.
Overview
Support the implementation of WPS programmes in Palestine.
You have:
- Very good understanding of gender equality and WPS concept
- Very good understanding of UN Women’s mandate and of the UN system
- Very good writing skills
- Good understanding of the context in Palestine; previous experience in Palestine in the field of gender equality would be an asset
- Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture would be highly regarded
Contract
This is a UNV International Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Youth contracts.
As of 2022, the situation in Palestine is marked by multiple, overlapping crises: more than 55 years of Israeli military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, 15 years long blockade on Gaza, internal Pales-tinian political division, economic crises and recurrent escalations of hostilities between Israel and Pal-estinian armed groups. The humanitarian situation remains dire. In 2022, the Humanitarian Country Team estimates that approximately 2.1 million Palestinians across the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) will require some form of humanitarian assistance, out of which 49 per cent are women.
In Palestine, few women have been officially involved in the peace and negotiation processes. Women have been absent from important reconciliation talks between Fatah and Hamas in Cairo and Shate’ camp in 2014 and in Istanbul in 2020, despite the impact of internal conflict on their lives, as well as from ceasefire agreements. Currently, there are also no women in the PLO Executive Committee. Con-sequently, many women peace and security leaders and advocates have lost hope and faith in their ability to influence or be involved in peacebuilding processes.
UN Women in Palestine is a steadfast supporter the advancement of women’s peace and security agenda in Palestine. In March 2021, The State of Palestine adopted its second-generation National Ac-tion Plan for the Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Palestine (PALNAP). Currently, the WPS/HA team in the West Bank including East Jerusalem is working on the implementa-tion of two programmes with 11 partners. UN Women also continues to implement its programme “Advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Palestine” which builds on the achievements and lessons learned of the first phase - and is informed by the key priorities of Palestine second National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 and the recommendations of the 2021 Open Day/high level dialogue on WPS.
Under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist and Head of Gaza Sub-Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
Contribute to the development of programmes in the area of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) • Support in the design and formulation of programmes/projects and initiatives on WPS; • Assist in identifying key areas for priority support and intervention related to WPS pro-grammes; • Assist in identify strategic areas for intervention that focus on the humanitarian-peace-development nexus; • Supporting with technical inputs to the annual work-planning and reporting exercise on WPS.
Contribute to the implementation and management of WPS Programmes • In cooperation with the pillar lead on WPS and Humanitarian action, follow up with key na-tional partners on the implementation of targeted interventions that support women’s en-gagement and influence in peace processes and conflict prevention in Palestine; • Assist the pillar lead in the implementation, monitoring and reporting on specific programme activities; • Contribute with technical assistance and capacity development to WPS team’s efforts in managing programme/project partners; • As part of the team, monitor and observe the implementation and monitoring of UNSCR 1325 National Action Plan in Palestine; • Contribute to the development and implementation of capacity building initiatives targeting key WPS partners and stakeholders in Palestine including on high-level advocacy and wom-en’s participation in conflict resolution and local peacebuilding.
Assist in partnership building and resource mobilization efforts • Contribute with inputs to WPS resource mobilization efforts; analyze and maintain infor-mation and databases; • Assist in preparing relevant documentation such as project summaries, meeting minutes, speeches, and donor profiles; • Participate in donor meetings and public information events, as delegated; • Support the expansion of partnership on WPS with governmental, non-governmental and UN sister agencies in the area of advancing the WPS agenda.
Provide support to advocacy, knowledge building and communication efforts; • Support drafting background documents, briefs and presentations related to WPS; • Contribute to organizing events on WPS, including the Open Day/high-level dialogue on WPS; • Compile information from different sources on contextual developments and key WPS trends; • Support as needed the development of publications, advocacy and communication materials.
☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☒ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Leadership ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Self-Management
programming and project’s implementation. • Very good understanding of gender equality and WPS concept • Very good understanding of UN Women’s mandate and of the UN system • Very good writing skills • Good understanding of the context in Palestine; previous experience in Palestine in the field of gender equality would be an asset. • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded;
The candidate will be based at UN Women Palestine Country Office and will report to the Jerusalem duty station. UN Women is also present in Ramallah and Gaza. The UN Volunteer will be living in Jerusalem, which is a family duty station. It is currently at UNDSS security level MODERATE. As other UN staff and partners, the volunteer will make their own arrangements for housing and transportation to and from work. The UNV is expected to rent a suitable accommodation found using agents or by word-of-mouth through colleagues or social media.
The office can be reached via public transportation. Travel into the West Bank is only permitted in a UN vehicle with a UN driver and no overnight stays are permitted except for at locations cleared by UNDSS. Travel into Gaza is only permitted in an armoured UN vehicle with a trained driver.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time when you had to support the implementation of a program? | The interviewer is looking to understand your practical experience in program implementation. | Provide a specific example, highlight your role and impact. |
| How have you approached advocacy for women's issues in your previous roles? | The interviewer wants to gauge your experience and strategies in advocacy. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies would you use to engage local partners in WPS initiatives? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you explain the importance of the UNSCR 1325 in the context of peacebuilding? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a situation where you had to adapt to a challenging environment while working on a project. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |