Background:
UN 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.
UN Womenโs triple mandate, along with its global network and deep policy and programming expertise, continues to endow the Entity with a unique capacity to: (i) support Member States to strengthen global norms and standards for gender equality and womenโs empowerment, and mainstream gender perspectives in other thematic areas; (ii) promote coordination and coherence across the UN system to enhance accountability and results for gender equality and womenโs empowerment; and (iii) undertake operational activities to support Member States, upon their request, in translating global norms and standards into legislation, policies and strategies at country level.
UN Women plays an innovative and catalytic role in the State of Palestine since its inception in 1997 (as UNIFEM). In line with the national priorities, the work of UN Women for the period 2023-2025 is aligned with three of the Palestine United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworkโs (UNSDCF) outcomes:
Palestinians have greater access to economic opportunities that are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, including decent employment and livelihood opportunities in an empowered private sector. Palestinians, including the most vulnerable, have equal access to sustainable, inclusive, gender responsive, and quality social services, social protection, and affordable utilities. Palestinian governance institutions, processes, and mechanisms at all levels are more democratic, rights-based, inclusive, and accountable.Its three-year Strategic Note supports the efforts to achieve measurable results in country in terms of four UN Women global Strategic Plan impacts (2022-2025): SP Impact 1 - Governance and participation in public life; SP Impact 2 - Womenโs Economic Empowerment; SP Impact 3 - Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and SP Impact 4 - Women peace and security, Humanitarian & Disaster Risk Reduction.
Due to its specific nature, characterized by a chronic conflict interspersed with periods of intense and often, geographically specific conflict, the UN Women portfolio in Palestine tackles both development work and humanitarian assistance. Within the last decade, UN Women in Palestine has made significant progress towards mobilizing the resources and efforts of national and international partners around the promotion of gender equality and womenโs human rights within the framework of national priorities. A holistic approach to programming and close links with national partners from policy to community levels enabled UN Women to provide meaningful and, when needed, rapid response. Over time and to address institutionalization of gender equality, UN Women in Palestine has been working closely with the Government, development and humanitarian actors, civil society, UN agencies, and donors.
Reporting to the Regional Director, the Head of Office is responsible for the provision of expert guidance and advice to shape the Country Officeโs direction and improve overall performance. Based on theirย expert knowledge and extensive experience, the incumbent will leadย in the development and implementation of the Palestine Country Office (CO) portfolio, translating the UN Women's Strategic Plan (SP) in line with regional and national priorities, and developing effective partnerships with Government counterparts, UN system agencies and organizations, civil society organizations, and with bilateral and non-traditional donors in order to promote inter-agency partnerships, support for UN reform, and mobilization of visibility and resources to advance gender equality and women's empowerment. The Head of Office is responsible for providing strategic advice and leadership to the UN Women Palestine Office team, which is operating from three locations.
Key Functions and Accountabilities:
Provide strategic advice and insight on the Strategic Planning and Development of the Country Portfolio
Provide expert guidance on the development,ย theย implementation and the monitoring of strategic direction of the country portfolio. Guide and lead the design, planning, formulation, preparation, and development of the Country Strategic Note and Response Plan(s).ย Provide strategic advice and insight to the Executive Director, Regional Directo,r and Senior Management on the regional strategy, direction, and planning of interventions and initiatives.ยProvideย strategic advisory supportย to the Resident Coordination and facilitate UN Womenโs involvement inย UN and Humanitarian Country Teams
Facilitate UN Womenโs involvement in the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the Humanitarian Country Team/Humanitarian Country Team Plus under the strategic guidance and coordination of the UN Resident Coordinator (RC)/Humanitarian Coordinator (HC), collaborate on and lead as needed UNCT and HCT programming and advocacy to ensure gender equality and womenโs empowerment issues are fully integrated into UN programming processes, including the Common Country Assessment (CCA), the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the Humanitarian Response Plan(s) planning, budgeting, resource mobilization, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Provide strategic advice to the RC and UN system partners to strengthen UN system interagency coherence, collaboration, planning, cooperation, and harmonization of programming, advocacy, common services, and operations;ย facilitate joint programming and promote UN competencies to advance gender equality and womenโs human rights. Facilitate UN Womenโs involvement in UN system thematic and other working groups/clusters to build effective networks and stay informed on current debates and perspectives regarding development; facilitate the active engagement of UN Women within the humanitarian framework to build strong networks and stay informed on current discussions and perspectives regarding the NEXUS.Provide expert guidance and lead advocacy campaigns.
Represent UN Women in intergovernmental forums, public information/relations events, and key meetings, participate in policy dialogue; discuss policy initiatives, report on progress achieved, and/or present policy papers/ideas. Support the building ofย relations and partnerships with high-level and senior government officials as well as multi-lateral, bi-lateral agencies and NGOs; and participate in regional, counter,y and other critical meetings and events. Guideย and support advocacy for gender equality and womenโs empowerment to ensure UN support towards realization of the national plans and priorities are done in a gender responsive manner, and within agreed international frameworks that promote and protect gender equality.Facilitate strategic partnerships, and oversee resource mobilization initiatives
Participate in the development of resource mobilization strategies, managing the implementation of resource mobilization strategies, plans, and efforts. Facilitate UN Womenโs involvement with government, partners, stakeholders, and donors to achieve active collaboration, cooperation, and alliances on intervention/initiative development and implementation, and resource mobilization.Lead initiatives in knowledge management, innovation, and capacity building
Facilitate theย development and implementation of the Country Office communication plans, based on UN Womenโs communication strategy. Encourage critical thinking and the application of innovation and best practices within the organization. Advise on theย production of knowledge products.Provide guidance to the Palestine Country Office team
Advise and guide the teamโs efforts in the delivery of operational goals; finalize the annual/biennial work plan and budget; and oversee the implementation, including providing direction, guidance, insights, and technical support. Approve portfolio work plans, monitor CO compliance and progress, ensure preparation of mandated reports, and respond promptly to audit reviews. Manage the performance of personnel under their supervision; provide ongoing performance and career development feedback, timely completion of performance assessments, and coaching. Guide on the maintenance and updating ofย CO security strategy, plan, and measures to ensure full compliance with UN security policies, procedures, and requirements; represent UN Women in the Security Management team (SMT)The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The incumbent leads a team of 40, which includes at least 5 direct reports (2 P4/NOD and one NOC staff as well as 2 affiliate personnel (2 SC).ย
Competencies :
Core Values:
Integrity; Professionalism; Respect for Diversity.Core Competencies:
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues; Accountability; Creative Problem Solving; Effective Communication; Inclusive Collaboration; Stakeholder Engagement; Leading by Example.Please visitย this linkย for more information on UN Womenโs Values and Competencies Framework:ย
Functional Competencies:
Excellent programme formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation skills Excellent people management skills in a multicultural environment; ability to deal with individuals from all backgrounds Results-orientedย Ability to develop detailed operational plans, budgets, and deliver on themย Ability to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all Leading, developing, and empowering people Ability to advocate and provide policy advice and interact with high-level decision makers Excellent knowledge of gender equality and women's empowerment in the country Excellent analytical and conceptual thinking Strong knowledge of the UN system Ability to envision and lead the strategic direction for UN Women in the country Excellent networking skills Ability to identify and analyze trends, opportunities, and threats to fundraising and develop strategies Excellent diplomatic and written, and verbal communication skillsRecruitment Qualifications:
Education and certification:
Master's degree or equivalent in development-related disciplines, economics or public policy, or other social science fields 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 (such as PMPยฎ, PRINCE2ยฎ, or MSPยฎ) would be an added advantage.Experience:
At least 10 years of progressively responsible development experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in development cooperation at the international level is required. Experience in the provision ofย expert guidance and advice to clients or organizations. Experience working in Palestine or similar context is desirable. Experience in gender and womenโs issues programming, at the international level, preferably in developing countries within the UN system, Agencies, Funds or Programmes, or UN Mission is desirable. Field-based experience working with multi-cultural teams is desirable. Experience leading and coaching staff in international settings is required. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required. Experience working in complex and high-threat environments is required, as is knowledge of both humanitarian and development action and a good command of international law and human rights. Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.Language Requirements:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic) is desirable.Statements :
In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.
Diversity and inclusion:
At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates,ย and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age,ย ability, national origin,ย or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.
If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.
UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere toย UN Womenโsย policiesย and proceduresย andย theย standardsย of conduct expected of UN Women personnelย and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)
Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed, the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.
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