Project Coordination Associate

Ramallah

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Ramallah
Grade: Administrative support - NPSA-7, National Personnel Services Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Administrative support
- Project and Programme Management
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: 2025-02-16

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) was established through a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 December 1978, calling upon UNDP “to improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people”. Since its establishment, UNDP/PAPP has delivered over USD 1.7 billion in development assistance to the Palestinian People.

UNDP’s Palestinian Programmatic Framework (PPF) 2023-2025 sets out a vision of “a world in which all Palestinians can enjoy a dignified life and fulfil their own vision of a unified, peaceful and free society”. The PPF is centred around the concept of ‘Transformative Resilience’ and its three elements: a cohesive Palestinian identity, self-reliance, and ownership and leadership.

Over the next three years, UNDP/PAPP will build on its experiences and achievements to make critical contributions to the priorities defined by the Palestinian national development plans and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), through interventions in three programmatic priority areas: i) democratic governance and quality services; ii) inclusive economic opportunities; iii) sustainable natural resources management.

The UNDP/UNICEF/UN Women Sawasya III Joint Programme (Promoting the Rule of Law in Palestine) is the United Nations’ foremost programme aimed comprehensively at promoting and advancing the rule of law, justice, security and human rights in Palestine.

During the period 2018-2023 the programme has endeavoured to enhance the capacities of, and public confidence in, rule of law institutions, and strengthen access to justice, security and protection services, especially for women and girls. Interventions are designed with a view to sustainability and linking activities to ‘system-level’ policy development.

As part of the third phase of the programme and backed by a consortium of development partners, with numerous national and international actors, Sawasya II supports government institutions and civil society working in justice, security and protection to strengthen access to efficient, equitable and accountable services for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Partnership with UN Women and UNICEF in this joint programme underpins the gender and child rights components throughout the justice chain and within relevant public services.

Civil society partners and academic institutions are vital elements of building an inclusive State of Palestine that respects, protects and fulfils human rights and gender equality, and promotes development, peace and security – the fundamentals of the United Nations’ mission in Palestine. Support rests on a supply and demand equation that combines enhanced service delivery by resilient justice and security institutions with the public’s ability to access such services and hold duty-bearers to account. By increasing public confidence in the sector, support is designed to be catalytic, strengthening state-society relations and creating an enabling environment for development and peacebuilding. Interventions are informed by a coherent theory of change and characterised by flexibility and responsiveness to institutional changes as a result of political developments. The Sawasya III programme is oriented around the following four mutually reinforcing outcomes:

People, particularly those at risk, have improved access to high-quality services relating to their legal, psychosocial, protection, and security needs.
People are served by responsive institutions that have strengthened their capacity to operate in an effective, efficient, people-centered, and accountable manner.
Societal and institutional behaviors and attitudes that uphold human rights, gender equality, and equity principles are embraced.
Women’s access to gender-responsive and inclusive justice, security, and protection services is strengthened.

The Sawasya III Joint Programme builds on the achievements and findings of its predecessor programmes, and the comparative advantages of the involved UN agencies. Importantly, the Joint Programme (Sawasya) uses baselines captured during these earlier programmes as a means to monitor results and inform future planning.

Scope of Work

1.Contributes to the formulation of programme materials in consultation with Sawasya Management and focusing on achievement of the following results:

In consultation with Sawasya Managers prepares briefings and presentations to partners including, Government, Sawasya Donors, member states, UN Agencies and CSO’s, overall programme strategies and consults with them and where necessary (with management) about negotiating amendments/changes.
Prepares administrative and logistical needs in collarobration with Sawasya managers for relevant meetings/consultations in collaboration with management and support staff.

2. Provides effective support to the management team of the Sawasya Programme including on overall direction of the programme, day to day activities and coordinates between the Sawasya Agencies focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Compiles and presents data on Sawasya from project managers, partners and donors including information from reports, briefings, meetings etc. This will be used for purposes of reporting, presentations, talking points and other reasons determined by the Joint programme.
Supports in reviewing incoming operational and financial reports in terms of completeness and formal correctness in cooperation with the Joint Programme Manager.

3.Provides administrative and operational support to the Joint Programme Management Unit focusing on achievement of the following results:

Drafts, prepares, circulates official meeting minutes reflecting a high standard of English and proficiency in Word and Excel computer applications.
Translates letters and memorandums from English to Arabic and vice versa.
Monitors schedules and timetables, including planned updates in cooperation with the Joint Programme Manager.
Follows up regularly with project managers and relevant operational colleagues including finance, human resources and procurement to ensure timeliness and compliance of project activities. In consultation with the Business Solutions Services Center at UNDP.
Supports the development of spending projections to be shared with Sawasya Donors in collaboration with the finance teams of the 3 agencies.
Maintains and updates the project reporting schemes and matrices.
Tracks paperwork, shares correspondence including financial reports and acts as a focal point between Sawasya development partner contribution and with the multi partner trust fund (MPTF).

4.Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the programme focusing on achievement of the following results:

Participates in the trainings for the operations/ projects staff on programme.
Contributes to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Develops and maintains central repository of information relating to Sawasya including key documents and ensures this is updated on a regular basis.

5.Follows up the Programme’s risk management approaches in conjunction with Sawasya Management and Project Managers:

Liaises with Project Managers and the M&E Sawasya Focal Point in updating risk logs on a quarterly basis.
Ensures dissemination of risk approaches in consultation with Sawasya Management and respective risk management focal points.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Coordination Associate will be under the direct supervision of the Joint Programme Manager and will supervise a driver at NPSA 2 Level.

Competencies

Core
Achieve Results:	LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively:	LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously:	LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility:	LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination:	LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner:	LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:	LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies :

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Ethics	UN policy knowledge – ethics	Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity.
Business Management	Communication	Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication. To tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
Business Development	Knowledge Facilitation	Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange
Business Management	Partnership Management	Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies
Business Management	Monitoring& Evaluation	Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
2030 Agenda: Peace	Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights	Rule of Law
2030 Agenda: Peace	Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights	Women's Access to Justice

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Education requirements	Secondary education is required, or A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in Business or Public Administration, Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or Communication or related field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.
Min. years of relevant work experience	Minimum of seven (7) years (with secondary education) or four (4) years (with bachelor’s degree) including working in administrative and/or programme/ project roles.
Required skills	Proven experience in working with local governmental or non-governmental organizations including civil society organizations (CSOs) is required. Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is required. Experience in preparation of reports, briefing notes, correspondence and/or presentations summarizing results etc. on behalf of organisations is required.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section	Working with UNDP or other UN agencies or with NGO or INGO organizations is an asset. Experience in reviewing and analysing strategies will be an asset. Translation / Interepetation certificate will be an asset. Demonstrated experience and understanding of monitoring and evaluation tools is an asset.
Required Language(s)	Fluency in both Arabic and English languages is required.
Professional Certificates	N/A

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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