General
Description of assignment title
Program Support Officer
Assignment country
State of Palestine
Expected start date
01/11/2025
Sustainable Development Goal
6. Clean water and sanitation
Volunteer category
National UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
UNDP PAPP
Type
Onsite
Duration
6 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Ramallah
Details
Mission and objectives
UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) derives its mandate from the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 33/147 of 20 December 1978. Called upon by United Nations Member States in that year, UNDP was requested “to improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people by identifying their social and economic needs and by establishing concrete projects to that end”. UNDP/PAPP is a responsive development agency that works together with the Palestinian people to fulfil their aspiration for sustainable human development based on self-determination, equality and freedom.
Context
The project aims to improve bulk water supply and distribution management in the West Bank through the rehabilitation of eight wells across the northern and southern regions of the West Bank, drilling a new well for communities with limited access in south of Hebron, and assessing additional water resources. It will also strengthen the Palestinian Water Authority’s ICT for monitoring and decision-making and help develop a better information system. The project’s objectives include addressing water shortages, supporting the establishment of the National Water Company (NWC), and creating an integrated system for data-driven management. The project intends to achieve the following three outputs, with a view to contribute to the longer-term and higher-level results of improved and equitable access to quality water services to people ensured: 1. An affordable and sustainable solution for online monitoring of bulk water supply and distribution is developed and operationalized in prioritized locations across the West Bank. 2. Groundwater well constructed and ready to be equipped for water supply in As Samoua South of Hebron. 3. Improved capacities of PWA/WBWD for maintained and improved water service in identified water eight wells in the West Bank.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Portfolio Manager and in close coordination with the Project Manager, the National UN Specialist Volunteer is expected to provide administrative, financial, operational, and communication support to ensure the smooth implementation of portfolio activities. a) Administrative and Logistical Support • Provide logistical assistance in planning, organizing, and implementing project events (e.g., workshops, training sessions, stakeholder and review meetings). • Support the preparation and organization of Steering Committee and coordination meetings. • Assist in scheduling, preparing agendas, drafting minutes, and following up on agreed actions. • Ensure logistical arrangements for project staff, partners, and consultants (e.g., travel, accommodation, meeting venues, supplies). b) Financial and Documentation Support • Support the review of payment requests to ensure completeness and compliance with rules and procedures before submitting it to the UNDP’s BSSC. • Review and verify FACE forms submitted by Implementing Partners (IPs) prior to submission to UNDP’s BSSC. • Maintain well-organized filing systems and databases (hard and soft copies), ensuring proper documentation and easy retrieval of records. c) Operational Support • Provide day-to-day administrative and logistical support to projects within the portfolio. • Assist in the preparation of documentation for contract extensions and related processes. • Maintain updated contact lists of stakeholders, experts, and project partners. • Support the preparation of project materials (e.g., briefing notes, presentations, progress updates). • Ensure confidentiality and proper handling of sensitive project information. • Perform other operational tasks as assigned by the Portfolio Manager in support of project delivery. d) Communication and Visibility Support • Liaise with the UNDP Communication Unit to coordinate the preparation of briefing notes, fact sheets, and visibility materials for meetings and events. • Assist in documenting project events and activities for reporting and communication purposes.
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80
Required experience
3 years
Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience
3 years
Languages
Arabic, Level: Native language, Required English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Social Sciences or any other related field.
Competencies and values
• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management
Skills and experience
Project implementation, communication and reporting, financial and administrative management, or any closely related field. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive. • Excellent oral and written skills; drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Strong computer literacy, with proven proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
Area(s) of expertise
Administration, Development programmes, Energy and environment
Driving license
–
Other information
Volunteerism is understood as a wide range of activities undertaken of free will, for the general public good, for which monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor.
Living conditions and remarks
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. A 6 -month contract with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of ILS 6730.16 is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as Exit allowance for satisfactory service.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
Scam warning
The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.
