UN-HABITAT Community Development / Gender Specialist

Job ID/Title :UN-HABITAT Community Development / Gender Specialist
Brand :UN-HABITAT
Application Deadline : 25-Nov-14
Duty Station:Ramallah
Languages Required :Arabic, English,   
Duration of Initial Contract :Six months
Expected Duration of Assignment :Six months

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Background:

The Community Developer / Gender Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the International Chief Technical Advisor / Team Leader for the occupied Palestinian territory, and the direct supervision of the International Urban Planner/Project Manager.
He/she will be part of UN-HABITAT's Support Team to spatial planning related projects. He/she will take the lead on specific expected results assigned to him/her.
He/she will build up and maintain a network of local organizations and professionals working on planning related matters, liaise with relevant counterparts with the Palestinian Authority, sister Agencies and project partners on project activities, as requested by the Project Manager.

Description of Responsibilities:

The overall goal of the aforementioned programme component is broken down in three more specific objectives:

-Preparation of statutory plans and development frameworks for Palestinian communities to realize authorized increases in building rights, enhance sustainable development and build resilience through participation in planning processes;

-Enhanced Palestinian capacity for planning in Area C;

-Coordinated advocacy for changes in the restrictive planning system of Area C based on comprehensive information and monitoring system.

-Existing plans are benchmarked against international ‘quality standard’ and Advisory Board pronounce on planning system applied.

-Real time, spatially accurate information available on plans and their approval for effective advocacy, in the form of a database and digital platform within the Ministry of Local Government.

-10 Design Schemes for Community Infrastructure prepared.

-Up to 10 Community-driven Plans and/or Development Schemes prepared for vulnerable communities (including Bedouin/herding communities), including up to 6 statutory Local Outline Plans.

-2 Pilot Development Schemes for Economic Hinterlands of already planned built-up areas prepared and for a cluster of localities prepared.

-1 Pilot Regional Development Scheme for a central section of Area C, as contribution to the National Spatial Plan 2025 for Independent Palestine

-10 Communities including Village leaders and their Councils strengthened to take up development control role.

-Effective involvement of women and youth in all participatory activities related to this project through the implementation of a specific gender strategy

Accordingly, the following functions are expected to be delivered by the community development / gender specialist:

-Make sure to align all gender related policies/strategies of the plans under preparation with MoLG’s gender policies/strategies, and coordinate all activities in this regard.

-Substantially contribute in the community visioning and needs assessments tasks, especially those related to place-making activities. 

-Revise the terms of reference used by MoLG regarding community development inclusion in the preparation of local plans, and accordingly propose new amendments based on the experience gained in the plans under preparation under this project.

Responsibilities

-He/she will substantially contribute to all expected results as outlined above, and more in particular on the gender issues related to the intended planning processes and products.

-Work with field teams to develop and strengthen program strategies and approaches from a gender perspective.

-Ensure all project plans have been designed with gender sensitive approaches, and the needs of women, girls, boys and men have been clearly considered during the identification, selection and design processes.

-Contribute to the development of the project plans through conducting field research, needs assessments, special analysis and relevant surveys.

-Ensure proper, professional, documented and clear communication with project partners regarding all aspects of the project activities.

-Evaluate projects outputs through periodic visits and provide relevant professional advice to project partners as appropriate

-Perform other duties as instructed by the project manager and as needed by the duty of work

-Develop and maintain sound partner relationships with projects through continuous follow up, support and representation on the steering committee of the project.

-Carry out the responsibility to monitor activities of the project ensure that objectives are met in compliance with the original plans of the detailed implementation plan of the grant proposal.

-Coordinate with the project stakeholders on scheduling activities.

Impact of Results

The Community Developer and Gender Specialist will support the Project Manager on gender mainstreaming and advice related to spatial planning issues in the occupied Palestinian territory, and strengthen information flow between UN-HABITAT HQ and local HABITAT partners through representation, liaison, networking, and attendance at meetings, workshops and conferences

Competencies :

-Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seek to develop oneself professionally and personally; contribute to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; show willingness to learn from others; seek feedback to learn and improve;

-Communication: strong conceptual skills combined with a proven ability to write technical and normative documents addressing a variety of audiences;

-Teamwork: must be able to operate in multicultural teams in a flexible manner;

-Accountability: should be able to perform her/his duties under pressure and with deadlines.

-Good analytical skills, which means the ability quickly to identify the key subject(s) in complex and dynamic situations

-Good creative skills, that translate problems into opportunities and generate pragmatic proposals

-Good motivation and collaborative skills

-Experience with capacity building activities (teaching, consulting, programs similar to this one)

-Experience with facilitating inter-institutional cooperation, stakeholder involvement and working with teams

-Good oral and written communication skills; proficiency in spoken and written Arabic and English, while oral communication skills in Hebrew would be considered a great asset.

Qualifications :

Education:

-Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) preferably in community development and gender studies, or related field/or a bachelor degree

Experience:

-minimum 3 years of relevant working experience on community development and gender issues related to spatial planning in oPt/Israel

Other  Requirements:

-Knowledge in legal frameworks in oPt/Israel, in particular related to spatial planning and land issues.

-Adequate skills in Project Cycle Management and community development

-Proven experience in building cooperative relationships

-Valid driving license.

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“UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer: applications from both internal and external men and women will be considered equally”

UNDP actively supports the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the United Nations General Assembly

Important message to all applicants!
-Please be aware that the UNDP/PAPP will review your application only if you have uploaded Personal History Form (P.11) to your application. Please download the form from the following link: http://jobs.undp.ps.
-You will get the opportunity to upload the P-11 at when you apply for the position.
-Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications that are under consideration will be contacted.
-For more detailed information about UNDP/PAPP please visit our website at www.undp.ps.