Economic Governance Consultant

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information - Jerusalem

Jerusalem Office – UNOPS Project Management and Infrastructure Centre of Excellence

Since the opening of the Jerusalem Office in 2006, UNOPS has significantly strengthened its operations in Palestine. Our expert knowledge, skills and management systems contribute to the sustainable development of public infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank, including Area C and East Jerusalem.

In recognition of its ability to affect and lead positive change, the Jerusalem Office  has been named the UNOPS Project Management and Infrastructure Centre of Excellence.

The Jerusalem Office is the first UN office to receive the Level 4 P3M3 Maturity Model certification in project management by APMG. This certification demonstrates the well-structured, standardized and defined project management processes and methodologies applied to projects, generating the best results desired by our partners.

This achievement is part of a broader agenda to increase the Office’s impact on development projects, by improving our services and adding value to the outcomes of our partners’ works. The office has benchmarked its capabilities against international industry level standards and through this has achieved several prestigious certifications, including ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety), ISO 14001 (Environment Management) and Level 4 P3M3.

Background Information - Job-specific

The mandate of the Office of the Quartet is to increase Palestinian economic and institutional development and empowerment, as a support towards achieving a two-state solution. In the event of a resumption of final status negotiations the OQ would support Quartet members in their efforts to realize a successful outcome.  The following strategic principles will guide the OQ’s work (in the areas of energy, water, rule of law, movement and trade and information/communication technology as well as economic mapping), to support the parties and ensure alignment with the strategic objectives of the Quartet members and donors to the Office. The Office’s work is undertaken in keeping with the following broad guidelines:

1. Playing a catalytic role in working towards sectoral solutions in partnership with other actors, while taking on direct responsibility for specific elements of those solutions (when the office is well positioned, and requested to do so). Particular attention is paid to policies and projects that have a multiplier effect – that is an outcome which extends beyond the narrow output of the policy or project; 
2. Focusing on implementation of agreements reached and announcements made by the parties, to ensure that they are translated as quickly as possible into results that have a positive impact in people’s lives; 
3. Bridging between the parties and providing creative solutions that enable progress on the ground; 
4. Maintaining the vertical depth of our work from the most granular, technical level to the strategic and political level while engaging the broad array of actors required to make progress, including the parties, members of the international community and others;
5. Ensuring complementarity of the OQ’s work with that of other key actors, including those which also play a convening role, including UNSCO, the Netherlands, Norway, the World Bank and the Local Aid Coordination Secretariat more broadly;
6. Continuing support to the Quartet Envoys, including their work to enable greater Palestinian sovereignty over its own affairs and to realize a final status agreement.

Functional Responsibilities

To support OQ’s efforts in the facilitation of improved trade relations between the PA and GOI, the reduction of fiscal leakages, and the improvement of doing business in the Palestinian Territory.

Scope of Work

Specifically, the Economic Governance Consultant will:

• Under the supervision of the Rule of Law team leader the Consultant will advise on the trade regime between GoI and PA, including research and actionable recommendations towards improved implementation and/or updating of the Paris Protocol and its annexes;
• Constructively identify and highlight priorities and opportunities to address such items as “fiscal leakage” in execution of prior agreements;
• Advise on actionable recommendations on the improvement of trade relations between the PA and Jordan and Egypt;
• Advise the PA on the improvement of trade-related regulations and arrangements, including those pertaining to customs and the VAT mechanism;
• Advise and make recommendations on the advancement of key laws and regulations that promote the ease of doing business in the Palestinian territory and enable greater private-public partnerships;
• Draft background and policy papers on the above topics upon request of OQ management;
• Support the OQ’s Rule of Law team in assignments and projects which may develop over the course of this contract.

Deliverables

• Analyses and recommendations on improved implementation of PA-GOI trade arrangements, including the Paris Protocol and its annexes
• Bilateral and multilateral consultations convened
• Studies and analysis on “fiscal leakages”
• Analysis and recommendations on better bilateral collaboration on fiscal and financial issues
• Recommendations on improvement of trade between the PA, Jordan and Egypt
• Technical assistance to Federation of Industries and PSI towards the completion of application to GS1 and its submission

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:             

• An advanced degree in economic law, trade law or relevant field. 

Work Experience:

• At least 6 years of work experience international trade, economic law, economic governance and/or customs  and VAT systems,
• Preferable good knowledge of the financial and trade arrangements between the Palestinian Authority and Israel,
• knowledge of the political contexts in Israel and Palestine, 
• Familiarity with customs regulations is a plus

Language Requirements: 

• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Fluency in Arabic and/or Hebrew is an advantage. 

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International ICA Contract

Contract level: ICS 11 - IICA 3
Contract duration: One year with the possibility of extension


For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.