Chief of Staff

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.

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;

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;

The Chief of Staff is a senior position with a wide range of high-level policy, representation, and management responsibilities. As a key member of the Management Team, the CoS will report to the HoM and will:

• Be responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the OQ team;
• Work with Team Leaders in ensuring effective coordination among teams and sectors;
• Chair meetings of senior and junior staff as necessary;
• Advise HoM in the development, quality and deliverables of the OQ strategy and work plan;
• Work closely with the DFO on matters related to budget, HR, internal planning, security, and recruiting;
• Be responsible for overall oversight of the progress and implementation of the OQ work plan;
• Oversee all briefing materials, publications and reports related to OQ plan;
• Lead in preparing and coordinating all monitoring and evaluation reports, including those disseminated to OQ donors and key stakeholders, in particular the four members of the Quartet;
• Advise HoM on political and policy developments;
• Supervises the Economic Mapping team and supports a smooth transition – where agreed – of functions and tools to the Palestinian Authority;
• Liaise with international donor and diplomatic community, PA and GoI on OQ work plan and related matters;
• Coordinate OQ fund-raising efforts with international community;
• Advise HoM in determining strategic staffing needs and opportunities based on OQs strategic objectives;
• Work with the Director of Finance and Operations to deal with sensitive personnel and management issues;
• Ensure effective functioning of coherent communications structures and systems are in place;
• Be responsible for ensuring teams and staff members follow the staff handbook and related procedures, and take lead in amending internal documents.

The CoS will be responsible for the following deliverables:

• Effective day-to-day functioning and internal coordination of the Office;
• Pro-active and hands-on oversight that promotes timely and effective planning and implementation of the OQ work plan;
• High quality and fit-for-purpose briefing materials, publications and monitoring and evaluation reports;
• Continuous and pro-active political and policy advice to HoM including on stakeholder management;
• Effective representation and outreach of OQ towards GoI, PA and the international community.

• At least 7 years of relevant work experience in economic development and/or diplomacy is required.
• At least 5 years of relevant management experience in knowledge-based and/or politically complex organizations is required.
• Proven track record of successful leadership experience in complex organizations.
• Experience in the region and/or regarding the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is a distinct advantage.

• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of Arabic and/or Hebrew is an asset.

Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement - LICA or International ICA Contract Agreement

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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.