Programme Specialist

UNDP Careers; Palestine Township (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

UNDP Careers in Gaza is seeking a Programme Specialist to lead and coordinate economic recovery and development initiatives amid complex humanitarian and development challenges. The role focuses on strategic planning, policy advice, partnership building, and results-based management to advance resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

You will work under the Gaza Office, collaborating with UN agencies, government partners and donors, overseeing budget, monitoring, and reporting, and ensuring

Job description

Tiered ApproachIn Line With The Commitment To Safeguard Capacity And Support Personnel Already In The Organization, a Majority Of UNDP UNCDF/UNV Vacancies Are Advertised Using a Tiered Application Process Whereby

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Job DescriptionIn Line With The Commitment To Safeguard Capacity And Support Personnel Already In The Organization, a Majority Of UNDP UNCDF/UNV Vacancies Are Advertised Using a Tiered Application Process Whereby

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Office/Unit/Project DescriptionThe Gaza Strip is experiencing one of the most severe humanitarian and development crises in recent history. The escalation of hostilities since October 2023 has caused unprecedented destruction and loss of life, exacerbating decades of blockade, recurrent conflict, and socio-economic decline. More than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed, 1.7 million displaced, and over 60% of housing units destroyed or damaged. Basic services—including electricity, health, water and sanitation, and education—are near collapse, with hospitals overwhelmed, schools repurposed as shelters, and widespread outbreaks of disease. Food insecurity has reached catastrophic levels, with the entire population facing crisis or worse conditions. The war has also devastated Gaza’s economy, leading to massive job losses and worsening poverty, while undermining the delivery of essential services.

Against this backdrop, the United Nations Development Programme / Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) brings over four decades of experience in early recovery, reconstruction, and resilience-building in the occupied Palestinian territory. Since its establishment in 1978, UNDP/PAPP has invested more than $1.7 billion in infrastructure, livelihoods, governance, and resilience, with a proven track record in post-conflict recovery in Gaza, including large-scale rubble removal and livelihood restoration efforts after previous wars. UNDP acts as an integrator, convening multiple partners—including UN agencies, civil society, and the private sector—to link short-term humanitarian relief with long-term development pathways.

Recent and ongoing initiatives build on this foundation. The Gaza Early Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience Programme (GERP) provides an integrated response across three pillars: restoration of essential infrastructure and services; inclusive economic recovery; and support for governance and social cohesion. A flagship component is large‑scale debris and rubble removal and reuse, prioritizing safety, community engagement, and recycling for reconstruction.

Complementing this, the Gaza Economic Resilience Programme (ERP) (2023–2026) focuses on longer-term economic transformation, targeting employment promotion, MSME development, and business‑enabling reforms. ERP addresses structural barriers such as the blockade, restricted trade, limited access to finance and technology, weak business environment, and gender disparities, aiming to restore Gaza’s productive base and strengthen resilience. These programmes build on the legacy of the Deprived Families Economic Empowerment Programme (DEEP), launched in 2007, which pioneered linking social protection to economic empowerment. DEEP successfully engaged vulnerable households in sustainable livelihoods, shifting from aid dependency to active participation in economic development, and establishing models for microenterprise support, inclusive targeting, and poverty reduction.

Building on lessons from previous interventions (e.g., DEEP, ERP, and GERP) and drawing inspiration from the Temporary Basic Income (TBI) and socio‑economic recovery frameworks, UNDP is currently evolving the programme to best fit the current and future needs in Gaza, in close coordination with the Palestinian Government, with a focus on immediate humanitarian relief while laying the foundations for inclusive, green, and resilient development. Special emphasis will be placed on rebuilding Gaza’s ecosystem for livelihoods and private sector recovery, restoring dignity through jobs, and creating conditions for sustainable peace.

Scope of Work

The Incumbent Will Undertake The Following Functions

• Substantively contribute to formulation and implementation of UNDP programme strategies and policies:
• Contribute to analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country; and contribute collaborative inputs to the UN Common Country Assessment and Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNCCA and UNSDCF) as well as to the preparation/revision of the Country Programme Document (CPD), Integrated Work Plan (IWP) and other strategic documents.
• Contribute to operationalizing UNSDCF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies.
• Ensure implementation of relevant programme Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the effectiveness of the PAPP business processes.
• Analyze and synthesize proposals in assigned programme areas.
• Ensure effective management of the programme within the assigned thematic/sector areas focusing on quality assurance and risk management from formulation to implementation of the economic recovery programme.
• Contribute to design and formulation of programme, translate UNDP priorities into local interventions, and oversee programme implementation with the implementing partners within the assigned programme areas. Ensure that design and formulation of programme considers societal digital technology risks and opportunities and other future signals.
• Oversee planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the assigned programme areas; and track use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Ensure digital technology solutions in programme implementation are managed towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards.
• Ensure effective application of results‑based management tools and track achievement of strategic results.
• Ensure the effective use of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle; and ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and learning on programme impact.
• Support trends analysis for future informed and anticipatory programming.
• Follow up on audit recommendations and ensure the implementation of management responses.
• Prepare and aggregate reports on activities, outputs and outcomes, including donor and corporate reports.
• Support to the rollout of new initiatives and programmes including through presentation of the project to PAC; finalize contribution agreements; and determine required revisions.
• Ensure creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy.
• Develop partnerships with the UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, donors, private sector, and civil society in assigned programme/ thematic areas.
• Identify strategic programme areas of cooperation including for joint programming.
• Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new projects, and substantively contribute to Country office resource mobilization efforts.
• Support development of portfolios and Country office pipeline including through the design of Programme/Project documents, concept notes, proposals, and cross‑sectoral coordination in assigned areas to bring resources for projects
• Ensure provision of top‑quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
• Identify policy‑driven issues; and identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
• Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high‑impact advocacy with key partners.
• Provide substantive support in the development of policies and institutions to address country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
• Provide input so that policy advisory contributes to inclusive societal digital transformation and takes digital technology risks and opportunities or futures signals into account.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
• Organize training for the operations/ projects staff on programme related matters in assigned areas

ONLY CURRENT PALESTINIAN NATIONALS AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT IN GAZA STRIP AND WILLING TO WORK AND TRAVEL THROUGHOUT VARIOUS CITIES IN THE STRIP ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION. ALL OTHER APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

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

Institutional ArrangementIn this context, the Programme Specialist will work under the guidance of the Head of Gaza Office and the supervision of the Head of Programme. S/he works in close collaboration with the programme team, technical advisors and experts, UN agencies, multi‑lateral and bi‑lateral donors, and civil society to implement the economic recovery programme. S/he provides quality technical support to partners in his or her area of work. The incumbent will supervise two project Managers.

Competencies

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core: Full list of UNDP Core Competencies can be found here

Achieve Results

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously

LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with DeterminationLEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner

LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter‑agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site .

Cross‑Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies)

Thematic Area Name Definition

Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

2030 Agenda: Prosperity Gender Women's economic empowerment

Business Direction and Strategt System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process orsystem, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

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 keystakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment ...

2030 Agenda: Prosperity Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility

• Economic Recovery

2030 Agenda: Prosperity Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility

• Economic Transition in post‑crisis settings

2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness Effectiveness

• Project Quality Assurance

Min. Education Requirements

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required. OR
• A first‑level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Min. Years Of Relevant Work Experience

• Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services, hands‑on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios and projects in a related thematic area.

Required Skills

• Previous experience of working on economic recovery programmes.
• Solid knowledge on result‑based management and project implementation.
• Experience working in conflict or transition context.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), working knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, and experience in the handling of web‑based management systems.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Experience from previous UN assignments and/or multilateral and bi‑lateral aid organizations would be an asset
• Previous experience on partnership and resource mobilization is an asset.
• Experience at the national level in providing management advisory services, hands‑on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects is an asset.
• Proven experience in handling multi‑sectoral coordination among professionals and regional teams is desired.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required – both written and oral.

Professional Certificates N/A

Equal opportunityAs an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authorityUNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidatesUNDP 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.

Use of AI by candidatesApplicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection