Organization Mission

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 Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC) is the central governmental body in Palestine responsible for strategic planning, policy formulation, and coordinating international cooperation efforts. Established to guide national development priorities, MoPIC plays a critical role in aligning government strategies with international standards and donor frameworks. Its mandate includes facilitating cross-sectoral planning, resource mobilization, and policy integration across various governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.

As part of UNDP support to MOPIC under the Italian-funded “Supporting Gaza Recovery, Reconstruction, and Development Planning”, a Gaza Reconstruction Unit (GRU) will be established. Operating under the umbrella of the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC), the GRU is tasked with translating the Gaza Recovery, Reconstruction and Development Plan (GRRP) into technical programs and projects. As part of this structure, the Social and Livelihood Expert will support the development and implementation of policies and programs to re-establish quality social services and promote sustainable livelihoods for affected populations. This role requires strong coordination with ministries, NGOs, and development partners to ensure service delivery is inclusive, responsive, and strategically aligned with national priorities.

Key Responsibilities

The Social and Livelihood Expert will serve as the lead technical focal point for the planning and design of social and livelihood components under the GRRDP. The expert will:

• Lead the design and integration of social service and livelihood components into the Gaza Recovery Plan, ensuring alignment with national standards and priorities.
• Develop inclusive project frameworks addressing education, health, social protection, and poverty alleviation, with specific attention to vulnerable groups (e.g., people with disabilities, orphans).
• Coordinate with line ministries, local actors, and international partners to align service provision efforts and mobilize necessary technical and financial resources.
• Provide policy advice on social sector reform and delivery models appropriate for a post-conflict setting, including gender-sensitive and community-based approaches.
• Support capacity building of local institutions and service providers to improve outreach, quality, and efficiency of services.
• Monitor the implementation of social service initiatives and assess their contribution to the overall recovery and resilience of the affected communities.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and best practices across government and non-governmental service delivery actors.

Required Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated understanding of the Palestinian social service landscape, with working knowledge of national policies, regulatory frameworks, and institutional actors.
• Proven capacity to lead cross-sectoral social recovery planning and to coordinate multisector teams.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations and designing inclusive, community-driven social interventions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Arabic and English, with ability to produce high-quality technical documents and policy recommendations.
• Proficient in project planning, management, and monitoring tools; capable of overseeing multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Familiarity with donor frameworks, humanitarian-development nexus approaches, and localization principles.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and facilitation skills; ability to build trust and collaboration across diverse institutions.
• Competency in Microsoft Office applications and digital collaboration platforms.
• Desirable: Willingness to travel, when feasible, to Gaza and Cairo.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Planning and organizing
• Professionalism
• Self-management
• Communication
• Team building
• Innovation and Problem Solving

Living Conditions

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 12-month contract with subsequent contract extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of ILS 9,441 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.