Director – Economic Development

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.

The OQ’s Economic Development (ED) Team’s key objective is to expand Palestinian economic output, primarily through addressing trade and production challenges (both at the policy and practical levels) negatively impacting economic growth. The work is based on close collaboration with a range of stakeholders and actors to identify challenges and opportunities and converge around common targets, approaches and strategic initiatives. 

The role represents a senior and central leadership position within the OQ, requiring high-level engagement with a wide range of stakeholders in the political, technical and diplomatic communities, including Ministers, Ambassadors, and senior government officials. The role is expected to lead a program central to the advancement of Palestinian economic and institutional development and empowerment, working within a challenging and rewarding environment.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Mission (HoM) / Deputy Head of Mission (DHoM), the Director – Economic Development (DoED), leads the ED strategy, work-streams and partnerships, also ensuring OQ program / team collaboration. DoED is responsible and accountable for the overall management of the team, strategic direction, and assuring the timely implementation of initiatives and other deliverables undertaken by the OQ.

The DoED will lead development of ED strategy, program and implementation, along with ED team, within the below scope. 

• Strategic Leadership 

• Sectoral Policy and Strategic Focus

• Stakeholder engagement, coordination and communication 

• Cross Program / Team Collaboration

• Resources Management

The work is of a highly confidential nature and the DoED must maintain the highest standards of confidentiality.

Working under the supervision of the HoM / DHoM, and in close collaboration with the other directors & the wider OQ team, the DoED is responsible for achieving OQ strategy through the following deliverables. 

Strategic Leadership

• Shape and lead OQ’s ED program in alignment with OQ objectives 

• Develop the OQ’s ED strategy, including development of relevant and innovative initiatives 

• Advise the HoM, D/HoM on measures to support the Palestinian economy considering technical, economic, and political factors in the Palestinian, Israeli, and regional contexts

• Lead implementation of ED strategy through prioritizing and planning of resources

• Lead implementation of ED new initiatives ensuring integration and sustainability

• Ensure right value proposition and program positioning for OQ ED Program among sector stakeholders

• Contribute towards OQ funding proposals 

Sectoral Policy and Strategic Focus 

• Maintain a strong policy and strategic focus on key economic sectors such as trade and industry.

• Monitor and analyze key developments, including policy developments, using relevant analytics and economic metrics.

• Lead the development of policy papers and strategic documents 

• Provide strategic insights and recommendations based on comprehensive data analysis

• Keep abreast of relevant local and regional developments as well as related developments in other sectors so as to provide comprehensive insights and recommendations.

• Identify, prioritize and decide the OQ ED workstreams in consultation with HoM/DHoM

• Develop and facilitate the implementation of ED workstreams and initiatives that foster economic growth and stability

• Identify and prepare transition plans for workstreams as they develop sufficiently to be led by other stakeholders

• Ensure ED’s program, products and outputs are of highest quality 

Stakeholder engagement, coordination and communication 

• Develop OQ ED stakeholder engagement strategy and maintain effective partnership with Palestinian Authority, the Government of Israel, the international community, and the private sector

• Identify and maintain a strong network of stakeholders

• Lead or support high-level stakeholder coordination and collaboration, enabling OQ ED program delivery

• Responsible for timely and effective production of communication material (such as AHLC and other reports, funding proposals, briefing notes and presentations) for internal and external purposes

• Provide regular updates and presentations to stakeholders at relevant forums

Cross Program / Team Collaboration

• Contribute to integrated planning, action, and strategy development across different teams

• Work closely with other teams within the OQ to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach to addressing multi-sector issues.

• Effective utilization of OQs office-wide resources, including the Economist of ED team, to build and leverage on common knowledge 

• Lead the OQ’s ED Team, including planning, implementing, guidance and oversight

• Establish team performance standards and carry out performance evaluations

• Establish skills & competencies required to deliver the ED program; meet the needs through learning 

• Foster a productive and positive team environment that encourages innovation and excellence

• Develop the ED Team’s budget ensuring risks are adequately covered

• Ensure effective management of financial resources allocated to the ED program

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.