Background

The United Nations Development Programme/Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP), in cooperation with the Inter-Parliamentary Union, implements an European Union-funded project with the objective to strengthen the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Secretariat to support the PLC as the democratically elected legislative body within the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). The PLC is responsible for establishing the legislative framework as well as overseeing the PNA in order to ensure transparent, effective and accountable governance. Since 2007, the PLC Legislative Function has been frozen due to the political divide in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), while the PLC Secretariat has remained operational. The project will assist the PLC Secretariat in preparing for the resumption parliamentary work, in developing its internal administrative functions and processes as well as in conducting specifically designed activities to be implemented even in the current absence of a functioning PLC, such as outreach and visibility activities. Specifically, the project will address the following issues: 

  • Support the institutional development of the PLC Secretariat to fulfil its role as a neutral and modern parliamentary Secretariat;
  • Review of parliamentary Administrative and Operational structures and procedures against international best practices;
  • Review effectiveness of the legislative process and legislative drafting capacities; including the development of proposals to process legislation passed by Presidential decree in absence of a functioning PLC and to address the issue of the divergent legal framework in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip; 
  • Embed policy analysis and executive oversight functions in the parliamentary process and strengthen the respective support capacities of the PLC Secretariat;and 
  • Strengthen the outreach and public relations capacities of the PLC Secretariat both in quality and in substance by reviewing the PLC Secretariat’s existing communication and outreach strategies, by reviewing the transparency and openness of parliamentary processes including the functioning of the complaints bureau and by introducing regular outreach activities targeting students among others.

To attain these objectives, the project will provide organizational and individual capacity development.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall direction of the Senior Technical Specialist/Team Leader and the Programme Analyst, who is primarily responsible for quality oversight and first-line response to programmatic activities, (work plans and budgets) as a secondary supervisor, the key role of the Technical Advisor is to bring an understanding and experience of parliamentary procedures to the project and in so doing provide guidance and advice in the developing and planning of activities. S/he will work closely with the Senior Technical Adviser/Team Leader, the project team and key senior secretariat staff in the implementation of activities of the project. Under the overall guidance of the Senior Technical Adviser/Team Leader will perform the following duties and responsibilities: 
  • Provide regular consultation and technical assistance to PLC secretariat staff.
  • Plan and conduct activities in line with the action description.
  • Organize and conduct training and capacity building for PLC staff in cooperation with other project staff and international short-term parliamentary experts.
  • Prepare, coordinate and follow-up on project activities and missions of short-term experts; 
  • In close cooperation with the National Coordinator and Project Associate, produce written reports on project activities as outlined in the action-description.
  • Draft and/or edit agendas, terms of reference, training and briefing materials, for trainings and conferences;
  • Manage and oversee project activities as assigned by the Senior Technical Adviser/Team Leader;
  • Support the National Coordinator/Deputy Team Leader in production of handbooks, preparation of study visits and conferences;
  • Ensure visibility of the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme;
  • Any other tasks as assigned by the Senior Technical Adviser/Team Leader.
Impact of Results:
The activity will help the PLC Secretariat to be thoroughly prepared for the critical first six months of resumption of parliamentary work, ranging from operational-administrative tasks and procedural requirements to specific capacity-development and communication needs that will have to be addressed. The support will ensure that the PLC Secretariat can provide non-partisan and effective services to the parliament and serve as a stabilizing factor in a potentially volatile environment upon resumption of parliamentary work. Therefore, the activity will also propose different scenarios for consideration that allow for a realistic and constitutionally consistent parliamentary review of legislation passed by Presidential decree during the absence of a functioning PLC as well as proposals on how to address the issue of the divergent legal frameworks in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip;
In a more general perspective, the activity will attain the following results:
  • The PLC Secretariat's institutional capacity is measurably improved both in its administrative functioning and its parliamentary service delivery through process review, capacity-development and the upgrade of IT equipment; 
  • The parliamentary rules of procedure as well as other legal provisions affecting the parliament as institution and the rights and duties of PLC Members are reviewed and, insofar necessary, proposals for approximation with international best practices are developed for consideration upon resumption of parliamentary work;
  • The PLC's previous performance in the legislative process is analysed with a view on improving its transparency, effectiveness and efficiency, taking into account a professional interaction between government and parliament as well as possible consultations with civil society and general public in the process. The PLC Secretariat's capacities to provide effective procedural, substantive and legal advice in the legislative process will be improved;
  • The capacity of the PLC Secretariat to provide policy advice,  regulatory and financial impact analyses, general research and comparative analyses is improved;
  • The executive oversight functions of the PLC are reviewed and, insofar necessary, proposals to increase their effectiveness through procedural amendments and a more effective support by the PLC Secretariat developed;
  • The PLC Secretariat has developed and implemented a sustainable communication and outreach strategy, including a modern, transparent and responsive web-site and other communication tools, launched visiting and parliamentary simulation programs mainly targeted at students and considered proposals to bring the parliament, its Members and the legislative process closer to the citizens;
  • The PLC's function to respond to citizens' petitions is reviewed and its efficiency and effectiveness improved insofar necessary;

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN values and ethical standards 
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP 
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability 
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism 
  • Excellent analytical and organizational skills

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

  • Promotes a knowledge-sharing and learning culture in the PAPP office
  • In-depth knowledge on development issues 
  • Ability to advocate and provide policy advice 
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills 
  • Knowledge of UNDP / UN policies and programmes in crisis and post-crisis situations 
  • Knowledge of UNDP / UN regulations, rules, policies, procedures and practices; operations

Development and Operational Effectiveness

  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting 
  • Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources 
  • Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office software and experience with web-based management systems 
  • Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and effect staff behavioural/ attitude change

Leadership and Self-Management

  • Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback 
  • Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills 
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude 
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills 
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors 
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure 
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Strong oral and written communication skills

  • Communicates effectively with staff at all levels of the organization. 
  • Acts with tact and diplomacy. 
  • Proves outgoing and comfortable in handling external relations at all levels. 
  • Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors. 
  • Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure. 
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 
  • An advanced degree in political or social science/law, public administration or other relevant subject.  
Experience: 
  • Three years work experience in a parliamentary institution, including in-depth understanding of, and experiences with processes and procedures of parliament.
  • Practical experience in advisory capacity and management of projects and programs on good governance and/or parliamentary business. 
  • Experience with delivery of presentations on parliament related subjects
  • Project management experience.
  • Experience in substantive preparation of conferences, seminars and workshops.
  • Familiarity with the occupied Palestinian territories and the Middle East region and its political background is considered an asset. 
  • Ability to interact and establish and maintain good and effective working relations with all relevant parties.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multicultural/multinational/multi-stakeholder setting and demonstrable ability to motivate people and work in a team environment is essential.
  • Ability to work effectively under pressure and in a highly political environment is required.
Language Requirements:
  • Excellent command of written and spoken English is essential.
  • Knowledge of Arabic is considered an asset.