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 Economic Expert will provide strategic guidance, technical inputs, and coordination support across economic recovery initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

The Economic Expert will serve as the lead technical focal point for economic initiatives under the GRRDP. The expert will:

• Support economic assessments of the Gaza Strip to identify key challenges, trends, and opportunities for recovery and growth.
• Advise on the development and implementation of economic strategies that align with the national vision for sustainable development and resilience.
• Support prioritization and design of economic recovery initiatives, focusing on job creation, enterprise development, private sector revitalization, and public investment.
• Coordinate with ministries, financial institutions, donors, and private sector actors to ensure cohesion, resource mobilization, and alignment of economic programming.
• Develop monitoring frameworks to assess progress and impact of economic interventions; provide periodic analytical reports, policy briefs, and strategic recommendations.
• Contribute to the design of economic development components of key GRRDP programs and support proposal development for donor engagement.
• Promote knowledge exchange, innovation, and capacity building for national and local economic actors.

Required Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated ability to provide economic advice to senior government officials, donors, and international partners.
• Strong understanding of the economic context of Palestine, particularly Gaza, and familiarity with socio-economic development challenges in fragile settings.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders including government agencies, private sector actors, donors, and development organizations.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and communication skills in Arabic and English, with the ability to translate technical content into actionable policy recommendations.
• Proven capacity to develop strategic economic recovery frameworks and coordinate their implementation across institutions.
• Strong organizational and project management skills; experience managing economic development projects or components.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant economic modeling or data analysis tools.
• Self-motivated and results-oriented, with an inclusive and collaborative working style.
• Desirable: Willingness to travel, where 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.