Job Profile
Country Programme Senior Adviser (N1)
Country Programme
Palestine
Reference number: DK-03025-2017/PAL.02-W
1.
Preliminary
1.1. Short background:
The overall political objective of the Danish funded Palestine Country Programme is to
support the realisation of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, encompassing
the State of Israel and an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine, existing
side by side in peace and security. Denmark has maintained a strong and prolonged
engagement with Palestine since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority (PA)
following the signing of the Oslo accords in 1993 and 1995. The main development
engagement has been support to state building, good governance, economic recovery as
well as furthering human rights. In addition, Denmark, as part of the international community,
provides long term humanitarian assistance to the Palestine refugees through UNRWA.
1.2. Purpose of memo:
This memo describes the main tasks involved in the position and the qualifications requested
from candidates to the job.
1.3. Expected composition of the selection committee:
Applicants for the position will be selected for interview by the Danish Representative Office
in Ramallah. Mercuri Urval will participate in the process of appointment by conducting
personality tests and test interviews with the selected candidates, as well as taking part in the
final interview. The final interview panel consists of the Head of Cooperation/ and or
Designee from the Danish Representative Office in Ramallah, a representative from the
Department of the Middle East and North Africa in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the
consultant from Mercuri Urval A/S in charge of the recruitment process.
2.
The Country Programme in Palestine
2.1. The programme in short:
The adopted Country Policy Paper 2016-2020 and the associated Country Programme 20162020 defines Denmark’s relations with and support to the Palestinian Authority (PA). The
overall aim of the Country Programme is to contribute to state building as a prerequisite for
statehood through strengthened local governance, promotion of a sound economic basis and
with respect for human rights and democratic accountability. The formulation of the new
country programme was built on past experience and achievements attained by Denmark
through its long-term support to the PA. The envisaged programme consist of three thematic
programmes (TP): TP1: Supporting State Building Efforts; TP2: Promoting Economic
Development; and TP3: Strengthening Human Rights and Democratic Accountability. The
TPs have strategically been formulated to promote a holistic and synergised approach in
order to stimulate a broader impact towards the achievement of the stated objectives of the
Country Programme that are aligned with the PA national development plans. Collectively,
the three thematic areas will contribute specifically to the following Sustainable Development
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Goals (SDG): SDG 8, Decent work and economic growth and SDG 16, Peace, justice and
strong institutions, but they also contribute to SDG 1, No poverty and SDG 5, Gender
equality. All engagements in the Country Programme, apart from one, are implemented either
through multilateral donors, the EU, the UN and the World Bank, or through joint donor
arrangements.
TP1: Supporting State Building Efforts
Denmark has been lead donor in the local governance sector since 2009 through the
Municipal Development Programmes I & II in alignment with the PA’s vision, and in
understanding that local government units are the oldest form of functioning governance in
Palestine, which will remain, whatever the outcome of the political process pertaining to the
higher governance levels. In its proactive role in promoting state building efforts, this
programme will aim to foster effective, legitimate, and resilient local government institutions
serving Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and ensuring a continued
Palestinian presence in Area C of the West Bank. The local government units targeted under
this programme include the 138 formal municipalities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Denmark as lead donor with other like-minded donors aspire to collectively strengthen
municipalities to become more fiscally sustainable and accountable, and better able to fulfil
their mandated functions, whereby citizens will be able to enjoy improved access to services
and essential infrastructure. Danish assistance will continue to be channelled through a
World Bank Trust Fund for funding the Municipal Development Programme III. The
programme will be implemented by the Municipal Development and Lending Fund (MDLF),
which will technically support the strengthening of municipalities under the oversight of the
Ministry of Local Government. The Ministry focuses on strengthening local governance and
the regulatory framework ensuring delivery of services and basic infrastructure to the citizens.
The other facet of this thematic programme will further focus on support to Area C,
particularly to safeguarding the presence of Palestinian communities. The Area C
engagement is in response to the EU Council Conclusions from May 2012. Denmark, in
cooperation with the EU and other member states, aim to ensure that Palestinian
communities are better able to sustain their livelihoods in Area C through improved access to
basic services and infrastructure. Area C forms more than 60% of the West Bank and
constitutes the land around Area A and B, which are the urban and semi-urban areas, and is
thus necessary for a contiguous and independent Palestinian state.
TP2: Promoting Economic Development
Equally important, and in synergy with improved local governance, is the recognition of
achieving a sound economy through development of value chains based on the agricultural
sector. Denmark with other donors aim to collectively nurture more productive and efficient
small and medium scale agribusinesses, and increased agricultural sector contribution to
GDP and employment in Palestine. In support of small to medium enterprises that form the
bulk of the Palestinian business sector, Denmark with other donors and in alignment with the
PA’s vision for a better economy, will focus on increasing the opportunities of small to
medium scale farmers, producers and business owners within the agribusiness sector with a
view to contributing to a more sustainable and improved income and labour productivity in
agribusiness across Palestine.
TP3: Strengthening Human Rights and Democratic Accountability
Denmark, in close collaboration with other donors, will work in coordination with the PA to
promote transparency, equitable rights and non-discrimination in Palestine. The overall aim of
TP3 is to reinforce accountability and human rights/international humanitarian law adherence
of duty bearers and to strengthen the voice and participation of CSOs, representing rights
holders, in democratic processes - moving towards a more pluralistic and open Palestinian
society.
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The engagements under Human Rights and Democratic Accountability address two out of the
four Strategic Objectives of the National Development Plan: ‘Good governance and institution
building’ and ‘social protection and development’. The key policy priority area to which the
TP3 will respond is “to enact a democratic political apparatus, and promote community safety
on grounds of respect of human rights, integrity, transparency and accountability.” TP3 is
also in line with the ambitions shown by the PA through its ratification of a range of
international treaties (without reservations) since 2014 and indications of additional
ratifications to take place in the near future.
To contribute to this overall aim, Denmark will continue to co-fund the Independent
Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), and the Human Rights/International Humanitarian
Law (HR/IHL) Secretariat supporting civil society organisations, which represent right holders,
participate in social accountability monitoring and engage in policy dialogue and monitoring of
duty bearers on HR/IHL application. Denmark will start co-funding the State Audit and
Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB). The ICHR and SAACB contribute to state building
efforts based on rule of law and democratic values as envisaged within the PA’s national
development plans. In addition, Denmark will also continue to fund the Danish House in
Palestine to contribute to fostering cultural awareness and understanding between
Palestinians and Danes through the exchange and transfer of knowledge in the areas of
culture, cultural heritage, and media and freedom of expression.
3.
The Position
3.1. Title: Country Programme Senior Adviser (N1).
3.2. Place of service: The Danish Representative Office, Ramallah
3.3. Terms of Employment according to Danida staff rules. Below non-exhaustive brief benefits:
Contract period: 2 years. Attractive remuneration package reflecting family status.
Contribution to a pension scheme, health insurance and reimbursement of school fees. Free
removal of household goods.
3.4. Special conditions of the function:
Due to the security situation in Palestine, the adviser position will be located at the Danish
Representative Office in Ramallah, as this will provide the necessary security framework,
including transport in armoured vehicles, whenever necessary. The adviser is, however, not
part of the normal staffing of the DRO. The adviser reports to the Head of Cooperation.
Furthermore, any successful candidate would have to undergo relevant training in working in
a hostile environment, i.e. a HEAT course, provided the applicant has not already completed
such training.
3.5
Area of responsibility/tasks:
 Overall coordination of the Programme, primarily with a view to ensuring coherence
and synergy between the various engagements and between the three pillars of the
programme with special emphasis on the Human Rights and Democratic
Accountability pillar of the Country Programme;
 On an on-going basis assess possible consequences for the country programme’s
implementation in light of the political development. This is primarily to be based on
existing political reporting prepared by the political section;
 Monitoring of identified risks for active risk management within the various
engagements, both at national and local levels;
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Establish an enhanced technical policy dialogue with the Palestinian partners within
the various parts of the Programme, albeit with special emphasis on dialogue on
human rights with relevant authorities and civil society;
Work for strengthened coordination of the donors in the Human Rights sector
following Denmark’s future responsibility as lead donor of the donor consortium
funding the ICHR;
Ensure professional monitoring in terms of measuring results in the Danish supported
engagements across the country programme but with special emphasis on the
Human Rights sector;
Maintain contact to and dialogue with other donors in general on enhanced aid
effectiveness.
3.6 Success criteria:
It is expected that the incumbent will contribute to an efficient and effective implementation of
the Country Programme with emphasis on Thematic Programme 3 as basis for achieving the
overall political objective for the Danish engagement in Palestine with emphasis on policy
dialogue with national partners and other key stakeholders as a basis for achieving the
overall objective of the Danish engagement in Palestine.
4.
Demand Profile/Qualifications
4.1 Requirements and expectations concerning the candidates’ formal qualifications:
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4.2
Master’s degree in political science, law, social science or related topics;
Extensive experience working with human rights in a developmental context;
Extensive experience working in fragile situations, preferably from the Middle East
and in particular Palestine;
Previous experience in providing technical assistance and advisory services to
governments in areas such as human rights and social accountability and
governance policy reform;
Considerable experience with implementing development programmes, including
experience with performance based monitoring, monitoring and evaluation;
Considerable experience with aid and donor coordination;
Political flair and a good understanding of the complex political issues in the Middle
East;
Proficiency in the English language is required;
Good knowledge of Arabic is an asset.
Requirements and expectations concerning the personal qualifications of the candidates:
 A critical thinker, able to find innovative solutions;
 Strong analytical skills;
 Strong political acumen and good at establishing professional contacts with others;
 Independent and self-motivating with a result-oriented attitude;
 Strong interpersonal skills;
 Good abilities for team work and cooperation with partners and culturally sensitive;
 Robust personality for working in a volatile environment;
 Good verbal and written communication skills.
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5.
Recruitment Procedures
5.1
How do you apply:
Information about the mandatory application procedure can be found at:
www.danidajob.um.dk. Reference number DK-03025-2017/PAL.02-W should be stated in the
application.
5.2
Deadline for applications: 9 May 2017 at 12 noon (CEST)
5.3
Preliminary interviews and personal evaluation: 29-30 May 2017. Mercuri Urval will conduct a
personal evaluation of selected candidates.
5.4
Language test: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided that all candidates called in for
interview - except for those to whom the relevant language is mother tongue - shall be
language tested in Denmark in the working languages of the duty station (i.e. English).
5.5
Presentation to the appointments committee: 31 May 2017
5.6
Decision: A decision is expected during Week 22.
5.7
Expected commencement: October 1, 2017.
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