Deputy Head of Mission

Duty Station: East Jerusalem with Travel to WB & Gaza

Application Deadline: 28 July 2021

Women are encouraged to Apply

The mandate of the Office of the Quartet (OQ) is to increase Palestinian economic and institutional development and empowerment. In the event of a resumption of final status negotiations, the OQ would support Quartet members in their efforts to realize a successful outcome.

The Deputy Head of Mission of the Office of Quartet is a senior leadership position with a wide range of management and high-level policy responsibilities. The successful candidate will provide strategic advice to the Head of Mission (HoM) of the Office of Quartet , working closely with the Director of Finance and Operations and with the support of the Senior Coordination Officer, and will represent the Office of Quartet widely. This is a senior, demanding, full-time position based in Jerusalem, requiring excellent representational and management skills. There will be a need for regular travel within the West Bank, Gaza, Israel and abroad.

A background in the context of the Middle East Peace Process and experience working on the ground will be needed to establish credibility with the parties and the full array of national, regional and international actors.

The Deputy Head of Mission is a position with a high level of responsibility in driving the substantive work of the office, preparing the ground politically, and representing the Office of Quartet with stakeholders and interlocutors. With the support of the Senior Coordination Officer (SCO), and reporting to the HoM the DHoM will:

1. Provide political advice and substantive input to the HoM on all issues related to the Office of Quartet
   ’s work and the broader local and regional political and economic context. This will include supporting the HoM in the leadership of the substantive, external, work of the Office, and acting as a visible and accountable leader in the management and governance of the office and its staff.

2. Engage the parties, the international community and all other key actors regarding all aspects of the Office of Quartet
   ’s mission; this will include substantive and sensitive engagement with the parties to progress key OQ files as well as engagement with donors, Quartet Members and interested parties on the work of the Office of Quartet in its broader context;

3. With the HoM, guide the work of each of the five Office of Quartet teams, Rule of Law, Movement and Trade, Energy, Water and Telecommunications, with supervisory responsibilities to be agreed with the successful candidate;

4. Build and maintain regular and constructive contact with senior representatives of the Quartet members, donors to the OQ and other member states;

5. Oversee, at a strategic level, all administrative functions of the Office of Quartet related to budgeting, finance, human resources, and other operational functions. The work is of a highly confidential nature and the DHOM must maintain the highest standards of confidentiality;

6. With the support of the Senior Coordination Officer, Chair the Operations Management Group, consisting of the HoM, Director of Finance and Operations and the Senior Coordination Officer;

7. Chair Team meetings in the absence of the Head of Mission;

8. Oversee the work of the Senior Coordination Officer in the development, implementation, and deliverables of the OQ’s strategy and priority projects across all five strategic pillars;

9. Through building strong relationships with donors, secure new and ongoing funding to ensure the long-term financial and political sustainability of the office;

10. Serve as acting Head of Mission in the absence of the HoM

Education:
Advanced university degree in political science, international relations, economics or relevant field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience:

• A minimum of ten (10)years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressively responsible experience in political affairs, international relations, law, economic development, development management or conflict resolution is required

• At least 5 years of relevant management experience in knowledge-based and/or politically complex organizations is required.

• Experience working on the Middle East Peace Process and/or with the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority and other key actors is required.

• An extensive record of work on political issues, economic development, diplomacy and advisory work on both the policy and operational level is required.

• Experience of working in a conflict/post-conflict country and facilitating progress between the parties in the conflict is a distinct advantage

• Proven track record of successful leadership experience in a complex context(s) is required.

Language:

• Excellent command of written and spoken English.

• Knowledge of Arabic and/or Hebrew is an asset