Strategic Advisor - Housing Sector Assessment (Retainer)

Organizational Context

UNOPS Middle East Region supports operations across several countries, fostering strategic partnerships for sustainable development. UN-Habitat, the UN agency for human settlements, promotes sustainable urban development globally. The Palestine office implements projects focused on urbanization, development, and rehabilitation, aiming to enhance community resilience and improve living conditions through planning, land, and housing initiatives.

Job Purpose

The Strategic Advisor will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the housing sector in Palestine, analyzing the profound impacts of recent conflicts in Gaza and escalations in the West Bank. This role involves an extensive literature review and stakeholder consultations to understand current challenges, including housing loss, displacement, and access issues. The advisor will integrate findings into the National Urban Policy (NUP), ensuring it reflects contemporary realities while maintaining its long-term vision. The ultimate goal is to provide actionable recommendations to inform the development of a robust housing policy for the State of Palestine, promoting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban development.

Responsibilities

Conduct a thorough literature review on Palestine's housing sector, analyzing existing studies, policies, and strategies. Perform a detailed situational analysis, examining the implications of events in Gaza and the West Bank on housing, including damage, displacement, and access restrictions. Identify key gaps, challenges, and emerging trends, with a specific focus on gender and social inclusion, analyzing differential access, barriers to ownership, and disparities across geographic contexts. Assess environmental and climate dimensions, exploring risks and opportunities for green housing approaches. Develop a comprehensive housing sector report covering supply, demand, affordability, land tenure, institutional frameworks, and the roles of various sectors. Review and update the National Urban Policy (NUP) to integrate current housing realities while preserving its strategic vision. Conduct stakeholder consultations with relevant institutions and experts to validate findings, identify priorities, and ensure alignment with national strategies. Propose policy adjustments, cross-cutting considerations, and quick-win interventions for the housing sector.

Work Experience

Requires a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in urban policy, national development planning, or post-conflict recovery. Demonstrated experience in housing sector analysis and policy development is essential. Strong knowledge of the Palestinian governance and planning framework is highly desirable, as is proven experience in literature reviews, policy analysis, and multi-stakeholder consultations.

Skills

ArcGIS, Communication, Microsoft Office, Reporting, Time Management

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