Housing, Land and Property (HLP) Advisor

Organizational Context

The UNOPS Middle East Region supports operations across several countries, focusing on complex development, peace, and humanitarian challenges. The role is hosted within the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) in East Jerusalem. The Advisor will collaborate with UN Country Team members, Palestinian Authority institutions, and other technical counterparts, receiving strategic guidance from UN-Habitat.

Job Purpose

The Housing, Land and Property (HLP) Advisor will enhance the integration of HLP considerations into humanitarian response, early recovery, and reconstruction efforts in Gaza and the West Bank. This role ensures interventions are rights-based and conflict-sensitive, aligning with Palestinian priorities. By providing strategic coordination, policy advice, and risk analysis, the Advisor safeguards land tenure and property rights, mitigates disputes and displacement, and promotes accountable land governance. The position aims to improve UN system coherence, support evidence-based decision-making, and establish conditions for sustainable recovery, social stability, and long-term resilience.

Responsibilities

The HLP Advisor will support the Resident Coordinator in strategically focusing on HLP for humanitarian response and reconstruction in Gaza, while addressing West Bank land administration complexities. Responsibilities include providing technical guidance on HLP issues, monitoring evolving contexts and risks, and advising on political developments. The role facilitates a coherent UN approach to engaging with the Palestinian Authority and stakeholders, updating the Strategic HLP Framework, and leading HLP project development under the UN Trust Fund. The Advisor will also engage with humanitarian actors and partners, represent the RCO in coordination platforms, monitor the impact of recovery activities on HLP rights, assess emerging governance arrangements, and develop HLP risk assessments. Additionally, the role involves preparing written analyses and supporting consultative meetings and field missions.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in housing, land, and property rights, land governance, and administration within conflict-affected or displacement settings is required, preferably in the Middle East. A strong understanding of land information systems and property records is also necessary. Experience with government counterparts, international organizations, civil society, and UN coordination structures is desirable.

Skills

Land Administration, Partnerships, Technical Communication, Recovery and Resolution Planning, Risk Analysis, Stakeholder Engagement, Policy Advice.

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