The Israeli – Palestinian conflict remains a protracted and complex conflict. While political efforts are pursued at various levels to bring the wider conflict to an end, it is essential that progress be made on the ground in a manner that will create a more conducive environment for final status negotiations.
The mandate of the Office of the Quartet is to increase Palestinian institutional and economic development and empowerment, as a support towards achieving a two-state solution. 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 OQ works to deliver its mandate by supporting sustainable policy change through working with the international community, the Palestinian Authority and the Government of Israel. This allows the OQ to facilitate engagement between the parties, encouraging agreement and progress at the political level, while also drawing on its sectoral expertise to support the technical-level work. A key focus of working with the international community is to strengthen the engagement with the parties. This is achieved through facilitating and supporting international community discussions at various levels towards tangible action and ownership as well as providing technical expertise for a collective international community wide approach.
The OQ is a fast paced and dynamic office operating in the areas of infrastructure, governance and economic development. The following strategic principles guide the OQ’s work to support the parties while also ensuring alignment with the strategic objectives of the Quartet members and donors to the OQ.
Bridging between the parties and providing creative solutions that enable progress on the ground;
Playing a catalytic role in working towards sectoral solutions in partnership with other actors, while taking on direct responsibility for specific elements of those solutions when the Office is well positioned and requested to do so;
Focusing on policies and projects that have a multiplier effect – that is, an outcome that extends beyond the direct output of the policy or project;
Focusing on the implementation of agreements reached and announcements made by the parties to ensure that they are translated as quickly as possible into results that have a positive impact on people’s lives;
Maintaining the vertical depth of our work from the granular, technical level to the strategic and political level while engaging the broad array of actors required to make progress, including the parties, members of the international community and others;
Ensuring complementarity of the OQ’s work with that of other key actors, including those which also play a convening role;
Continuing support to Quartet members
The OQ’s infrastructure program’s objective is to support secure, affordable and sustainable Palestinian energy and water sectors. We address structural needs, ensuring sustainability and economic viability, both at the policy and practical levels. Energy, water and wastewater apply a nexus approach across supply and transmission networks. The work is based on close collaboration with a range of stakeholders and actors to identify challenges and opportunities and converge around common targets, approaches and strategic initiatives.
The role of Senior Director – Infrastructure (SD-I) represents a senior and central leadership position within the OQ. The SD-I will lead development of infrastructure strategies across the two sectors of energy and water. The SD-I will identify and capitalize on synergies across the sectors, looking to deliver high quality and value adding work in the sectors. The SD-I will also lead high-level engagement with a wide range of stakeholders in the political, technical and diplomatic communities, including Ministers, Ambassadors, and senior government officials, ensuring a program central to the advancement of Palestinian economic and institutional development and empowerment, working within a challenging and rewarding environment.
SD-I reports to the OQ Head of Mission (HoM). Under the overall supervision of HoM and close collaboration with the Deputy Head of Mission (DHoM), the SD-I will lead the strategy across the two sectors, work-streams and partnerships, also ensuring wider OQ program / team collaboration. The SD-I is responsible and accountable for the overall management of a multidisciplinary team, with Senior Advisor – Infrastructure, Associate Advisor – Infrastructure, Unit Coordinator and two Senior Analysts reporting to him/her. The SD-I will also ensure timely implementation of initiatives and other deliverables undertaken by the OQ
Working under the supervision of the HoM, and in close collaboration with the DHoM, other directors & the wider OQ team, the SD-I, is responsible for achieving OQ strategy through the following deliverables.
Strategic Leadership
Shape and lead OQ’s infrastructure program in alignment with OQ objectives
Develop the OQ’s infrastructure strategy, across the sectors of energy and water, including development of relevant and innovative initiatives
Advise the HoM on measures to support the Palestinian economy considering technical, economic, and political factors in the Palestinian, Israeli, and regional contexts
Lead implementation of Infrastructure strategy through prioritizing and planning of resources
• Lead implementation of Infrastructure initiatives ensuring integration and sustainability
Ensure right value proposition and program positioning for OQ Infrastructure Program among sector stakeholders
Contribute towards OQ funding proposals
Sectoral Policy and Strategic Focus
Maintain a strong policy and strategic focus on the energy and water sectors as well as their impact on wider economic sectors such as trade and industry.
Monitor and analyze key developments, including policy developments, using relevant analytics and economic metrics.
Lead the development of policy papers and strategic documents
Provide strategic insights and recommendations based on comprehensive data analysis
Keep abreast of relevant local and regional developments as well as related developments in other sectors so as to provide comprehensive insights and recommendations.
Identify, prioritize and decide the OQ Infrastructure workstreams in consultation with HoM/DHoM
Develop and facilitate the implementation of Infrastructure workstreams and initiatives that foster economic growth and stability
Identify and prepare transition plans for workstreams as they develop sufficiently to be led by other stakeholders
Ensure Infrastructure’s program, products and outputs are of highest quality
Stakeholder engagement, coordination and communication
Develop OQ infrastructure stakeholder engagement strategy and maintain effective partnership with Palestinian Authority, the Government of Israel, the international community, and the private sector
Identify, develop and maintain a strong network of stakeholders across the infrastructure portfolio with identified roles for the infrastructure team
Lead or support high-level stakeholder coordination and collaboration, enabling OQ infrastructure program delivery
Lead and support high level coordination and collaboration, including at international forums, representing all sectors of the OQ and enabling cross-sectoral program delivery
Lead and support media engagements, at the request of HoM, on OQ infrastructure efforts
Responsible for timely and effective production of communication material (such as AHLC and other reports, funding proposals, briefing notes and presentations) for internal and external purposes
Provide regular updates and presentations to stakeholders at relevant local, regional and international forums
Cross Program / Team Collaboration
Contribute to integrated planning, action, and strategy development across different teams
Work closely with other teams within the OQ to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated approach to addressing multi-sector issues.
Effective utilization of OQs office-wide resources to build and leverage on common knowledge
Resources Management
Lead the OQ’s infrastructure team, including planning, implementing, guidance and oversight
Establish team performance standards and carry out performance evaluations
Establish skills & competencies required to deliver the infrastructure program; meet the needs through learning
Foster a productive and positive team environment that encourages innovation and excellence
Develop the Infrastructure Team’s budget ensuring risks are adequately covered
Ensure effective management of financial resources allocated to the infrastructure program
