occupied Palestinian territory: Deputy Director of UNRWA Operations (Programmes), P-5 Gaza

Vacancy Announcement
Deputy Director of UNRWA Operations (Programmes), P-5
Gaza
Deadline for Applications
27 August 2018
(20 August 2018 for internal applicants)
Duration
2 years, with the possibility of further extension
Vacancy Announcement Number
18-FO-GA-43
UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified women.
UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.
UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed professionals wishing to make a change.
Palestine refugees in Gaza
The Gaza Strip is home to a population of approximately 1.3 million Palestine refugees out of a population of around 1.9 million people. It has one of the highest population densities in the world. Recurrent conflict, restrictions on the movement of people and goods, political uncertainty, and dilapidated public infrastructure constitute the backdrop of a steadily declining socioeconomic situation. Gaza has been the subject of not only the occupation but also the blockade over the last ten years further reducing the possibilities for coping. UNRWA is the international organization responsible for the Palestine refugees and delivers education, health and mental health care, relief and social services, livelihood, microcredit and emergency assistance. UNRWA’s responsibilities and role in Gaza are unique representing with over 12.500 staff in some 300 facilities involved in supporting all aspects of the life of the refugees.
Do you want to make a lasting difference?
If you are passionate about making a difference in all aspects of one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, in this role, you will be part of the leadership team, contribute to the Field’s programme development, strategic and operational plans and budgets, guide and direct specialist staff, respond to emerging needs, manage staff performance and ensure optimal use of resources. You will, in conjunction with senior colleagues, liaise with external interlocutors including UN agencies, government representatives, the refugee community and civil society.
The main responsibilities include:
 Performing leadership, management and co-ordination tasks relating to the field’s services – entailing 13,000 staff and a budget of around 500 Million USD – 45% of the Agency’s total expenditure ensuring optimal use of resources, streamlined processes, taking into account staff and beneficiary needs and responding to emerging circumstances;
 Guiding and providing oversight as well as performance management, in accordance with the Agency’s regulatory framework, to the heads of the main programmes including: education, health, relief and social services, community mental health as well as operations support and protection, gender mainstreaming and related initiatives and community relations and related affairs. S/he is the principal adviser to the Field Director on these functions;
 Translating the Medium Term Programme Strategy into operational reality by developing and fine-tuning, in consultation with senior managers, the Field Implementation Plan and Biennium Budget; leading the implementation of pertinent reform initiatives in his/her organizational cluster; coordinating the work of cross-functional teams to achieve field-wide outcomes in conjunction with HQ Directors ensuring an integrated approach to the management of programmes and exercising decision-making authority over areas under her/his responsibility;
 Providing guidance and support to senior programme and/or administrative staff in his/her own area and in the continuous improvement of services; mentoring and evaluating for training purposes, as necessary;
 Liaising with government and local authorities to ensure their cooperation in facilitating the Agency’s operations; assisting the Field Director in managing and promoting inter-agency and donor relations;
 As assigned, acting for the Field Director during the absence of the Field Director and the Senior Deputy Director, with full responsibility for the Field operation, and reporting to the Commissioner-General (USG) and/or Deputy Commissioner-General, (ASG);
 Where applicable, acting as the Field security focal point and liaising with the Agency’s Chief Security Adviser and the Department of Security and Risk Management at HQA and in the Field;
 Undertaking relieving assignments and performing other related duties as may be required by the Field Director.
Conditions of service
UNRWA offers an attractive and competitive compensation package including annual salary starting for $85,543 net tax free, plus post adjustment of 55.9% (subject to change without notice). Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
 Dependency allowances
 Rental subsidy
 Education grant for children
 Home leave travel
 6 weeks (30 working days) annual leave
 Pension fund entitlements under the
UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
 International health insurance; optional
life insurance
 Disability protection
Additional benefits available to staff working in Gaza:
 Hardship allowance
 Non-family service allowance
 R&R leave (currently every 8 weeks)
 Family visit travel
 Support for settling-in of staff
members’ families in nearby locations*
Who we are
For over 65 years, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) has been working on the ground in five fields of operations in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip providing direct assistance and protection for some 5 million Palestine refugees in the Middle East. UNRWA is mandated by the UN General Assembly to provide this assistance and its mission is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development until there is a just and lasting solution for their plight. UNRWA restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who have been uprooted by conflict with services encompassing education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance.
For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/
* While Gaza is a non-family duty station, eligible staff members may set up a second household in a nearby location to have their family nearby. However, Gaza remains the official duty station with any travel outside the duty station being subject to management approval and in accordance to office practices to ensure international staff presence in Gaza at all times.
Additional information
The incumbent will be required to travel frequently throughout the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East.
To qualify for this position, you will need:
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in one of the Agency’s programme academic fields (i.e. political science, social science, public or business administration or international relations) supplemented by studies in management; a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree;
Work
experience
At least 10 years of increasingly progressive professional experience in programme or organizational support management including at least six years at managerial level in a large governmental or international commercial organization, outside one’s home country;
Language(s)
Excellent command of written and spoken English.
Desirable qualifications:
 Knowledge of activities of UNRWA operations and services;
 Knowledge of Middle Eastern geo-political realities and its socio-cultural implications;
 Experience with United Nations administration/financial policies and practices;
 Working knowledge of Arabic.
You will also need to demonstrate the following competencies:
 Leading and Supervising
 Planning and Organizing
 Relating and Networking
 Analyzing
For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews:
https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI
How to apply
To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. The United Nations does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process. The United Nations does not concern itself with information related to bank accounts.
General information
UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality at all times. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity, and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.
The retirement age for staff entering or re-entering service in the UN Common System after 1 January 1990 is 62 and 65 after 1 January 2014. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete a term of appointment will normally be considered.
The Agency reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.
Date of issue: 7 August 2018/CX

How to apply
To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. The United Nations does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process. The United Nations does not concern itself with information related to bank accounts.