Vacancy Announcement Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs (Programmes), P-5 West Bank Deadline for Applications 8 July 2020 (24 June 2020 for internal applicants) Duration 2 years, with the possibility of further extension Vacancy Announcement Number 20-FO-WB-19 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 the West Bank The West Bank is home to 800,000 registered refugees, around a quarter of whom live in 19 camps. Protection concerns, restricted economic opportunities and increased poverty have increased the need for, and reliance upon, humanitarian assistance. Against this backdrop, UNRWA’s 4000 staff in the West Bank, the vast majority refugees themselves, deliver education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance to support the refugee community until there is a just and durable solution to their plight. Do you want to make a lasting difference? If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. In this role, while reporting to the Director of UNRWA Affairs, you will be responsible for the management and oversight of a substantive portfolio of the Agency’s programmes portfolio of education, health, relief & social services, infrastructure and camp improvement and microfinance (as applicable) at Field level. You will contribute to the Field’s 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 liaise with external interlocutors including UN country teams, host government representatives, the refugee community, and others. You may be assigned as Acting Director of UNRWA Affairs during the absence of the Director of UNRWA Affairs and, as such, assume full responsibility and accountability for the management of the Field. The main responsibilities include: Being responsible for the management of the Field programme cluster which includes education, health, relief and social services, infrastructure and camp improvement and microfinance, and being the principal adviser to the Field Director on these functions; In close collaboration with other senior staff in the Field, ensuring the development, preparation, coordination and monitoring of the Field Implementation Plan, Biennium Budget, Mid-Term Strategy for the programmes functions in the Field, ensuring integrated approach to the management of programmes services and exercising decision-making authority over human and financial resources and capital assets of the Field, in line with UNRWA regulatory framework and SPARE principle; Providing support and advice to the Director of UNRWA Affairs in implementing the Agency’s reform plan; leading the implementation of pertinent reform initiatives in the organizational cluster; coordinating the work of cross-functional teams to achieve fieldwide outcomes and promote integration of cross-cutting issues into the field programme framework; Providing guidance and support to senior programme staff in their own area; 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 interagency and donor relations; As assigned, acting for the Director of UNRWA Affairs during his/her absence, with full responsibility for the management of the Field, and reporting to the CommissionerGeneral (USG) and/or Deputy Commissioner-General (ASG); Where applicable, acting as the Field security focal point and liaising with the Agency’s Director of Security and Risk Management and the Office of Security and Risk Management in the Field, where available. Undertaking relieving assignments and performing other related duties as may be required by the Director of UNRWA Affairs. To qualify for this position, you will need: Education Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in one of the Agency’s programme academic fields (such as 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 responsible professional experience in programme management, including at least six years managing largescale, multi-sector programmes at managerial level in a large governmental or international commercial organization, working at international level 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: UN Core Values of Professionalism, Integrity and Respect for Diversity and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply. Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Leadership: Strong managerial/leadership skills; demonstrated flexibility in leadership by performing and/or overseeing the analysis of complex human resources, financial, administrative or management policy and programme issues; proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling environment, including the ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff and design training/skills enhancement initiatives to ensure effective transfer of knowledge/skills; tact in negotiating skills; good judgment and decision-making skills; demonstrated ability to provide leadership and commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing. Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches tasks to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities Communications: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Technology Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts; joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Conditions of service UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $88,162 net tax free with post adjustment of 62.1% (subject to change without notice). All UNRWA duty stations (with the exception of Gaza and Syria) are family duty stations. 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 information The incumbent will be required to travel frequently throughout the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East. 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 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.
How to apply:
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.
