Org. Setting and Reporting

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 personnel wishing to make a change. 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. The Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs (Operations), reports to the Director of UNRWA Affairs.

Responsibilities

Is responsible for managing Field operations cluster which includes finance, administration, human resources, procurement & logistics, and/or other functions and is the principal adviser to the Field Director on these functions; depending on field specificity, the Director of UNRWA Affairs may split the portfolios in varying configurations to meet field needs. Leads and manages, in close collaboration with other senior staff in the Field, the development, preparation, coordination and monitoring of Field Plans (Strategic and Annual Operational) and Budget, Medium-Term Strategy for the operations functions in his/her Field, ensuring integrated approach to the management of operations services and exercising decision-making authority over human and financial resources and capital assets of the Field, in line with UNRWA regulatory framework. Provides support and advice to the Director of UNRWA Affairs in implementing the Agency’s reform plans; leads the implementation of pertinent reform initiatives in his/her organizational cluster; coordinates the work of cross-functional teams to achieve field-wide outcomes and promotes integration of cross-cutting issues into the field operation service framework. Provides guidance and support to senior administrative staff in his/her own area; mentors and evaluates for training purposes, as necessary. Liaises with government and local authorities to ensure their cooperation in facilitating the Agency’s operations; assists the Director of UNRWA Affairs in managing and promoting inter-agency and donor relations. As assigned, acts for the Director of UNRWA Affairs during his/her absence, with full responsibility for the management of the Field; undertakes relieving assignments, as required. Where applicable, acts as the Field security focal point and liaises with the Agency’s Director of Security and Risk Management and the Office of Security and Risk Management in the Field, where available.

Competencies

UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply. i. Leading and Supervising ii. Coping with Pressure and Setbacks iii. Deciding and Initiating Action vi. Managing Complexity and Change vii. Creating and Maintaining Impact and Partnership viii. Strongly developed Management competencies for efficient planning, organizing, directing and controlling multisector field operations, and ensuring highest levels of employee engagement and motivation. For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or Equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in business or public administration, international relations, Law, Finance, or Human Resources Management, or a related discipline.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least 10 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in operations management is required. At least six years of work experience managing large-scale, multi-sector operations teams, at managerial level, at an international, large governmental or non-governmental organisation is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience should be outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. Advanced university degree (Master’s or Equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in business or public administration, international relations, Law, Finance, or Human Resources Management, or a related discipline is required. Knowledge of UNRWA’s operations and services is desirable. Knowledge of Middle Eastern geo-political realities and its socio-cultural implications is desirable. Experience with United Nations administration/financial policies and practices is desirable. Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable. Experience working in emergency and humanitarian contexts is desirable.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English is required. Working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension. The incumbent will be required to travel regularly inside and outside Field, throughout the Agency’s area of operations. Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA’s online e-recruitment system inspira will be considered and no late applications will be accepted. The Personal History Profile (PHP) should be completed with full work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post. Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025. Equivalency: A first level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/

United Nations Considerations

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her. 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 applicants from under-represented groups. At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. 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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA) DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR REQUEST MONEY FROM CANDIDATES AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING, ONBOARDING). UNRWA DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.