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 Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff reports to the Chief of Staff.

Responsibilities

Provides substantive and practical support to the Chief of Staff (CoS) in implementing his/her responsibilities; keeps CoS informed on all matters requiring attention and/or deadlines, assists in formulating options for their management; organises and manages CoS meetings and mission events; including preparing written summaries, talking points, speeches and following-up action points, as appropriate; ensures proper logistical and administrative support to the CoS; drafts correspondence as requested. Follows up, as required, on the implementation of decisions and on other matters referred by the CoS or his/her Deputy to Departments and Offices at Headquarters and the Fields, and contributes to the optimal flow of information to/from the Executive Office (EO). Undertakes research and writes analytical papers on a wide range of general strategic, political, and other issues falling under the responsibility of the CoS, including assessing implications and makes recommendations on possible policies, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives. Supports the D/CoS in ensuring coordination within the EO by managing communication flows and implementing efficient working processes; serve as liaising between the EO and other departments, aligning departmental efforts and ensuring that priorities, tasks, and processes are aligned with organisational goals and decisions are timely implemented. Provides substantive and analytical support to the CoS’s external interactions with other UN Agencies and Member States, including high level conferences and events of strategic nature for UNRWA. Coordinates /drafts summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, talking points, speeches, notes to file, inputs for high level conferences. Acts as secretary to the EO internal meetings and to other bodies chaired by the CoS or the Executive Office, like the Executive Advisory Group and the Senior Management Team, as required. Represents the CoS and/or the Executive Office/Agency at UN or other meetings and conferences, as required.

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. Relating and Networking Analyzing Planning and Organizing Adapting and Responding to Change Learning and Researching

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in political science, international relations, social science, economics, law, public administration, or a related discipline.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian, development political affairs, diplomacy, conflict resolution, or related field is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. Knowledge and experience of working in and supporting Front Offices of senior UN and/or government officials is desirable. Experience in analysis, drafting, and reporting is desirable. Knowledge of contemporary issues relating to the Middle East is desirable. Working knowledge and experience of the Agency’s operations in the Middle East, and knowledge of Middle Eastern culture is desirable.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This is a UN Regular Budget post. Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension. The incumbent may be required to accompany the Chief of Staff on missions within and beyond the region in pursuit of supporting the functioning of the Agency. 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. All university degrees must also be stated, where applicable. UNRWA personnel must ensure adding their contract type and grade level. Providing incorrect or misleading information on an application form will result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate. The Agency disqualifies applicants whose name appears on the UN Sanctions List or a UN database of staff separated for reason of misconduct or of staff who separated while a misconduct process was pending. UNRWA shares investigation and misconduct information with other UN Agencies, and past and prospective employers about staff members who have been separated for misconduct, or who have separated while an investigation and/or disciplinary process for misconduct is underway; and those individuals may be prohibited from employment with the United Nations. 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, when the need arises. 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.