UNRWA is looking to hire

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. For its local team, where, UNRWA is seeking to employ a qualified:

Social Development Specialist (re-advertised)

Note: Applicants to vacancy announcement number 17-AR-AM-02 need not re-apply

The incumbent of this post reports directly to the Chief Relief and Social Services HQ (Amman). In accordance with Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent will:

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide substantive support to all the technical aspects of the Social services programmes Agency-wide to ensure  that the programme objectives and strategies are met;
• Contribute to the formulation of the Social Services strategies and objectives in compliance with UNRWA’s overall policies and the development and periodic update of the Social Services Policy and Guidelines and monitor adherence by the concerned staff in the fields;
• Provide technical guidance to the Field Relief and Social  services Officers responsible for the implementation of the social services programmes to ensure proper implementation of all services and activities in terms of planning, managing, monitoring and evaluation;
• Identify the human resources and technical skills required for the Relief and Social Services staff, related to his/her domain, in coordination with Field Offices and advise on staffing structure; manage their technical development, identify training needs and deliver specialized training, as required;
• Contribute to the annual programme of work, including developing key performance indicators (KPIs) and budget preparation; review and technically analyses the Fields’ reports, provide feedback and make appropriate recommendations; prepare periodic and Ad-hoc reports for internal and external use, and plan and conduct the annual meetings for Programme Officers;
• Provide the Fields’ Relief and Social Services (RSS) staff with information and consultation regarding partnership initiatives network with other UNRWA programmes and local/national and international NGOs in promoting a multi-disciplinary and participatory approach to community development;
• Review projects related to social services programmes prepared by the Fields and provide technical input, making sure that the strategic interventions are covered.

Professional Knowledge and Experience

• Advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution in sociology, social work, psychology, community development, guidance and counseling or other related field;
• At least seven years’ experience in social work, community development, or closely related discipline, of which three years of professional experience in the social development field in the areas of social policy development, setting-up guidelines, planning, monitoring and evaluation, supervising, training of technical staff; networking and building technical cooperation with other partners in the same fields of specialization;
• Excellent command of spoken and written English and Arabic.

Competencies

• Ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas; ability to convey concepts and recommendations to staff at senior levels, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to plan and conduct training and develop training manuals/materials relevant to the areas of specialization;
• Ability to operate standard computer software used by the Agency and experience in utilizing spreadsheets, database software and Power Point;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries and in multiple locations;
• Ability to take initiative and maintain cordial relationship with all concerned;
• Ability to coordinate the work of others, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working with internally displaced or refugee population with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Willingness to keep abreast of new development concepts and approaches.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of the middle  East environment and culture;
• Knowledge of relevant institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to social development;
• Previous experience with UNRWA or other UN Agency;
• Experience in case management.

Equivalency

When the minimum requirements are not fully met, Field Director for Field Area staff and Director of Human Resources for Headquarters Area staff, in consultation with the concerned supervisor may exceptionally substitute part of the unmet requirements with a combination of relevant academic qualifications, additional professional training and progressive relevant work experience.

NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.

Additional Information

• The incumbent may be required to travel throughout the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East.
• The incumbent may be required to work beyond regular working hours.

Conditions of Service 

The fixed term appointment is for 3 years including 1 year probation period. Monthly basic salary JD1086.60 plus special occupation allowance of 69.9% of the basic salary. Other benefits include monthly Provident Fund contribution (15% of basic salary paid by the Agency), compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, and dependency allowance (if applicable).

How to Apply

Applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing an UNRWA Personal History Form. Please note that UNRWA only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.orgwill be considered. Due to the large number of applications received, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. Please ensure that the e-mail address that you will indicate in your Personal History Profile is accurate, candidates shortlisted for test or interview will only be contacted by e-mail. No follow up phone calls will be made.

The United Nations does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process (application, testing, interviewing, etc). The United Nations does not concern itself with information related to bank accounts.

General Information

UNRWA encourages applications from qualified and experienced women.

UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

This vacancy notice is open to internal and external candidates. As an Area post, preference will be given to local candidates already based in the duty station of the post.

UNRWA is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for human rights, for diversity, and for non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNRWA staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside. 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.

On appointment, all individuals will be asked to sign a self attestation, confirming that they have not committed, been convicted of, or prosecuted for, any criminal offence and that they have not been involved, by act or omission, in the commission of any violation of international human rights law or international humanitarian law.

Date of issue: 5 March 2017/RJ