Chief, Architecture and Design Division - internally only

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 5.8 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 the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. 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 Chief, Architecture & Design Division reports to Director, Infrastructure and Camp Improvement, D1. The incumbent supervises a range of professional, general services and other contract modalities staff, as may be assigned.

- Leads the formulation of comprehensive Architecture and design policies encompassing a wide spectrum of disciplines including safety, accessibility, materials, cost efficiency and durability, ensuring alignment with UNRWA’s construction, infrastructure and sustainability strategies, and humanitarian principles, to ensure that all UNRWA's facilities are housed in buildings that fit for the purpose, efficient, safe, healthy and environmentally sound. - Oversees the Agency’s Architectural and design works both at HQs and Fields, including those produced by consultants, ensuring that they meet standards, comply with the Agency's established procedures, protocol and practice; validates the adequacy of design procedures and components of buildings in terms of quality and performance and identifies areas in need of improvement or modifications; provides technical guidance and develops interventions to resolve irregularities and enhance designs and architecture works, and follows up their implementation with the relevant stakeholders. - Leads, plans and coordinates architectural design activities across the Agency, ensuring that all design initiatives are strategically aligned with UNRWA’s operational objectives and user requirements, including the development and implementation of design standards and technical criteria that promote functionality, safety, inclusivity and environmental sustainability; develops and supervises preparation of checklists for design process, preliminary approval and checking of architectural tender drawings. - Establishes and regularly updates agency-wide design standards planning criteria, protocol and technical specifications in coordination with user departments and the design team, to ensure clarity, consistency and effective implementation; develops, and tailor, modular design solutions and detailed architectural specifications that enhance consistency, adaptability and operational efficiency across all UNRWA facilities to meet diverse programmatic needs while ensuring cost-effectiveness and ease of replication. - Develops and enforces rigorous quality assurance and quality control measures tailored to architectural and design processes; defines and monitors performance indicators related to design functionality, safety, gender inclusivity, accessibility, and environmental impact; leads post-occupancy evaluations to assess user satisfaction and facility effectiveness following Infrastructure and Camp Improvement Programme (ICIP) interventions. - Maintains up-to-date knowledge of architectural and design disciplines, materials, and regulatory frameworks; engages with international bodies concerned with building codes, fire safety, accessibility, greening, sustainability, design and architectural materials; may represent UNRWA in relevant global forums to ensure the Agency remains informed of best practices, innovations, and emerging standards in architectural design. - Develops and drives a learning scheme to build advanced knowledge and competencies essential for the architecture and design and their application, Agency-wide; fosters deep awareness of the diverse architectural disciplines, materials in current use, and those proposed ones and their critical impact on safety, health and environment; plans and manages the implementation of staff training sessions and conducts training in his/her area of expertise, including relevant specialized software tools.

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. i. Relating and Networking ii. Leading and Supervising iv. Planning and Organizing v. Applying Technical Expertise Leadership i. Managing Complexity and Change ii. Creating and Maintaining Impact and Partnership Other Competencies not listed under Functional and Leadership i. Proven ability to exercise the initiative and resourcefulness necessary for prioritising multiple clusters / components in projects. ii. Creativity and objectivity to perform studies and technical activities to arrive at the most cost-effective and reliable technical solutions. vi. Demonstrate advanced technical knowledge of the civil-structural discipline with the ability to conceive, develop and implement engineering and design solutions

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in architectural engineering or a relevant discipline from a recognised university.

Not available.

At least ten years of progressive relevant experience in the architecture and design works, with sound knowledge of drafting policies, standards, regulatory frameworks and providing guidance, support and training for diverse team in multi-geographical areas, in a computer-based environment, in UN, NGOs, governmental or a large commercial organisation, of which at least five years should be in a supervisory capacity is required Advanced computer skills and working knowledge in the relevant IT applications such as AutoCAD, Microsoft Project and MS-Office applications is desirable. Knowledge of learning and staff development techniques with experience in conducting training sessions is desirable. Experience in low-cost construction throughout the humanitarian programme cycle is desirable. Understanding of construction, project management, contract administration, and construction management is desirable. Knowledge in development, planning and architectural aspects in the Middle East is desirable. Familiarity with international and local building codes and practice is desirable. Candidates are required to make a declaration as to whether they have any current or past affiliations with non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, political organizations, military, or have/are engaged in activities or have made any public statements, that could be seen to impact their neutrality, objectivity or independence in the performance of their duties for the UN / UNRWA. Any declaration will not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration for this post. Are you a registered Palestine refugee? If yes, please provide your Ration Card Number. It is highly recommended to respond to this question in order to assist us in further assessing your application. Please explain below? Is required. Do you have close relative(s) in UNRWA (mother, father, daughter, son, sister brother)? If yes, please provide full name(s) and relationship. It is highly recommended to respond to this question in order to assist us in further assessing your application. Please explain below. Is required

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English

and

Arabic are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult

https://languages.un.org

for details).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

Arabic

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

valuation of qualified candidates will include an assessment exercise and followed by competency based interview.

Type of Contract: Fixed Term Appointment for 1 years, with the possibility of further extension, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and continuing need. Grade and Salary: Grade 20 Monthly basic salary JD 1462.30 plus special occupational allowance (SOA) of 89.83% of the basic salary (SOA may change from time to time). Other benefits: Other benefits include a monthly Provident Fund contribution (15.4% of basic salary paid by the Agency), compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, and dependency allowance (if applicable). Additional benefits: - 2 days of sick leave for each completed month of service. - 14 weeks of Maternity Leave. - 2 weeks paternity leave. This vacancy notice is open to INTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY. Only candidates residing in Amman, and within commuting distance of the duty station with authorization to work in the duty station at the time of application are eligible to apply. The Agency will not assume responsibility or accountability to support or facilitate the issuance of work permit in Jordan, and without a valid work permit, the appointment may be rescinded. - The incumbent may be required to travel in the Agency’s area of operations. - The incumbent may be required to work outside normal duty hours and on call basis. Preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and candidates assisting the Agency to meet its commitment to gender parity. 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. For UNRWA internal staff, they are required to specify and include their current UNRWA grade level. To do so applicants should select under "Category" RLG, scroll down to see all categories, then select their local grade. Given the large pool of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment. Applicants applying to positions for Grades 12 to 20 or LDC Bands E to H must submit a cover letter/motivational statement in order to be considered. Providing incorrect or misleading information on an application form will result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate. Advertisements published in English will only accept applications in English, other language submissions including Arabic will not be considered. 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. Equivalency: Equivalency may apply for this post. NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. 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 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

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.

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.