UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to help and protection to a population of 5.7 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.

UNRWA’s Executive Office (EO) is responsible for providing support to the Commissioner-General and the two Deputies Commissioner-General in executive planning, formulation and coordination of all aspects of UNRWA management. The EO oversees field offices, representative or liaison offices in Brussels, Cairo, Geneva, New York and Washington D.C, HQ programmes and support departments. The EO leads and sustains organizational change Agency-wide, manages high-level strategic decision-making, serves as a catalyst for cooperation Agency-wide, and manages sensitive issues and diverse risks deriving from both the external and internal environment. The work of the Executive Office encompasses the following interrelated and interconnected spheres of work: 1) providing vision, leadership and strategic direction to the Agency, 2) leading organizational design, 3) governance and decision-making, 4) policy, 5) operational oversight, 6) internal stakeholder engagement and 7) advocacy and external stakeholder engagement.

The Deputy Commissioner-General for Programmes and Partnerships (DCG/PP) provides leadership and oversight of the Agency’s Field Offices (in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria) and a number of HQ departments/divisions and representative offices, including the departments of Education, Health, Relief & Social Services, Microfinance, External Relations and Communications, the Protection division and the representative offices in Brussels and Cairo. The DCG/PP leads and coordinates UNRWA’s efforts to protect and ensure the timely and effective provision of services to Palestine Refugees during times of crises, such as conflict and/or public health emergencies, ensuring effective preparedness and response throughout the Agency. The DCG/PP oversees the Agency’s humanitarian response and emergency response mechanisms, including for the current crisis in Gaza. The DCG/PP represents the Commissioner-General at senior/ministerial level with host and donor Governments, at international, regional, and inter-agency meetings, seminars, and conferences, and with government and intergovernmental bodies, such as the General Assembly and its committees.

In the accomplishment of the above duties and responsibilities, the DCG/PP is directly supported by a Deputy Chief of Staff for Programmes & Partnerships.

Additional information:
International Specialist UN Volunteers are entitled to:
• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of USD 2655.32 (subject to change in monthly Post Adjustment Modifier).
• Entry lumpsum, Exit lumpsum; and Travel Allowance
• Annual and learning leaves;
• Free Medical and life insurance; and
• Free access to different learning platforms.

For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/become-volunteer/volunteer-abroad

Under the overall leadership and guidance of the DCG/PP, and within the delegated authority as well as under the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Programmes and Partnerships, the UN Volunteer:
• Support the Deputy Chief of Staff (Programmes and Partnerships) in the overall coordination of key initiatives to advance programmatic and partnerships’ priorities and contributes to the design and execution of innovative proposals.
• Facilitate effective coordination and information sharing between the EO, programme departments, field offices, and representative offices, liaising regularly with working-level focal points across the Agency.
• Follow up on the implementation of decisions and on other matters referred by the DCG/PP to HQ departments and field offices.
• Provide technical and substantive input on issues related to partnerships and resource mobilization, and supports day-to-day engagement between the EO and the External Relations and Communications Department.
• Provide technical and substantive input on issues related to strategic planning, programmes and project management, and supports day-to-day engagement between the EO, the Department of Planning, the Field Offices and the Programme departments.
• Support the review and finalization of documents/materials submitted for the DCG/PP’s clearance, approval and/or signature.
• Ensure optimal preparation of and follow-up to meetings and engagements of the DCG/PP with internal and external interlocutors, providing both substantive and practical support;
• Conduct basic research on selected aspects of programmes and partnerships, including collecting, analyzing and presenting data and other information gathered from diverse sources.
• Prepare briefing notes, background documents, reports, talking points, speeches, presentations, social media posts, etc.
• Contribute to the optimal flow of information to, from and within the Executive Office and supports the maintenance of an effective system of information management and information sharing.
• Serve as the EO focal point for specific subjects and/or departments and field offices reporting to the DCG/PP.
• Perform any other related tasks as required or assigned by the Deputy Chief of Staff (Programmes and Partnerships).