Area Relief & Social Services Officer for South Amman Area

 

UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY

FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST

UNRWA

 

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, UNRWA is seeking to employ a qualified:

 

Area Relief & Social Services Officer

For South Amman Area & to establish roster for other areas

 

 

Place in the Organisation

The incumbent is responsible technically to the Chief, Field Relief and Social Services Programme, through Field Relief Services Officer (FRSO), Field Social Services Officer (FSSO), Field Social Work Officer (FSWO) and Field Eligibility and Registration Officer (FERO), as appropriate; and administratively to the Area Officer, where applicable, and to the CFRSSP in Gaza.

 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

In accordance with established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent:

·        Supervises and controls the implementation of special hardship assistance programme in his/her area and ensures that relevant programme criteria and operating instructions are fully met through:

a.        Carrying frequent reviews and checks on Special Hardship Cases (SHC) Family Files to ensure proper documentation, safety and confidentiality;

b.        Approving the enrolment of refugee families in the SHC programme for provision of assistance according to the Relief Services Instructions (RSI);

c.        Ensuring regular and timely preparation of priority lists of SHC families for assistance (ration and cash subsidy distribution, shelter rehabilitation, selective cash assistance….etc);

d.        Conducting random field visits to active SHC families to ensure reliability of collected individual and family data and adherence of the implementing staff to the standard eligibility criteria on SHC assistance, and providing relevant training, guidance/advice to Social Workers (SHC), where and when necessary;

e.        Monitoring and following-up on the distribution process to ensure efficient and smooth running of food rations and cash subsidies in accordance with Relief Services Instructions and policies, and conducting regular inspections on food distribution centres/mobile distribution units;

·        Coordinates and follows-up with RSS staff, distribution team, finance clerk, heads of divisions and concerned area and field staff on timely and proper/efficient delivery/response of approved/recommended assistance to SHC clienteles;

·        Plans and holds regular meetings with RSS staff under his/her supervision for information sharing, problem solving and coordination, and ensures that the Relief and Social Services Programmes are well publicized in his/her area; coordinates training activities for RSS staff at area level;

·        Provides administrative and logistical support to the Community Development (CD) Social Workers in his/her area;

·        Co-ordinates with the Area/Camp Registration Officer in his/her area on the implementation of eligibility and registration instructions, manuals and procedures governing its activities;

·        Promotes, in collaboration with Area/Camp Social Work Supervisor (A/CSWS), joint multi-disciplinary, holistic and integrated activities targeting clients and ensures that SHC families’ needs are addressed through this approach;

·        Coordinates for pre-planned needs assessment studies carried out by RSSD, and liaises with local community organizations and NGOs to improve networking, coordination and enhance RSS use of local assets and resources; ensures ongoing coordination with other UNRWA programmes and projects in his/her area;

·        Ensures that the Field Relief Services Officer and Relief Operations Officer (where applicable) are promptly notified on any emergency where direct relief is required, and co-ordinates with other Field staff assigned to any emergency response services;

·        Acts as the focal point for refugees’ inquiries and petitions; encourages community members to actively participate in the Community-Based Organizations’ (CBOs) activities; maintains custodianship over RSSD premises and reports on contravention and incursions;

·        Prepares all required reports including monthly/quarterly and other ad hoc reports;

·        Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

·        A university degree in social work, sociology, psychology, social anthropology, guidance and counseling or other related discipline.

·        At least three years’ experience in relief services and/or social development programmes applying ,of which one year should be in management, preferably in a similar programme;

·        Training in action oriented social research and participation in at least two research projects.

Language

Good command of written and spoken English and Arabic.

 

Competencies

·        Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in team working environment;

·        Knowledge of social development principles and concepts;

·        Excellent communication and negotiation skills, sound judgment and demonstrated   problem-solving skills;

·        Supervisory skills and ability to develop staff;

·        Very good analytical and reporting ability;

·        Ability to use the computer especially programmes used by UNRWA.

 

Desirable Qualifications

·        Knowledge of the socio-economic conditions of the Palestine Refugees and knowledge of the customs and habits of different refugee groups;

·        Experience in promoting/resourcing community development projects.

 

Additional Information

·        The incumbent is required to travel in the field;

·        Possession a valid driving license.

 

Equivalency

When the minimum requirements are not fully met, the concerned Director 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.

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.org will 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.

 

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: 15 February 2017