Director, UNRWA Representative Office, Washington, DC

Vacancy Announcement

Director, UNRWA Representative Office, Washington, DC, D-1

Washington DC

Deadline for Applications

24 June 2017

(10 June 2017 for internal applicants)

Duration

2 years, with the possibility of further extension, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory performance and continuing need.

Vacancy Announcement Number

17-RO-WA-25

UNRWA encourages applications from qualified women and welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for professionals like you.

UNRWA’s strategic objectives

The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. In line with this mission, the Agency works towards five strategic outcomes: (a) Palestine refugee rights under international law are protected and promoted; (b) Palestine refugee health is protected and disease burden is reduced; (c) school-age children complete quality, equitable and inclusive basic education; (d) Palestine refugee capabilities are strengthened for increased livelihood opportunities; and (e) Palestine refugees are able to meet their basic human needs of food, shelter and environmental health.

Do you want to make a lasting difference? 

If you are passionate about making a difference for Palestine refugees, in this position you would ensure optimum strategic management of UNRWA’s relations with US government and non-governmental entities, as well as facilitate and advance relations with other partners elsewhere in the USA other than with United Nations entities.

The main responsibilities include:

• Representing and promoting the interests of UNRWA vis-à-vis US government and non-governmental entities, with particular reference to the US Congress and the US State Department and the National Security Council. Actively and regularly engaging with relevant members of Congress and Congressional staffers to advance understanding of UNRWA’s role in the context of the regional issues of the Middle East, the Agency’s operations and the situation of Palestine refugees in the five fields and globally; promoting UNRWA’s mission and strategic goals, positions, programmes, initiatives and institutional practices, including in the area of neutrality, and explaining the evolving challenges UNRWA faces;
• Establishing high level institutional relationships with relevant US government and non-governmental entities and agencies, maintaining and managing these relationships to enhance protection of Palestine refugees and advance the interests of UNRWA;
• Monitoring on a daily basis relevant developments in the US political agenda, with a view to formulating and leading the implementation of an outreach and advocacy strategy dedicated to optimizing UNRWA’s relations with US governmental and non-governmental agencies;
• In close consultation with the Director, External Relations and Communications (D/ERC) and with the UNRWA Spokesperson and Director of Strategic Communications and Advocacy, supporting the implementation of UNRWA’s resource mobilization and strategic communications frameworks; leading the implementation of a media and communications strategy that is dedicated to addressing the US audience, including through disseminating  information to media as well as civil society and non-governmental entities and through timely  responses to queries from media and other entities; giving interviews and fulfils speaking engagements concerning Agency affairs;
• In close consultation with D/ERC and the UNRWA Spokesperson and Director of Strategic Communications and Advocacy, leading the drafting, preparation and presentation of materials required for briefings to Congress, Executive Branch entities, the media, other governmental and non-governmental agencies and the general public in a broader US setting. Closely consulting with the Chief of Staff and  Director of Legal Affairs (D/LA) on issues related to neutrality, international law, UNRWA’s mandate and the Agency’s regulatory framework;
• Representing UNRWA at public engagements  in the US, except those related to the activities of Representative Office, New York (RONY), and preparing and presenting statements on the Agency’s behalf;
• In close consultation with DERC, and working in tandem with the Director, UNRWA Representative Office, New York (D/RONY), building and sustaining partnerships with international organizations headquartered in the US, the private sector, national and local non-profit institutions, and high value individuals, amongst others; maintaining awareness and support through special events requiring dedicated support, speaking engagements and informational outreach;
• Managing UNRWA’s Representative Office in Washington, DC.

Conditions of service  

UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $96,865 net tax free with post adjustment of 45.7% (subject to change without notice). All UNRWA duty stations (with the exception of Gaza and Syria) are family duty stations. Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

Additional information

The incumbent will occasionally travel to UNRWA’s area of operations and various venues in the United States as required.

To qualify for this position, you will need:

Desirable qualifications:

• Successful working experience of advocacy and outreach in the Washington DC arena specifically and the US more generally, particularly in the context of the US Congress and non-governmental agencies;
• Knowledge of written or spoken Arabic;
• Familiarity with political affairs in the Middle East;
• Knowledge of Middle East context and Palestine refugee issues.

You will also need to demonstrate the following competencies:

• Positive attitude and strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills, such as required for successful outreach, advocacy and effective management of partner relations in both the specific Washington, DC-setting and in the U.S. more generally, including in the context of adversarial positions taken by a variety of entities;
• Proven ability to exercise the initiative and resourcefulness necessary for simultaneously addressing a variety of stakeholder needs, pursuing multiple tasks and achieving positive outcomes;
• Sound appreciation of regional context and strong general understanding of US foreign policy as it relates to the Middle East, as well as genuine commitment to advocacy for humanitarian positions that underpin UNRWA’s mission;
• Sound appreciation of regional context and strong general understanding of US foreign policy as it relates to the Middle East, as well as genuine commitment to advocacy for humanitarian positions that underpin UNRWA’s mission;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with senior US governmental and non-governmental officials and policy influencers, as well as internally and with people of diverse backgrounds, culture and nationalities;
• Sound judgment on political, media and diplomatic matters, including on high profile issues of international policy that affect the Middle East, UNRWA and Palestine refugees;
• Ability to handle media relations competently and effectively;
• Professional discretion and rigorous respect for confidentiality.

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews:

https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

How to apply

To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. The United Nations does not charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process. The United Nations does not concern itself with information related to bank accounts.

General information

UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality at all times. 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. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

The retirement age for staff entering or re-entering service in the UN Common System after 1 January 1990 is 62 and 65 after 1 January 2014. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete a term of appointment will normally be considered.

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.

Date of issue: 28 May 2017/HB