Deputy Director Relief and Social Services

Org. Setting and Reporting

- The Deputy Director Relief and Social Services reports directly to Director, Relief and Social Services, HQ Amman.

Responsibilities

- Takes the lead on developing technical guidance and support for policy definition and field operationalization related to the relief and social service programme streams; works towards integration of social and relief programming by introducing a social protection framework focusing on services for most vulnerable persons, and enhancement and alignment with other UNRWA programmes such as health and education.

- Takes the lead in preparing technical instructions and guidance tools for interventions related to relief and social services, and updates these based on contextual development and findings from reviews and evaluations; ensures programme planning, monitoring and evaluation is evidence based, guided by high quality surveys and studies; contributes to and/or conceptualizes the respective research design and management.

- Engages with external stakeholders such as host governments and UN Agencies for alignment and resource mobilization for programme policy development and implementation as adequate with a focus on social transfer and social service provision.

- Guides technical implementation of programmatic changes related to ongoing relief and social service programme modernization at the field level; supports their specific development of work plans through regular reviews, stock-take exercises and analysis of reports; introduces adjustments to improve effectiveness of interventions.

- Represents the Agency in technical forums on social protection and social work-related matters and fosters alliances and partnerships including for resource mobilization purposes;

Competencies

UN Core Values of Professionalism, Integrity and Respect for Diversity and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply. In addition:

- Applying Technical Expertise
- Relating and Networking
- Formulating Strategies and Concepts
- Leading and Supervising
- Planning and Organizing

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education

- Advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution in social sciences, psychology, social work, social policy, social protection, law or a related field.

Work Experience

At least ten years of experience, in successively senior functions in managing complex programmes in a large institution, international or inter-governmental organizations in the field of social protection, social policy, social and relief work or similar
At least three years in a senior/managerial position involving programme planning, implementation and monitoring as well as drafting policy notes and technical instructions.
A minimum of 2 continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number.
Knowledge of Near East political, social and economic environment and culture (desirable)

Languages

- Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Assessment

- Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

- Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension.

- The Deputy Director of Relief and Social Services will be required to travel in the Agency’s area of operations (Syrian Arab Republic, Jordan, Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza).

- 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/

United Nations Considerations

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.