Senior Social Transfer Specialist (re-advertised)

Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change.

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 Senior Social Transfer Specialist reports to the Director of Relief and Social Services (DRSS) and works closely with Field Directors, their Deputies as well as Field Relief and Social Services Programme staff, provides guidance and support to the Fields’ staff to identify appropriate indicators, measurement tools and operational frame work for social transfer programme. and regularly communicates with the Department of Planning on emergency response related resource mobilization and management.

Responsibilities

- Under the guidance of DRSS, provides the technical capacity for the design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of emergency and regular social transfer programmes for Palestine refugees in UNRWA’s five fields of operations with a particular emphasis on cash-based programme operations.

- Prepares technical instructions for emergency and regular cash based and in-kind social transfer programmes and updates these streams based on sector developments and findings from reviews and evaluations as well as changes in the implementation context.

- Supports Field offices in the identification of operational requirements and provides direct support in determining and implementing operational frameworks for social transfer programmes including identification of appropriate service providers.

- Supports the preparation and implementation of a biometric verification project in the Lebanon field in close coordination with the field office relief and social services programme management and provides technical support for follow-up coordination with UN agencies of identification of service providers accepting biometric authentication services alongside cash assistance.

- Leads on implementation of robust data collection, monitoring and eligibility verification assessments of social transfer programmes including identification of appropriate indicators and measurement tools and revisiting social transfer value and targeting approaches based on robust data analysis.

- Represents the Agency in regional social protection/cash-based transfer forums and supports building of respective partnerships, alliances and ensures alignment with UN system wide approaches wherever appropriate.

- Contributes to resource mobilization efforts for social transfer programmes and prepares respective documentation as required.

Competencies

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. Default managerial competencies may apply.

Applying Technical Expertise
Relating and Networking
Coping with Pressure and Setbacks
Formulating Strategies and Concepts
Leading and Supervising

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

Education

Advanced university degree (Masters’ or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in economics, statistics, social development, health, nutrition, business administration or other related academic discipline.

Work Experience

Eight years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in the field of social policy, social protection, social assistance or similar, involving coordination, planning, management and monitoring of large-scale social protection and/or transfer programmes in humanitarian/development contexts is required.

Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a
minimum of two 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 is required.

Knowledge of Near East political, social and economic environment and culture is desirable.

Advanced university degree (Masters’ or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in economics, statistics, social development, health, nutrition, business administration or other related academic discipline is required.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Working level knowledge of Arabic Language is desirable.

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 Senior Social Transfer Specialist will be required to reside in Amman and will be required to travel in the Agency’s area of operations (Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza).

Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in inspira in order to be considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered.

A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for an appointment to the same post or a similar post.

Equivalency:
A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.

UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

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.