Chief Field Relief and Social Services Programme

Org. Setting and Reporting

The incumbent reports to the Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs (Programmes). The Director of Relief and Social Services (HQ) Amman is responsible for providing guidance and technical assistance to operationalize the Programme in line with professional, policy and technical standards covering relief assistance, social work and refugee registration.

The incumbent supervises and provides technical guidance to a team of professional and general services staff to ensure a quality implementation of Relief and Social Services strategies covering humanitarian assistance, social
work interventions and refugee registration with a focus on most vulnerable refugees.

Responsibilities

Leads and manages the Agency’s Relief and Social Services Programme in the Field to which s/he is assigned in compliance with UNRWA's overall policies; develops, monitors and directs the Programme’s overall strategic implementation plans and activities; is the major advisor to the Field’s management on Relief and Social Services activities, achievements and challenges and proposes improvements and enhancement to ensure its institutionalization, continued relevance and quality of service for vulnerable Palestine refugees.

Oversees and guides the implementation of the Agency’s social transfer programmes for populations in need; operationalises implementation criteria based on poverty and vulnerability analyses, and designs and implements surveys and studies for relevant and targeted programmes, in close coordination with the HQ Relief and Social Services Department; identifies most effective and efficient assistance distribution modalities in line with standards of transparency and accountability; contributes to resource mobilisation efforts through generation of documentation, surveys and advocacy materials; ensures coordination with partner organisations to harmonise assistance programmes as appropriate and applicable.

Oversees and guides implementation of social work interventions and case management including provision of psycho-social support to individuals and families in distress and for refugees in need of protection; ensures that principles of professionality and confidentiality are applied at highest standards; supports the coordination of case management across programmes and with external partners; guides and supports refugee community engagement to strengthen psycho-social resilience and the participation of vulnerable refugees in targeted activities adopting a right-based approach to promote their social inclusion.

Provides quality assurance and supervision of the Agency’s refugee registration processes in the Field to improve and enhance registration services for Palestine refugees including the introduction of online registration, issuance of individual e-service cards, and identity verification for service eligibility; oversees processes of reform involving digital transformation of refugee registration and eligibility services at the Field level; contributes to policies of the preservation and protection of refugee registration records and to the management of refugee protection cases related to registration status verification and document provision..

Co-ordinates on multi-sectoral and social protection focused activities, synergies, and programme alignment with the Agency’s other Programme Departments including, where applicable, related to the Micro-Credit Support Programme and its review and reform; liaises and co-ordinates activities with other UN agencies, private institutions, and governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in providing relief and social services to the refugee community; briefs delegations representing donor, host governments and NGOs.

Provide considerable leadership and management in support of the initiatives, interventions, reforms and projects led by the Relief and Social Services Department, HQA, including the development of strategic frameworks, assessments, roll-out and implementation of these changes to the programme in close collaboration and communication with the programme team and the refugee community; provides substantive advice to the development and revision of the Relief and Social Services policies and regulatory framework led by the Relief and Social Services Department, HQA.

Oversees the Department’s financial resources and their efficient and effective expenses; monitors the overall performance of RSSP staff, their career and capacity development, ensuring sustaining and elevating their capabilities to improve Relief and Social Services rendered to Palestine refugees.

Performs other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor(s).

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

Leading and Supervising
Relating and Networking
Deciding and Initiating Action
Planning and Organizing
Formulating Strategies and Concepts

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in social sciences, psychology, international law, economics or a related discipline.

Work Experience

At least ten years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in humanitarian, social services and/or social development programmes, of which at least five years should be in the management of a large humanitarian and/or development programme at senior level with supervisory responsibilities. (Or, twelve years of relevant experience in case you hold bachelor's degree), is required.

Applicants are required to mention if they have close relative(s) in UNRWA (mother, father, daughter, son, sister brother), please provide full name(s) and relationship. If applicable, please provide further details below.

Applicants are required to mention if they are a Palestine refugee. If yes, please provide you Registration Card Number

Languages

Excellent command of spoken and written English and Arabic.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Please make sure that your application is filled properly, correctly, and completely; any missing or incomplete information may lead to the rejection of the application by the system.

If the recruitment process generates a large number of applicants who pass the test, the Agency may interview only the top passing applicants to ensure sufficient number of candidates to be listed on a recommended list or an employment roster based on the Agency’s needs. This is intended to ensure efficiency and timeliness of the recruitment process.


Type of Contract: Fixed Term Appointment

Duration of Contract: 3 years including 1 year probation period, with the possibility of further extension, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory performance and continuing need.

This vacancy notice is open to internal and external candidates. Only candidates residing in Lebanon, and within commuting distance of the duty station with authorization to work in the duty station at the time of application are eligible to apply. The Agency will not assume responsibility or accountability to support or facilitate the issuance of work permit in Lebanon, and without a valid work permit, the appointment may be rescinded.

Preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and candidates assisting the Agency to meet its commitment to gender parity. UNRWA 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 highly committed professionals wishing to make a change.

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

Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA’s online e-recruitment system (Inspira) will be considered and no late applications will be accepted. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. All acquired university degrees must also be stated, if applicable. Applicants applying to positions for Grades 12 to 20 must submit a cover letter/motivational statement in order to be considered. Additionally, providing incorrect or misleading information on an application will result in the immediate disqualification of a candidate.

Candidates (internal and external) must declare when filling the family details in their Inspira profile whether they have any close relative (father, mother, brother, sister, son and daughter) working in the United Nations Secretariat which encompasses all organizations in the United Nations System including UNRWA. Non-declaration of a close relative working in the UN system will lead to immediate disqualification of the candidate.
No candidate is entitled to be provided a copy of his or her scored test or be informed of the scores given, or the tests and scores given to other candidates. A candidate does not have the right to request his or her test to be reassessed or to be given an opportunity to repeat the test.

For UNRWA internal staff, they are required to specify and include their current UNRWA grade level. To do so applicants should select under “Category” RLG, scroll down to see all categories, then select their local grade.

Equivalency: When the minimum requirements are not fully met, the Director of Human Resources may exceptionally substitute part of the unmet requirements with a combination of relevant academic qualifications and progressive relevant work experience.
NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.

Desirable qualification:
Knowledge of the socio-economic conditions of the Palestine refugees.
Experience in the UN Agencies and international/National NGOs in Lebanon.
Experience in programme management in humanitarian and development in the public sector.

Conditions of service:
The monthly earnings will start from $3,701.80 (basic salary at step 1 + SOA 66.39% + SPLAI $167) up to $4523.90 (basic salary at step 10 + SOA 66.39% + SPLAI 1$67)

Other benefits include monthly Provident Fund contribution (15.4% of basic salary paid by the Agency), compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, and dependency allowance (if applicable).

Candidates need to check the Junk Email as emails from INSPIRA may go to Junk; it is the candidate's responsibility to check his/her email.

Additional information:

The incumbent is required to travel in the Field in the course of performing his/her duties, thus must be willing and qualified to drive an Agency vehicle.

The duties may require working during irregular working hours..

The vacancy will be shown on INSPIRA after 24 hours from the posting date.
Sending CVs by email are not acceptable and they will be automatically ignored.


Advertisements published only in English will only accept applications in English, and Arabic submissions will not be considered.

The Agency may disqualify applicants whose name appears on the UN Sanctions List or a UN database of staff separated for reason of misconduct or of staff who separated whilst misconduct processes were pending.

UNRWA shares investigation and misconduct information with other UN Agencies, and past and prospective employers, about staff members who have been separated for misconduct, or who have separated whilst an investigation and/or disciplinary process for misconduct is underway; and such persons may be prohibited from employment with the United Nations.

The Agency will immediately disqualify applicants who are ineligible for any reason in accordance with the Agency regulatory framework.

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 protect 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.

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.

UNRWA is a United Nations agency whose staff are therefore expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity, and 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.
For queries and questions please contact recruitmentquestions@unrwa.org (no CVs are to be sent to this email).

Please find below the link to a video that guides applicants on how to apply to Job Openings that approach you for guidance:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MH-IYA6Y8kxA1fgao5qyTV8VwNajgx4u/view?usp=sharing


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.