Vacancy Announcement
Chief of Staff, D-2, HQ Amman, Jordan
Deadline for Applications 07 June 2020 Duration 2 years, with the possibility of further extension Vacancy Announcement Number 20-HQ-AM-17
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 women.
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 a talented Chief of Staff to join its new senior management.
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. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions.
Join a new Senior Management committed to management initiatives Under the leadership of the newly appointed Commissioner-General of UNRWA, the Chief of Staff will be responsible for providing leadership in coordinating all aspects of UNRWA’s overall management, serving as a trusted advisor to the Commissioner-General (CG) and Deputy Commissioner-General (DCG). This key position requires outstanding leadership, strategic visioning, and competencies to engage with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of UNRWA’s mandate.
Responsibilities: Provides strategic leadership in executive planning, formulation and coordination of all aspects of UNRWA’s management including engagement in change management initiatives and leading special CG/DCG-initiated projects. Coordinates and oversees projects directly involving the CG/DCG on budgeting, strategic planning and executive reporting, ensuring alignment among multiple stakeholders. Ensures active and open communication to and from the CG/DCG on decisions concerning operational issues upon which the senior management team may need CG’s guidance and/or decision. Brings to the CG’s attention critical issues requiring intervention and decisions. Supports CG/DCG in leading specific Headquarter and field interface and Agency-wide emergency response taskforces and working groups. Serves as UNRWA’s focal point for initiative protecting the neutrality of the Agency and coordinates UNRWA’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with essential humanitarian operational principles in the workforce including timely management of infringements. Serves as the Commissioner General’s focal point for all Agency initiatives related to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH) and provides programmatic expertise and support to promote a healthy working environment free from SEA and SH.
Additional information The incumbent of this post will be required to travel throughout the Agency's area of operations in the Middle East.
To qualify for this position, you will need: Education An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field; a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Work Experience
At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in areas such as political, social, civil, humanitarian, or legal affairs; public or business administration; public sector policy roles; Proven track record and international exposure in senior leadership and management functions, including coordination of interdisciplinary teams, as well as in dealing from/or with a UN entity.
Experience serving in an advisory or managerial capacity in United Nations field operations and particularly in the Middle Eastern context.
Language(s) Excellent command of written and spoken English. Desirable qualifications: Experience in both inter-Agency and operational planning and analysis in the in the Near East and/or with refugee or other vulnerable groups in humanitarian situations. Knowledge of Arabic language and of another UN official language is desirable.
You will also need to demonstrate the following competencies: Communication: Highly developed communication skills both in writing and orally, outstanding interpersonal skills including in sharing information with a diverse team of staff and stakeholders. Judgment/Planning: Develops clear project goals consistent with CG strategies. Prioritizes and adjusts as needed, foresees risk and allows for contingencies. Monitors and follows up on pending aspects and conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. Leadership: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires staff to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles and collaborates with various stakeholders across different levels in Field operations, HQ and UN common system. Building Trust: Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion in all
Who we are For 70 years, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) has been working on the ground in five fields of operations in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip providing direct assistance and protection for some 5 million Palestine refugees in the Middle East. UNRWA is mandated by the UN General Assembly to provide this assistance and its mission is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development until there is a just and lasting solution for their plight. UNRWA restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who have been uprooted by conflict with services encompassing education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance.
For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/
areas of UNRWA’s work. Teamwork: Solicits input from colleagues and genuinely values ideas and expertise of others; successfully navigates issues and colleagues within varying degrees of ambiguity in a fast-paced environment and drives for change and improvements. Strong strategic/financial analysis skills: Supports senior-level colleagues in managing their budgets and works closely with Directors of Finance and Planning in the annual and quarterly budgetary processes.
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 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.
How to apply:
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.