Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs (Organizational Support)

UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY

FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST

UNRWA

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. UNRWA seeks the services of a seasoned and innovative professional, highly motivated to provide skilled leadership in the position of:

Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs (Organizational Support)

UNRWA is seeking for its team in Syria an experienced, creative and well-rounded field operations manager with a passion for achieving excellent results in finance, human resources, procurement, logistics, infrastructure and camp development, IT, and the safety of staff.  As Deputy Director (Organizational Support) the incumbent will be one of the two Deputy Directors who share the substantive management responsibilities in UNRWA’s Syria operations and report directly to the Field Director.  The other Deputy Director is responsible for UNRWA’s programmes.

UNRWA’s Syria operation, with a total 2017 budget of $384 million and a workforce of 4,000 staff providing services directly, is responsible for the well-being of 450,000 Palestine refugees remaining in Syria, and currently offers humanitarian assistance to some 430,000 of them. Since the onset of the crisis, the support functions have grown exponentially and played a pivotal role in the operations’ achievements.  Management and oversight of these functions will offer the incumbent a uniquely fulfilling professional experience in one of the most challenging operational contexts of our time.  .

The incumbent will be a principal adviser to the Field Director and a major contributor to implementing the Field’s strategic and operational plans and budgets. She or he will guide and direct specialist staff, manage staff performance, ensure optimal use of resources and liaise with staff representatives, as well as with external interlocutors including UN country teams, host government representatives, the refugee community and others. Deputy Field Directors may be assigned as Officer-in-Charge during the absence of the Field Director and, as such, assume full responsibility and accountability for the management of the Field. In accordance with the established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent will:

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

·         Be responsible for the management of the organizational support cluster which includes finance, administration, human resources, procurement & logistics, information systems, safety and security and engineering and construction services and is the principal adviser to the Field Director on these functions;

·         In close collaboration with other senior staff in the Field, ensure the development, preparation, coordination and monitoring of the ASRP (Annual Strategic Reformed Plans) for the  support functions, ensuring integrated approach to the management of support services and exercising decision-making authority over human and financial resources and capital assets of the Syria Field assigned to her/his area of responsibility, in line with UNRWA regulatory framework and Strategy, Policy, Accountability, Results and Envelopes (SPARE) principle;

·         Provide support and advice to the Syria Field Director in implementing the Agency’s reform plan for comprehensive programme and management reform. Lead the implementation of pertinent reform initiatives in his/her organizational cluster and coordinate the work of cross-functional teams to achieve field-wide outcomes and promote integration of cross-cutting issues into the support service framework;

·         Provide guidance and support to senior administrative staff in his/her own area; mentor and evaluate for training purposes, as necessary;

·         Liaise with government and local authorities to ensure their cooperation in facilitating the Agency’s operations. Assist Syria Field Office Director in managing and promoting inter-agency and donor relations;

·         As assigned, act for the Director of UNRWA Affairs, Syria during his/her absence, with full responsibility for the Syria Field operation, and reporting to the Commissioner-General (USG) and/or Deputy Commissioner-General (ASG);

·         Where applicable, act as the Syria Field security focal point and liaise with the Agency’s Chief Security Adviser and the Department of Safety and Security in the Syria Field;

·         Undertake relieving assignments and perform other related duties as may be required by the Syria Field Director.

Professional Knowledge and Experience

·         Advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution in one of the Agency’s organizational support broad academic fields (such as Business or Public Administration, International Relations, Law, Finance, or Human Resources Management or related areas) supplemented by studies in management (where needed);

·         At least 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience in programme or organizational support management, including at least six years at managerial level in a large governmental, international or commercial organization with oversight of organizational support functions, and including 2 years of experience at international level outside one’s home country;

·         Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Competencies

·         Professionalism: shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations;

·         Leadership: strong managerial/leadership skills; demonstrated flexibility in leadership by performing and/or overseeing the analysis of complex human resources, financial,  administrative or management policy and programme issues; proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling environment, including the ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff and design training/skills enhancement initiatives to ensure effective transfer of knowledge/skills; tact in negotiating skills; good judgment and decision-making skills; demonstrated ability to provide leadership and commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing;

·         Planning and Organizing: develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently;

·         Managing Performance: delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly;

·         Vision: identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities;

·         Communications: speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;

·         Technology Awareness: keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Desirable Qualifications

·         Knowledge of activities of UNRWA operations and services;

·         Knowledge of Middle Eastern geo-political realities and its socio-cultural implications;

·         Experience with United Nations administration/financial policies and practices;

·         Working knowledge of Arabic.

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 qualification, additional professional training and progressive relevant work experience. Note: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.

Additional Information

The incumbent will be required to travel frequently throughout the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East.

Conditions of Service 

UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package at the standard P-5 level with post adjustment of 36.5% (subject to change without notice). Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include education grant, dependency allowance, home leave, pension fund, health insurance and 6 weeks of annual leave. Syria is currently a non-family duty station. Staff members based in Syria are entitled to additional benefits, subject to eligibility, including Extended Monthly Security Evacuation Allowance, danger pay and R&R leave, currently every 4 weeks (according to the UN classification of the duty station) but subject to change without notice. Initial contract is for two years, with the possibility of further extensions subject to the availability of funds and the continuing need for the post.

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. Please note that UNRWA only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. 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 (application, testing, interviewing, etc). The United Nations does not concern itself with information related to bank accounts.

General Information

UNRWA is a United Nations organization whose staff are 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 statutory 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.

On appointment, all individuals will be asked to sign a self-attestation, confirming that they have not committed, been convicted of, or prosecuted for, any criminal offence and that they have not been involved, by act or omission, in the commission of any violation of international human rights law or international humanitarian law.

Date of issue: 8 January 2017 / LF