Chief Area Office

Do you have the dedication, skills, knowledge and experience to help us improve the life of Palestine refugees? The United Nations Relief and Works Agency offers challenging opportunities for professionals interested working in a results-driven and diverse environment. If you are then we
would like to hear from you.
UNRWA is the United Nations agency responsible for the protection, care and human development of a population of some 4.6 million Palestine refugees living in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and the Syrian Arab Republic. The Agency is committed to assisting Palestine refugees in maintaining a decent standard of living, acquiring appropriate knowledge and skills, enjoying the fullest possible extent of human rights, and leading a long and healthy life. UNRWA is by far the largest UN operation in the Middle East with over 29,000 staff. Most of the staff members are refugees themselves, working directly to benefit their communities – as teachers, doctors, nurses or social workers.

Location Gaza Field
Type of Appointment Fixed Term
Deadline for Application 21 December 2010
Vacancy Announcement Number 02-12-2010
Department/Division Office of the Field Director



JOB DESCRIPTION
The incumbent of this post is responsible to the Field Director. He/she liaises and coordinates with Field Department Heads on operational and administrative matters. The post is an essential management layer in the Field organization structure and brings a comprehensive perspective to Area level issues that cut across a wide range of programme and support service functions.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
In accordance with established Agency policy and procedures, the ideal candidate will:
-Represents the Agency at the area level and liaises with Host government authorities, refugee
community representatives and humanitarian organizations on the general application of Agency policies and programmes as well as other issues of interest to the Agency in particular the security situation likely to affect UNRWA operations, or incidents affecting the humanitarian situation of Palestine refugees;
-Leading an area management team and in close collaboration with responsible managers in the Field Office, coordinates the work of the Area Programme Officers; plans, directs and controls administrative, finance, supply, distribution, transport, personnel, building maintenance and camp service function in his/her Area to ensure that the Agency’s operations and programmes address the needs of refugees within the context of the local political, social and security situations, and reports on their effectiveness and efficiency accordingly to supervisor; assists in and advises on the integration of programmes and support service activities; where necessary, takes corrective measures within his/her authority as outlined by the Field Director;
-Is responsible for effective communication in his/her Area; disseminates information collected through regular meetings with relevant interlocutors to his/her team members, the Front Office, Heads of Programme and Support Departments;
-Monitors potential situation in his/her area, identifies risks and issues, brings together key staff to
address problems and advises the Field Director accordingly. In situations of acute emergencies and critical incidents, as declared by Field Director, is responsible for the Agency’s emergency response and has the authority over all staff and assets in the designated Area; coordinates such matters with responsible staff at Field Office level;
-Is accountable for control and disbursement of funds allotted to the Area Office by Expending Officers;
-Ensures that all programme activities include cross-cutting themes such as protection, gender equality and PCM initiatives;
-Where applicable, ensures protection issues affecting Palestine refugees in the area of responsibility are brought to the attention of the Field Protection Coordinator and are adequately addressed by Programmes and/or other relevant Departments;
-Is responsible for training of Agency staff assigned to his/her Area with particular emphasis on training Area staff in their area of expertise and broader issues including cross-cutting themes;
-Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES
-Advanced university degree in business, public administration, political science, sociology or other
related discipline.
-At least ten years of relevant experience of which five years should have been in a large governmental or international organization at a senior level.
-Excellent command of written and spoken English and Arabic.
-High level of interpersonal, supervisory and managerial skills;
-Proven negotiation skills with the community and organizational players including at progressively higher levels;
-Proven experience in dealing with sensitive situations including areas of specific security concerns;
-Ability to present information and data in a clear and instructive manner;
-Creativity and ability to take initiative;
-Sound judgment on importance, priority and confidentiality of issues;
-Ability to work under pressure.
-It is desirable to have thorough knowledge of the Agency and his/ her area;
-Possession of a valid driving license.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
-Basic Salary: Monthly basic salary $1,818.30; plus monthly dependency allowance up to $123.25 and Senior Professional Officer Allowance at the rate of 45% of the basic salary.
-Contract Duration: Three years including 1 year probation period.
-Leave: 30 days annual leave
-Pension: Provident Fund contribution
-Other conditions of service and benefits may apply.

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

 

Where there are two or more equally qualified candidates, selection preference will normally be given to internal candidates, Palestine Refugees and candidates of the under-represented gender. An internal candidate with a temporary-indefinite or fixed-term appointment selected for this post will retain his/her current contractual status and entitlements in accordance with current letter of appointment and applicable Area Staff Rules. With their prior agreement, candidates who are approved as suitable for appointment but are not the selected candidate for this vacancy, will be placed on the Agency’s roster of pre-approved candidates for a period of up to one year, and may be considered for future vacancies in the same position.
The Agency maintains the discretion to fill future vacancies for this position from the roster without readvertising the vacancy.

HOW TO APPLY
If you have got the skills and experience required above, and want to make an active and lasting contribution to improving the lives of Palestine refugees, then register on http://jobs.unrwa.ps by creating a personal profile and completing the UNRWA Personal History Form. Only applications received through this website will be considered. Please note that UNRWA only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions.
Candidates may also be invited to take a technical exam in order further evaluate their qualifications for the post. Due to a high volume of applications received, only short-listed applicants will be contacted. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. The United Nations does not concern itself with information on bank accounts.