UNRWA/Projects Officer

United Nations Relief and Works Agency
For Palestine Refugees
West Bank
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
invites applications from qualified candidates for the post of:

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 17 May 2010
Vacancy Announcement Number 10-04-2010
Grade 16
Department/Division Office of DUO/G

JOB DESCRIPTION
The successful candidate for this job will be responsible for reviewing project needs and monitoring projects’ implementation. He/she is responsible to the Field Deputy Director and supervises staff as assigned.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
In accordance with established Agency policy and procedures, the ideal candidate:
-Verifies and reviews project needs as identified by the Programme Chiefs/Department Heads that are in line with Agency’s priorities; assists in formulating individual project plans in liaison with the respective field departments; prepares and maintains a project master plan and maintains and provides up-to-date information on all projects in the field;
-Drafts the field project proposals after verifying costs, viability of project and adherence to technical
instructions set by the relevant HQ Department. Where necessary, visits sites and project implementation venues/UNRWA installations to gain first hand knowledge of the project, to meet beneficiaries and collect other vital information that is necessary to formulate project proposals, progress reports and/or final reports. Follows up on project funding status either through headquarters or local donors; drafts correspondence thereof;
-Monitors the implementation of the projects as reported by the implementing Programme/Department and updates the Projects database accordingly. Reviews implementation to verify adherence to donor stipulations, grant agreement guidelines and deadlines. Reports to the Field Office Director through his Deputy any delays or bottlenecks hindering the speedy implementation of projects;
-Follows up on the procurement of items covered by donor funded projects by liaising with
Programme/Department Administrative Officers and Procurement Officers and updates the Projects database accordingly;
-Follows up with Finance staff on obligations, free balances and settlement of outstanding commitments in order to meet deadlines/facilitate financial reporting by HQ;
-Drafts progress and final reports of the Field’s running or completed projects;
-Suggests alternative plans to utilize free balances of funds remaining after the completion of projects in the Field;
-Liaises with and provides statistical and narrative information as required by or through the Director of External Relations;
-Maintains contact with local representatives of UN organizations, NGOs and community organizations in general and in relation to specific projects;
-Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES
-A university degree in project management, economics, development studies, business administration, engineering or other related field.
-At least six years of relevant experience, preferably including the development and management of
projects.
-Excellent command of written and spoken English and Arabic.
-Knowledge of construction methods and terminology.
-Possession of a valid driving license.
-Excellent command of relevant computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets and databases.
-Demonstrated skills in working with others and ability to handle sensitive issues.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
-Basic Salary: Monthly basic salary $1,322.00 and a Senior Professional Officer Allowance of 25% plus monthly dependency allowance up to $123.25
-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
Candidates with an equivalent combination of relevant academic qualifications, professional training and progressive work experience may also be considered.

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 human rights, for diversity, and for 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.

الأونروا هي منظمة تابعة للأمم المتحدة، وهي منظمة تفترض من موظفيها الالتزام بأعلى معايير الاستقامة والحياد والنزاهة. ويشمل ذلك احترام مبادئ حقوق الإنسان واحترام التنوع وتبني الوسائل غير العنيفة في حل آافة أشكال النزاعات. المتوقع من موظفي الأونروا أن يقوموا بدعم هذه القيم في آافة الأوقات، سواء في أماآن العمل أم خارجه. إن أولئك الأشخاص الذين يتمتعون بالالتزام الكامل وغير المشروط بهذه القيم هم فقط الذين ينبغي أن يتقدموا بطلباتهم للعمل لدى الأونروا.
 

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.