Chief, Field Infrastructure and Camp Improvement  Programme

Chief, Field Infrastructure and Camp Improvement  Programme,  Grade 20

Deadline for Applications 02 August 2020

Contract type & Duration Fixed-term appointment of 3 years including 1 year probation period, with the possibility of further extension, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory performance and continuing need of the post.

Vacancy Announcement Number VN/WB/066/2020/X

Duty Station & Department Field Office Jerusalem– Infrastructure and Camp Improvement Programme

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 professionals like you. 

UNRWA’s human development goals

UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. UNRWA has identified four human development goals as the focus of the Agency’s operations in committing to fostering human development of Palestine refugees by helping them to: lead long and healthy lives, acquire knowledge and skills, achieve decent standards of living and enjoy human rights to the fullest possible extent.

How can you make a difference? 

You will be joining a team of around 4,000 staff in the West Bank Field Office working to foster the human development of some 800,000 registered Palestine refugees.  

The incumbent reports to the Director of UNRWA Operations/Affairs, through the Deputy Director of UNRWA Operations/Affairs (Programmes) as applicable. The Director of Infrastructure and Camp Improvement, HQ (Amman), (DICI) is responsible for ensuring the achievement of professional, policy and technical standards, in line with the strategic direction of the programme. To realize this, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring consultation with and approval of the Programme Director on significant programmatic matters.

The main responsibilities include:

In accordance with Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent:

• Provides leadership for the Infrastructure and Camp Improvement Programme (ICIP) in the Field; sets plans, activities, priorities, and workflows; establishes, revises and oversees the implementation of policies and procedures; ensures UNRWA requirements are addressed and followed and ICIP services to the refugees are delivered efficiently and effectively.
• Oversees and promotes a multidisciplinary urban development overall planning and implementation that impact positively on the lives of refugees at large and particularly in the camps; enhances community participatory approaches, in close consultation with DICI and in coordination with external stakeholders, including municipalities, local authorities, other community based organizations and NGOs, in order to ensure coherence and complementarity of interventions and  consistency with UNRWA approved strategic approach and national urban development plans.
• Leads the preparation of the Programme’s strategy at the field level, contributes substantively to the Programme’s strategic planning at the Agency level and leads the planning of related activities, including budget management and advocacy and introducing innovative approaches for establishing partnerships and funding of the ICIP interventions.
• Performs the duties of the Director of Works (the Engineer under FIDIC contracts); provides overall contract administration oversight and central reviews to confirm satisfaction of all contract obligations and reducing contractual risks and liabilities of the Agency particularly in managing variations and claims; certifies the validity and accuracy of bills of quantities and financial interim and final accounts for work executed.
• Supervises plans for environmental health services in the Field and initiates and oversees new solid waste management plans in the camps; supervises other environmental health related services, including water quality control and well development, where applicable.
• Provides high level and overall supervision on  planning, design and construction of Agency facilities as well as environmental infrastructure, including those designed/supervised by external consultants, including water supply, wastewater, storm-water, roads, shelters and maintenance works in the Field, as applicable; arranges for the appointment, briefing and control of consultants in coordination with DICI.
• Writes and submits overall progress reports for the Programme in the Field; oversees preparation of other reports for internal use and for submission to external parties to the Agency such as donors and refugees; oversees preparation on results-based management reports and achievement of objectives of the Programme through analysis of indicators and trends; represents the field in external relevant meetings, and provides briefing as required.
• Oversees management of the human resources of the department, including work assignments, performance and coaching; supervises staff capacity development and training, ensuring that ICIP staff are equipped with the necessary competencies to perform their duties effectively, efficiently and ethically; responsible for facilitating individual excellence along with team excellence, ensuring that the work allocated is matching to the team members skill set; ensures better communication within the team and that the road-map is clear to all; ensures that everyone gets proper feedback on their performance and the teams’ performance, good work gets the recognition it deserves and supports.
• Makes sure that the Agency protection standards and other standards are streamlined within the Programme operations in the Field, including those dealing with safety of the built environment and its inclusiveness to accommodate people with disabilities, making sure all the time of gender related requirements and cultural dimensions.
• Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

Conditions of service  

Monthly basic salary USD2,243.60, payable in JD at UN monthly exchange rate, plus 90 % of  the basic salary as Special Occupational Allowance (SOA), plus an allowance of 1000 NIS payable in JD at UNRWA rate.

Other benefits include:

• Provident Fund contribution (15.2% of basic salary paid by the Agency).
• Dependency allowances (if applicable).
• 30 days of annual leave.
• Compulsory medical insurance.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

To qualify for this position, you will need:

Education

An advanced university degree in civil/structural engineering or architecture.

Work experience

At least ten years’ experience including at least five years in design and planning relevant to the post’s duties and responsibilities and at least five years’ experience as an engineer/architect in charge of the planning, management and execution of urban planning and construction projects.

Experience in the area of construction project management, low-income housing and infrastructure works.

Experience in involving the community and stakeholders in planning and implementation of development projects utilizing multi-disciplinary teams.

Language(s)

Excellent command of written and spoken English and Arabic.

You will also need to demonstrate the following competencies:

• High level skill in management and leadership of broad programmes.
• Supervisory skills and ability to develop staff.
• Ability to present information and data in a clear and constructive manner.
• A high level of written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to produce plans for the improvements of the camps.
• Proven knowledge and abilities of project management and contract administration.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, sound judgment and demonstrated problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet target deadlines.

Desirable qualifications:

• Experience in the infrastructure and construction industry in the Middle East.
• Experience in community development and urban planning.
• Specific experience in upgrading and/or rehabilitation projects in built environment similar to the camps.

Additional Information:

The incumbent may be:

• Required to travel outside the Field for duty purposes.
• Requested to drive within the Field in performing his/her duties, thus s/he must be willing and capable of driving a UN vehicle.
• Required to work beyond regular working hours.

Interested and qualified candidates can apply online through Apply Now - تقدم الآن لهذه الوظيفة