Director of UNRWA Operations, Gaza

UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST UNRWA

UNRWA is the United Nations agency responsible for responding to the humanitarian and development requirements of a population of some 5 million Palestine refugees living in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and the Syrian Arab Republic. UNRWA 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 long and healthy lives. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East. Most UNRWA staff are refugees themselves, working directly to benefit their communities - as teachers, doctors, nurses or social workers. To head its operations in Gaza, UNRWA seeks the services of a seasoned, innovative manager, highly motivated to provide leadership in the position of:

Director of UNRWA Operations, Gaza

Vacancy Announcement Number 11-FO-GA-56 Grade D-2 Deadline for Applications 24 December 2011 Duty Station Gaza

The Director of UNRWA Operations acts as UNRWA’s representative in Gaza directing UNRWA’s programmes, operations and resources including education, health, relief and social services, and microfinance rendered for a population of approximately 1.1 million registered Palestine refugees. She/he is also responsible for all programme support functions (finance, human resources, procurement & logistics, construction & engineering, general administration and public information). The Gaza Field Office employs more than 11,400 staff and has an annual operational budget of approximately 210 million US dollars in addition to a large project, emergency and reconstruction budget. Under the overall direction of the Commissioner-General and with delegated authority the Director will plan, manage and direct all aspects of UNRWA’s activities in Gaza in a context where a large and complex refugee population is affected by a volatile political, security and human rights environment. Service delivery is impeded by access and movement restrictions and severe resource limitations, requiring stringent setting of priorities, rigorous efficiency management and difficult decision-making on allocation of resources where needs exceed availability of funds. In accordance with the established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent will:

Primary Duties and Responsibilities • Lead and direct the health, education, and relief and social services programmes through subordinate managers and with technical direction from HQ by: - Assessing the needs for delivery of quasi-governmental services, drafting and implementing new programme objectives to meet the changing needs of refugee population, and re-assigning available resources to meet objectives; - Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of programmes and projects and taking corrective action where necessary; - Supervising periodic and final reporting and evaluation of all programmes. • Promote Agency objectives and refugee programme services by: - Establishing and maintaining good work relations with the host government or authorities, diplomatic missions, other UN Agencies, non-governmental agencies, and the media; - Negotiating with the host government or authorities and donors on privileges, permissions and physical assistance to improve the refugees’ situation; - Briefing officials of donor governments, embassies, local government, NGOs and other UN agencies in relation to use of contributions, pursuit of Agency programmes and the refugee situation in general; - Undertaking speaking engagements and public appearances in order to promote the position of the Agency; - Coordinating, at the country level, fundraising, public information and public relations activities and following up on fundraising appeals. • Efficiently manage the human and financial resources for the Field by: - Planning and supervising the overall activities of the offices of the field and their operational requirements; - Ensuring efficient application of Agency policies, directives and procedures set out in a number of manuals; - Motivating, training and developing staff, and providing moral support in the face of political and social upheaval and critical security situations; - Overseeing the annual preparation of field budget and work plans; - Representing the Agency in discussions on working conditions with staff unions. • As a member of the Agency’s senior-management, act as adviser to the Commissioner-General and contribute to Agency-wide policy, planning work and related discussions on political, social and economic developments in the host country or authorities, and their impact on Agency policies and programmes.

Competencies • High-level diplomatic and representational competencies in the local and international setting; • Managerial leadership in the design, planning, delivery and direction of large, public humanitarian and human development programmes; • A highly developed ability to inspire, lead and implement innovation and change in programme and support processes; • Highly effective advocacy, public communication and resource mobilization skills in promoting awareness of refugee conditions and generating international support; • Broad strategic vision which enables meaningful contribution to the achievement of UNRWA’s mission; • Political awareness, analytical abilities and sound judgment, including an understanding of geo-political context and of UNRWA’s role within the complex and volatile security and political milieu; • Proven experience in the set-up and logistical execution of complex emergency projects; • Demonstrated leadership in the effective management of human resources, finance, budget, procurement, logistics and legal support for programmes and operations; • Institutional awareness that contributes to UNRWA’s ability to maximize its goals both independently and in a UN-NGO inter-agency setting; • Security management capabilities particularly in ensuring compliance with UN systems and practices that safeguard the safety and security of staff; • Empathy and effective communication skills in interpersonal relationships, providing for effective promotion of corporate values, including genuine respect for all colleagues, dedication to duty, commitment to the UN’s purposes and principles and to upholding the professional and personal integrity of all staff; • Highly developed negotiation skills in the context of management’s relations with staff and staff unions.

Essential Qualifications and Experience • An advanced university degree in political science, social science, public or business administration, or international relations, supplemented by in-depth knowledge of Middle East geo-political realities and its socio-cultural implications; • At least 15 years of increasingly responsible professional and managerial experience of which at least 10 years should have been in a large governmental or international agency dealing with similar programmes to UNRWA’s, and at least five years of which should have been in a senior position. Extensive management experience in programme and project planning and implementation as well as experience in resources management. Experience in strategy setting, political decision making and negotiating is also essential; • Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience • Knowledge of other UN languages in particular Arabic is desirable for dealing with host government/authority officials and refugee population representatives. Knowledge of other languages is an asset for dealing with delegations from donor countries; • Knowledge of activities of UNRWA operations and services; • Knowledge of Middle Eastern culture and business practice;

Additional Information The incumbent may be required to work beyond regular working hours and to travel frequently throughout the Agency's area of operations in the Middle East.

Equivalency When the minimum requirements are not fully met, the Human Resources Department may substitute part of the unmet requirements under UNRWA’s equivalency determination guidelines with a combination of relevant academic qualification, additional professional training and/or progressive relevant work experience. Note: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered sufficient for an equivalency determination.

Conditions of Service
UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $111,950 net tax free with dependants or $102,847 single, plus post adjustment of 57% (subject to change without notice). Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include education grant, dependency allowance, home leave, pension fund, health insurance and 6 weeks annual leave. Staff members based in Gaza are entitled to additional benefits, subject to eligibility, including expanded leave provisions, hardship pay, and R&R leave every 6 weeks (according to the UN classification of the duty station and subject to change without notice). While Gaza is a non-family duty station, eligible staff members may set up a second household in a nearby location to have their family nearby. Initial contract is for one year, with the possibility of further extensions. Note: following the assessment of relevant academic qualifications and work experience, the Agency reserves the right to appoint the incumbent at one grade below the advertised level.

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. Initial contract is for one year, with the possibility of further extensions subject to the availability of funds and the continuing need for the post.

UNRWA does not charge a fee at any stage in the recruitment process.

General Information UNRWA encourages applications from qualified and experienced women.

UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

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. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

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. Initial contract is for one year, with the possibility of further extensions subject to the availability of funds and the continuing need for the post.