The incumbent works under the overall supervision of Chief Area Office (CAO) on all administrative, managerial and technical matters, is a member of the Area Management Team and serves as Security and Safety focal point and Emergency Preparedness and Response focal point for the camp and surrounding community area.
Under the supervision of CAO, represents the Agency at the camp level and the surrounding community area, as required; liaises with government authorities at the local level, including municipalities, local Internal Security Forces, local Army forces, as applicable, local refugee community representatives and humanitarian organizations and NGOs during briefings and meetings to ensure effective control and continuity of services including those related to solid waste collection in the camps as well as other issues of interest to the Agency; supports approved delegation visits to the camp, including when requested by the Director of Communications or the field director, organizing and briefing donors, journalists and other stakeholders and may randomly act as interpreter in such visits if required;
Supports all programmes; organizes and participates in meetings with Area Programme Officers in the assigned camp on a regular basis to discuss problems and challenges and suggest plans and possible courses of action; coordinates with key staff, including but not limited to Area Programme Officers, Heads of installations in the camp and Social Workers, as well as local community representatives and NGOs to discuss issues of mutual concern, address problems and report to CAO accordingly; intervenes to find solutions for disputes among refugees including those related to solid waste collection issues; 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 her/his supervisor; may be authorized to participate in or lead committees in the community;
Acts as Security and Safety focal point for the assigned camp and community area and identifies, analyses and timely reports to CAO and Field Security and Risk Management (FSRM) staff on risks and security incidents and issues affecting UNRWA personnel and installations; ensures that the Community Services Office has an evacuation plan and has basic safety equipment in place; consults with community leaders and other identified relevant actors and/or parties about appropriate community response(s) to security incidents involving Agency personnel, assets and/or installations, including reporting such incidents to the police on behalf of UNRWA where required and ensuring measures to prevent security incidents from re-occurring;
Monitors the camp's environment and the surrounding community area and identifies and timely reports to CAO on neutrality violations and protection issues affecting Palestine refugees; follows up to ensure such issues are adequately addressed by Programmes and/or other relevant Departments; in consultation with the CAO, supports and works with Protection and Neutrality (P&N) teams in gathering information, reporting protection and neutrality incidents in a timely manner, setting up meetings with beneficiaries, building relationships between the P&N teams and the community regarding protection and neutrality issues, and implementing and mainstreaming the Agency’s responses regarding protection and neutrality issues, as they arise in the assigned camp/community;
Plans, directs and manages the activities of the Community Services Office and provides direct supervision to sanitation laborers and foremen at the camp level as well as guards as requested by Area Programme Officers and CAOs; ensures the implementation of Agency and Field Administrative issuances; establishes and implements monitoring and reporting mechanisms to systematically assess progress and quality of services and the achievement of results including guard force, social services; closely monitors attendance of school attendants who work inside camps and follows up on their work during school vacations; as a member of the Area Management Team, contributes to planning, operating and controlling administrative, finance, supply, distribution, transport, personnel, and building maintenance at the Area level;
Responsible for effective communication within the assigned camp and community area; works with UNRWA programmes and communications department to disseminate information about relevant UNRWA programming and initiatives to residents and beneficiaries with a view to developing and executing appropriate public information interventions to increase/promote awareness, image and visibility of the Agency across the camp and community area; maintains Agency records, follows up and reports on petitions, claims and applications with beneficiaries, area office and other entities in the community area; maintains and updates lists of recipients of UNRWA services in the community; as applicable, provides eligibility and registration services to refugees living inside camp including collecting documents and issuing of registration cards and processes hospitalization transactions submitted by refugees;
Act as Emergency Preparedness and Response focal point for the assigned camp and community area, and under the direction and supervision of CAO, manages the Agency’s emergency preparedness and response activities within the assigned camp and community area; contributes to various written outputs such as plans, concept of operations, standard operating procedures and situation reports;
Performs other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor(s).
Strong management and facilitation skills;
Proven ability to develop and lead teams, build consensus and facilitate change and solutions among both UNRWA and community stakeholders;
Strong communication, coordination and negotiation skills;
Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders;
Proven skills in applying participatory and client-focused approach;
Effective planning and decision-making skills;
Strong problem-solving and crisis management skills;
Ability to effectively advocate and represent the interests of UNRWA with relevant stakeholders.
A university degree in business administration, law, development, human science or any related field.
(Post-Secondary diploma with additional 2 years of qualifying experience in lieu of Bachelor degree may be considered)
At least five years’ experience in humanitarian, community or social development, preferably with UN agencies or international NGOs.
(For Post-Secondary diploma total of 7 years of relevant experience may be considered).
Proven understanding of humanitarian and political challenges facing Palestine refugees in the field of operations.
Very good command of written and spoken English and Arabic.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Please make sure that your application is filled properly, correctly, and completely; any missing or incomplete information may lead to the rejection of the application by the system.
If the recruitment process generates a large number of applicants who pass the test, the Agency may interview only the top passing applicants to ensure sufficient number of candidates to be listed on a recommended list or an employment roster based on the Agency’s needs. This is intended to ensure efficiency and timeliness of the recruitment process.
Type of contract and duration: Fixed – Term appointment for 3 years including 1 year probation period, with the possibility of further extension, subject to availability of funds, satisfactory performance and continuing need.
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 applicants from under-represented groups (based on, for example, gender, 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 highly committed professionals wishing to make a change.
UNRWA’s strategic objectives: The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. In line with this mission, the Agency works towards five strategic outcomes: (a) Palestine refugee rights under international law are protected and promoted; (b) Palestine refugee health is protect and disease burden is reduced; (c) school – age children complete quality, equitable and inclusive basic education; (d) Palestine refugee capabilities are strengthened for increased livelihood opportunities; and (e) Palestine refugees are able to meet their basic human needs of food, shelter and environmental health.
UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions.
Equivalency: Candidates with an equivalent combination of relevant academic qualifications, professional training and progressive work experience may also be considered.
N.B: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.
Desirable qualification: Solid knowledge of camp conditions and refugee issues;
Sound commitment to UNRWA’s Ethics and Values.
Resident of the camp or neighbouring area.
Conditions of service: Monthly basic salary USD 1,542.50 + SPLA USD 167
Other benefits include monthly Provident Fund contribution (15.2% of basic salary paid by the Agency), compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, and dependency allowance (if applicable).
Candidates need to check the Junk Email as emails from INSPIRA may go to Junk; it is the candidate's responsibility to check his/her email.
Additional information: N/A
General Information: This vacancy notice is open to internal and external candidates. Only candidates residing in Lebanon with authorization to work in that duty station at the time of application are eligible to apply. The Agency will not assume responsibility to support or facilitate the issuance of work permit in the duty station, and without a valid work permit, the appointment may be rescinded.
During and after the completion of the recruitment process, candidate’s request for review of decisions must be submitted within 48 hours from the formal notification by UNRWA. Requests received after that will not be considered.
UNRWA is a United Nations agency whose staff are therefore 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.
The Agency will disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List.
UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.
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.
Please find below the link to a video that guides applicants on how to apply to Job Openings that approach you for guidance:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MH-IYA6Y8kxA1fgao5qyTV8VwNajgx4u/view?usp=sharing
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her.
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 applicants from under-represented groups.
At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
UNRWA Considerations
UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List.
UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.