Area Relief Social Services Officer

UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST – UNRWA   UNRWA is the United Nations agency responsible for the protection, care and human development of a population of some 4.6 millionPalestinerefugees living in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank,Jordan,Lebanon, and theSyrianArabRepublic. The Agency is committed to assistingPalestinerefugees 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 theMiddle Eastwith 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. Area Relief Social Services Officer   Location Beqa’a Area Type of Appointment Fixed Term – Three Years Deadline for Application 19 February 2013 Vacancy Announcement Number 02/2013 Grade 13 Department/Division Relief and Social Services   MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES In accordance with Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent: (A)     Supervises and controls the implementation of special hardship assistance programme in his/her area and ensures that relevant programme criteria and operating instructions are fully met through: i)        Carrying frequent reviews and checks on Special Hardship Cases (SHC) Family Files to ensure proper documentation, safety and confidentiality; ii)      Approving the enrolment of refugee families in the SHC programme for provision of assistance according to the Relief Services Instructions (RSI);- iii)     Ensuring regular and timely preparation of priority lists of SHC families for assistance (ration and cash subsidy distribution, shelter rehabilitation, selective cash assistance….etc); iv)     Conducting random field visits to active SHC families to ensure reliability of collected individual and family data and adherence of the implementing staff to the standard eligibility criteria on SHC assistance, and providing relevant training, guidance/advice to Social Workers (SHC), where and when necessary; v)       Monitoring and following-up on the distribution process to ensure efficient and smooth running of food rations and cash subsidies in accordance with Relief Services Instructions and policies, and conducting regular inspections on food distribution centres/mobile distribution units; (B)     Coordinates and follows-up with RSS staff, distribution team, finance clerk, heads of divisions and concerned area and field staff on timely and proper/efficient delivery/response of approved/recommended assistance to SHC clienteles; (C)     Plans and holds regular meetings with RSS staff under his/her supervision for information sharing, problem solving and coordination, and ensures that the Relief and Social Services Programmes are well publicized in his/her area; coordinates training activities for RSS staff at area level; (D)     Provides administrative and logistical support to the Community Development (CD) Social Workers in his/her area; (E)     Co-ordinates with the Area/Camp Registration Officer in his/her area on the implementation of eligibility and registration instructions, manuals and procedures governing its activities; (F)      Promotes, in collaboration with Area/Camp Social Work Supervisor (A/CSWS), joint multi-disciplinary, holistic and integrated activities targeting clients and ensures that SHC families’ needs are addressed through this approach; (G)     Coordinates for pre-planned needs assessment studies carried out by RSSD, and liaises with local community organizations and NGOs to improve networking, coordination and enhance RSS use of local assets and resources; ensures ongoing coordination with other UNRWA programmes and projects in his/her area; (H)     Ensures that the Field Relief Services Officer and Relief Operations Officer (where applicable) are promptly notified on any emergency where direct relief is required, and co-ordinates with other Field staff assigned to any emergency response services; (I)        Acts as the focal point for refugees’ inquiries and petitions; encourages community members to actively participate in the Community-Based Organizations’ (CBOs) activities; maintains custodianship over RSSD premises and reports on contravention and incursions; (J)       Prepares all required reports including monthly/quarterly and other ad hoc reports; (K)     Performs such other duties as may be assigned.     PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES (A)   Academic and Professional A university degree in social work, sociology, psychology, social anthropology, guidance and counseling or other related discipline.   (B)   Experience i)        At least three years experience in relief services and/or social development programmes applying the knowledge in (A), of which one year should be in management, preferably in a similar programme; ii)      Training in action oriented social research and participation in at least two research projects.   (C)   Language          Good command of written and spoken English and Arabic.   (D)   Competencies i)        Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in team working environment; ii)      Knowledge of social development principles and concepts; iii)     Excellent communication and negotiation skills, sound judgment and demonstrated   problem-solving skills; iv)     Supervisory skills and ability to develop staff; v)       Very good analytical and reporting ability; vi)     Ability to use the computer especially programmes used by UNRWA.   DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS A)     Knowledge of the socio-economic conditions of the Palestine Refugees and knowledge of the customs and habits of different refugee groups; B)     Experience in promoting/resourcing community development projects.   CONDITIONS OF SERVICE Salary: Monthly basic salary L.L. 1,863,955.- Contract Duration: Fixed term-Three years Holidays: 30 days annual leave Dependency allowance: Dependent spouse: L.L 60,000 per month     Dependent child: L.L 33,000 per month Pension:  Provident Fund contribution   EQUIVALENCY Candidates with an equivalent combination of relevant academic qualifications, professional training and progressive work experience may also be considered.   RECRUITMENT PROCESS The Recruitment process is based on the Agency’s strategy to obtain the best qualified and suitable employees through a competitive recruitment process. After the deadline for receiving applications, all applications will be reviewed by the Human Resources Office and the Hiring Department.  Short-listed candidates who fully meet the required criteria shall undergo technical/practical tests and the candidates with the highest passing scores will then be invited to interview (see “Technical and Practical Tests Required” below). The final recommendation for selection is based on the test results, interview assessment, Agency priorities and needs and the candidates’ profiles. For all posts, the weight allocated for the technical/practical tests (listed below) is 60% and for the interview is 40%.    GENERAL INFORMATION UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications equally from men and women. It is Agency Policy to give full consideration to qualified disabled candidates whose disability does not impact their ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of the post.   As a member of the United Nations system, UNRWA maintains a close relatives’ policy.  In this regard, if a candidate has a close relative (mother, father, brother, sister, son or daughter) who is already employed by the Agency, he/she can only be employed if the Agency is unable to find another suitable candidate.   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 working environment. 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 كافة أشكال النزاعات.  المتوقع من موظفي الأونروا أن يقوموا بدعم هذه القيم في كافة الأوقات، سواء في أماكن العمل أم خارجه. إن أولئك الأشخاص الذين يتمتعون بالالتزام الكامل وغير المشروط بهذه القيم هم فقط الذين ينبغي أن يتقدموا بطلباتهم للعمل لدى الأونروا. الأنروا هي بيئه عمل لا يسمح فيها بالتدخين.   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. If the post is a project funded post (this will be indicated in the vacancy), an internal candidate with a temporary-indefinite or fixed-term appointment selected for this post will not retain his/her current contractual status and entitlements in accordance with current letter of appointment and applicable Area Staff Rules. The Agency maintains the discretion to fill future vacancies for this position from the roster without re-advertising the vacancy.   TECHNICAL & PRACTICAL TESTS REQUIRED Short-listed candidates will sit for two tests: Computer based technical test (100%). Computer test (Pass/Fail), which includes (Basic level: MS Word 2003).   The top 5 scoring candidates in the computer based technical test given that (i) none have scored less than 50%, and (ii) none have failed the computer test, will be invited to interview.    HOW TO APPLY If you have the skills and experience required above, and want to make an active and lasting contribution to improving the lives of Palestinerefugees, then register on http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing the UNRWA Personal History Form. Only applications received through this website will be considered and the system will not allow applications after the deadline. 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 –“سيتم الإتصال فقط بالأشخاص الذين تنطبق عليهم متطلبات الوظيفة”. 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. For any queries, please send an email to recruitmentquestions@unrwa.org   Date of issue: 21 January 2013