Coordinator-Career Guidance Unit

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. Coordinator-Career Guidance Unit Location Lebanon Field Office Type of Appointment Consultant Deadline for Application 14 March 2015 Vacancy Announcement Number 992/2015 Department/Division Education Department   BACKGROUND UNRWA’s network of schools and vocational training centres represent the main educational system for Palestine refugees in Lebanon. During the 2014-2015 scholastic year, UNRWA provided elementary, preparatory and secondary educational services to 38,173 Palestine refugee children in 76 schools.  In addition, UNRWA vocational training centre offers 28 specializations to a student body of approximately 1200 trainees per year in its two campuses located in south and north Lebanon. Choices made by school-age students regarding their desire to pursue university studies, vocational training or simply to enter directly into the workforce have a life-long impact on an individual. As a modern education and training systems UNRWA provides young people with crucial support services to education and employment, such as career guidance, in particular at key transition points in education (i.e. at the cross-roads from elementary or preparatory to secondary general or vocational education, at the transition from school to work). The need to be guided in the choice of education is of particular importance in the Palestinian context as traditional values and family influence still play an important role in guiding students’ decisions and direct them towards professions that are not in line with their competences, skills, aspirations and the needs of the labour market. Since 2012, the provision of career guidance services has improved considerably. At school level, new career guidance counsellors were appointed and heavily trained which was translated into better and more customized orientation services. Outreach and communication mechanisms have been improved to include a new web page and a Facebook page, an annual academic fair and new high quality materials have been produced and widely disseminated.   In line with the recently adopted TVET Strategy (2014), during the coming years the Education Department will continue strengthening and expanding the provision of career guidance services by adopting  a life-cycle approach to career guidance expanding the current target groups (Grade 9 and 12) to include all grade levels, drop-outs and unemployed youth. To this end, the agency will build the capacity of staff in schools, VTCs and ESCs to provide quality services. Outreach and communication systems will be strengthen to ensure refugees are making informed decisions that will affect their ability to obtain gainful employment. Particular attention will be paid to gender-specific challenges to facilitate women’s entry into the labour market.   UNRWA is looking for a qualified Career Guidance Specialist to manage the Career Guidance Unit and supervise the implementation of activities.   MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES In accordance with established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent: (A)    Under the supervision of the Deputy/Chief Field Education programme, the incumbent will be responsible for the management of the Career Guidance Unit. (B)    Coordinate the implementation of the Career Guidance Strategy in Lebanon in compliance with the Agency’s policies and procedures (C)   Contribute to the strategic planning process of the Career Guidance Unit and contribute to ensure evidence-based programming. (D)   Be responsible for the overall effective and efficient management of the Career Guidance Unit and oversee the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all activities. (E)    Supervises the implementation of the projects under the CGU to ensure compliance to UNRWA strategic framework, procedures and regulations as well as donor guidelines and approved budget. (F)    Direct management of CGU staff (G)   Liaise and coordinate with other departments to obtain maximum benefit and efficient use of resources in the implementation of programmes activities. (H)   Participate in the preparation of the biennium budget of the CGU; attends budget reviews, supervises expenditure and control over budget in coordination with relevant finance staff (I)      Ensures the mainstreaming of cross cutting issues: human rights, gender, youth, and disabilities into all Career Guidance activities (J)    Perform other duties as may be assigned   PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES (A)  Academic and Professional        Advanced university degree in Education Management, Educational Psychology, Guidance & Counseling, Development Studies, Management or other related fields;   (B)  Experience A minimum of 5 years relevant work experience in the field of Education and/or TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) management, Guidance & Counseling; Programme Management;   (C)  Language Excellent command of spoken and written English and Arabic . (D)  Skills and Competencies i)     Strong planning, management and coordination skills; ii)    Familiarity with the Lebanese or Middle East educational system an advantage; iii)  Ability to work effectively in a multicultural/multinational environment; iv)  Excellent communication and reporting skills; v)   Ability to conduct field visits (up to 30% of the assignment duration); vi)  Good computer and other IT skills. vii) A commitment to UN values of non-discrimination on the basis of race, gender, economic status, or religion.   CONDITIONS OF SERVICE Salary: As per relevant salary scale. Contract Duration: twelve months - Extendable according to availability of funds, needs and performance.   EQUIVALENCY Candidates with an equivalent combination of relevant academic qualifications, professional training and progressive work experience may also be considered.   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. Priority will be given to fully qualify registered Palestinian refugees. Prior to the commencement of services,the consultant shall confirm and acknowledge in writing,and provide proof of the existence of,self-procured adequate private insurance against medical,disability and accident for the duration of the contract. 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 staff members with fixed term appointments may apply for any consultant/contractor consultancy while in service. Upon selection, a staff member may be offered the consultant/contractor contract upon resignation from fixed term appointments and a three month break-in-service. Candidates who are no longer employed by the Agency must have a minimum of 3 months break-in-service, before they apply to any consultant/contract positions.   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 staffs 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.   As an Area post, preference will be given to local candidates already based in the duty station of the post.   TECHNICAL & PRACTICAL TESTS REQUIRED Not applicable.   INTERVIEW All shortlisted candidates will be invited for an Interview (100%).   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 Palestine refugees, then register on http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing the UNRWA Personal History Form; it is the responsibility of the candidates (internal and external) to make sure that their Personal History Form is duly completed with the needed information before they apply as amendments to the Form will not be accepted after the deadline of the vacancy announcement. 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. Please apply as requested above, do not send your CV To this email address, all cvs sent to this email address will be automatically ignored. يرجى تقديم الطلبات حسب التعليمات اعلاها وعدم ارسال السيرة الذاتية الى هذا البريد الالكتروني, سيتم تجاهل السير الذاتية التي ترسل الى هذا العنوان تلقائيا. or contact the recruitment unit on 009611840490.   Date of issue: 05 March 2015