Operations 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. Operations Officer   Location Lebanon Field Office Type of Appointment Contractor Deadline for Application 28 May 2013 Vacancy Announcement Number 964/2013 Department/Division Office of the Director - Emergency Unit    MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES In accordance with established Agency policy and procedures, the Operation Officer, in close coordination with the Emergency Coordination Officer (ECO), Chiefs Area Officers (CAO) and Heads of Programs and Support Departments, the incumbent will be responsible for: (A)     Support the need analysis process and produce pertinent recommendations for UNRWA PRS humanitarian response in support of and coordination with other partners; (B)     Support the elaboration and implementation of projects and activities within the existing UNRWA framework and mandate; (C)     In coordination with the Emergency Coordination Officer (ECO), partners and CAOs, integrate UNRWA projects and activities within the broader PRS humanitarian response; (D)     Coordinate actively with humanitarian sectorial groups and partners to insure coherence of UNRWA’s response; (E)     Represent UNRWA at the coordination meetings (sectorial and geographical) ; (F)      In coordination with the Donor Response Unit, Heads of Programs and CAO’s monitor and track UNRWA projects / activities to insure pertinent planning and gap / duplication analysis; (G)     In coordination with the Contingency planer, assist in the elaboration and updating of contingency planning; (H)     In coordination with the Information Manager Officer (IMO) / Database manager and other stakeholders: Collect and communicate verified key information and data Support the development and maintenance of the PRS database. (I)        Perform other tasks in support of UNRWA PRS response.   PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES (A)   Academic and Professional A University degree in international relations or social science or any related. Experience in a related area may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.   (B)   Experience        A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian programming, logistics or related area. Experience with the UN, national government of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), or other relevant organization.   (C)   Language        Excellent command of written and spoken English, Arabic is desirable.   (D)   Skills and Competencies i)        A good understanding of the United Nations system; ii)      Interpersonal skills: Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise iii)     Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority     activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; iv)     Professionalism: Knowledge of project management, monitoring and evaluation methodologies, strong conceptual and analytical skills, and demonstrated problem solving abilities required   CONDITIONS OF SERVICE Salary: Monthly salary (full package) USD $2,300.- Contract Duration: Six months (Renewable depending on funding availability).   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 not be considered for any consultant/contractor position while 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.   TECHNICAL & PRACTICAL TESTS REQUIRED Short-listed candidates will sit for one test: Computer test (Pass / Fail) (Basic level: MS Word 2003, MS Power Point 2003, and intermediate level: MS Excel 2003).   Shortlisted candidates that none have failed the computer test will be invited for an interview.    HOW TO APPLY If you have got 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. 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. يرجى تقديم الطلبات حسب التعليمات اعلاها وعدم ارسال السيرة الذاتية الى هذا البريد الالكتروني.     Date of issue: 15 May 2013