Outreach 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. Outreach Officer   Location Lebanon Field Office Type of Appointment Contractor  (2 posts) Deadline for Application 13 January 2015 Vacancy Announcement Number 933/2014 Department/Division Relief & Social Services Programme      MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES In accordance with established Agency policy and procedures, the Outreach Officer will provide support to UNRWA’s Relief & Social Services Department / Microcredit & Community Support Program (MSCP) inLebanonin the overall implementation of the microcredit component of the project entitled: Spring – Improving Living Conditions in Palestinian Camps inLebanon. The incumbent will work closely with the Income Generation Officer under the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief Field Relief and Social Programme. S/He will: (A)    Maps the existing training providers to seek graduates with potentials for loans; and identifies skillful potential refugees for loans; (B)    Identifies new loan products based on market needs; (C)    Screens the prospective borrowers for starts up and existing businesses, including explaining the loan application form, analyzing the loan request and visits the business; (D)   Liaises with the ESC Counseling / Registration officer to ensure a robust strategy for targeting potential self-employment seekers, in line with the labor market needs identified; (E)    Provided support to the Community Credit Assistant in the areas in monitoring progress of funded businesses; in counseling borrowers mainly those in arrears and deals with problem loans; (F)    Participate in the development of strategy and plan to reach out individual potential entrepreneurs; (G)   Implement awareness raising sessions about the project and the program to NGOs representatives and individuals; (H)    Report and feedback on a biweekly basis the Employment Officer on the outcomes of the outreach visits; (I)      Performs such other duties as may be assigned.   PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES (A)   Academic and Professional        A University degree in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Social Development or other related field.   (B)   Experience        Three years experience in micro-enterprise development activities, marketing, business, social work or similar activities.   (C)   Language          Excellent command of spoken and written English and Arabic.   (D)   Skills and Competencies i)    Good communication and negotiation skills, sound judgment and demonstrated problem-solving skills; ii)   Good analytical and reporting ability; iii)  Ability to operate standard computer software; iv)  Ability to work under pressure and challenging conditions;   DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS i)    Previous experience with UNRWA or other UN Agency; ii)   Special training in small business development and/or micro-credit; iii)  Experience in working with internally displaced or refugee population. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION i)    Is required to travel in the field; must be willing and qualified to drive an Agency vehicle in the course of duty; ii)   Possession of a valid driving license.   CONDITIONS OF SERVICE Salary: As per relevant salary scale. Contract Duration: to fill two vacant posts at Lebanon Field Office till February 2016 – Not Extendable.   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: Short-listed candidates will sit for one tests: Computer based technical test (100%).   The top 10 scoring candidates in the computer based technical test given that none have scored less than 50%, will be invited for an 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 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: 31 December 2014