Research 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 million Palestine refugees living in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and the Syrian Arab Republic. The Agency is committed to assisting Palestine refugees 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 the Middle East with 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. Research Officer   Location Lebanon Field Office Type of Appointment Consultant Deadline for Application 02 October 2014 Vacancy Announcement Number 951/2014 Department/Division Office of the Director – Programme Support Office   BACKGROUND The majority of the 260-280,000 Palestine refugees living in Lebanon live in one of the 12 official camps or in the unofficial gatherings, usually in the vicinity of the camp. The camps in Lebanon are characterized by overcrowding, substandard shelters and infrastructure, high rates of unemployment and poor health. In this context, two-thirds of Palestine refugees live under the poverty line while 6.6% subsist in extreme poverty, spending less than the monetary equivalent necessary to cover their basic daily food needs.   Despite their longstanding presence in Lebanon, Palestine refugees remain excluded from key aspects of social, political and economic life in the country. They have very limited social and civil rights, restricted access to the government’s public health or educational facilities, and no access to public social services. Restrictions also applied to the right to work.   The complex political and economic context of Lebanon together with the restrictions imposed on Palestine refugees regarding their right to work discourage young people and many of those of working age from seeking a job or continuing their education. Currently, the Palestinian labour force reaches 120,000 of which only 37% are working. The employment rate is even lowest among refugees under 25 years old (25%) and they constitute half of the refugee population. Joblessness also has a strong gender dimension, as only 13% of those employed are women compared to 65% of men.   Those with a job are often in low status, casual and precarious conditions insufficient to lift them out of poverty. Further, Palestine refugee workers continue to be deprived on minimum labour rights, with only a small share receiving paid sick leave (26%), a smaller share receiving vacation leave (17%), and only 3% entitled to pension or indemnity benefits.  Nearly 80% of Palestine refugees work with an oral agreement rather than a written contract, leaving the majority vulnerable to abuse, without means of claiming rights or entitlements if they experience conflict with an employer. Only 2% of Palestine refugees hold a work permit.   Improving access to employment for Palestine refugees is one of UNRWA´s key strategic objectives in Lebanon. UNRWA´s vision is for Palestine refugees to be able to obtain decent jobs, enabling them to escape from poverty and to live with dignity. To this purpose, UNRWA is implementing, with funding from the European Union, the project ‘Education, Training and Employment Support for Palestine refugee youth in Lebanon’. The project aims at enhancing the employment prospects of Palestine refugee youth in Lebanon by i) improving the quality of education and supportive services provided to Palestine refugee children in UNRWA schools, thus improving school achievement and retention; and ii) by increasing the quality of technical and vocational education and training available to Palestine refugee youth and  extending and improving the provision of career guidance and employment services available to Palestine refugee youth in Lebanon.   Component I: General Education: Education and Supportive Services in UNRWA Schools   UNRWA has been providing educational services to Palestine refugees in Lebanon for more than 60 years and remains the main provider of education for Palestine children. However, over the past years, UNRWA has experienced a steady decline in the number of enrolled students. In 2002, 42,022 students attended our schools. In 2010 the number dropped to 32,191 students. This represents a 33.4% drop in our school population within eight years. These findings reveal an alarming cycle of under-education, producing another generation of refugees with limited human capital. This low level of educational attainment has a direct impact on income-earning opportunities and on other lifestyle measures such as food security and poverty incidence.   Component I of the project aims at contributing to tackle the problem of dropouts by improving the quality of education and improving achievement levels in UNRWA schools. The Education Department has identified the following six expected results: 1. Strengthening the Learning Support Programme, 2. Offer professional development training for teachers, Education Specialist and management staff, 3. Develop new English and Arabic text books in the Elementary and Preparatory cycles, 4. Upgrade school environment and infrastructures, 5. Improve educational monitoring and information systems 6. Provide Summer learning activities to students.   Component II: Technical and Vocations Education and Training (TVET), Career Guidance and Employment Services   Component II of the project covers a number of multi-dimensional interventions including vocational training, career guidance and employment services with the overall goal of increasing the employability of Palestine refugees, improving their capacity to make informed decisions regarding their future, and increasing access to quality employment opportunities.    TVET: Given the high level of drop out and non-enrolment in UNRWA schools, in parallel to its schooling services, it is essential that access to TVET is facilitated. UNRWA currently provides vocational training for approximately 1,200 Palestinian youth at Siblin Training Centre located in the Village of Siblin (South Campus) and Nahr el-Bared (North Campus). Beyond the technical skills acquired through vocational training, trainees are provided with soft skills related to areas such as language, computer management, interpersonal communication and workplace conduct.   Career Guidance: Choices made by school-age students regarding their desire to pursue TVET, university or simply to enter directly into the workforce have a life-long impact on an individual. As such, UNRWA Career Guidance Unit (CGU) plays a central role in providing effective guidance and correct educational information to young Palestine refugees to help them make a well-informed career life decision by matching their skills, interests and competencies with the market needs.   Employment Services: UNRWA currently runs four fully operational Employment Service Centres across Lebanon (Beirut, Saida, Tyre and the North), that provide employment services for Palestine refugees. Services range from those aimed at reinforcing employability (referral to vocational training or further education; CV preparation; job coaching workshops) through to direct referral and placement into identified job opportunities. The ESCs also play an important role in advocating for expanding Palestine refugees’ legal rights and emphasize the Palestinian labour force’s positive contribution to the Lebanese economy.   MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES The incumbent of the post works under direct supervision of the Programme Support Office. He/she will further receive advice and technical guidance from the Education Department (EU Project Manager). The incumbent’s performance will be monitored internally including the design of a work plan with objectives and deliverables at the beginning of the service, a mid-term review and a final end of the service appraisal. In accordance with established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent: (A)     Collect and analyze data and information relevant to the implementation of the project and make recommendations as appropriate; (B)     Conduct primary and secondary research on the labour market conditions, trends and needs to inform evidence based programming of the relevant components of the project; (C)     Maintain valid and up to date database of statistical information relevant to socio-economics and labour market forecasting in specified sectors; (D)     Coordinate the bi-annual tracking of TVET graduates and write a comprehensive report; (E)     Coordinate and provide quality assurance support for the studies conducted under the project. This includes support for the data-collection, data analysis and reporting activities; (F)      Presenting and disseminating research results, both orally and in writing; (G)     Offering research-based briefings and advice, which may involve writing action plans; (H)     Preparing and presenting proposals for new research projects; (I)        Write reports, briefings and other ad-hoc documents; (J)       Explore opportunities to establish linkages with Universities and think tanks for research collaborations in related fields.     PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES (A)   Academic and Professional i)      Advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution, in Education, Economics, Political or Social Science, Development Studies, Business Administration or related field; ii)     Added asset: Diploma/certificate on data processing, and data analysis computer –based programme (SPSS)   (B)   Experience Six to eight years of relevant experience in the field of research including social research, social planning or statistics at UN, multilateral or bilateral international organizations and NGOs, of which at least one year outside one’s home country, in a development and/or humanitarian context.   (C)   Language i)      Excellent command of spoken and written English ii)     Knowledge of Arabic is an asset   (D)   Skills and Competencies i)      Good knowledge of sustainable development and humanitarian work. ii)     Strong social research, social planning and writing skills iii)   Strong quantitative and analytical skills; iv)    Strong command of statistics methods and tools v)     Proven excellence in drafting, particularly in analytical writing, report writing, and written communication on data and research, policy, operational and organizational development matters; vi)    Ability to independently plan and prioritize own work, work effectively to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent activities; vii)  Evidence of ability to think strategically; to express ideas clearly; to work independently and in intercultural teams; viii) Positive attitude with ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect of diversity; ix)   Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a team environment and with people of diverse backgrounds, culture and nationalities x)    Excellent command of MS-Office, including Excel; xi)   Strong work ethic and professional commitment.   CONDITIONS OF SERVICE Salary: Monthly salary (full package) USD $2,500.- $3,000.- Contract Duration: One year - Extendable according to availability of Funds.   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 test: Computer based technical test (100%).   The top 05 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: 15 September 2014