Social Worker

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.   Social Worker   Location Central Lebanon Area Type of Appointment Fixed Term – Three Years Employment roster Deadline for Application 25 November 2012 Vacancy Announcement Number 66/2012 Grade 10 Department/Division Field Relief & Social Services   MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES In accordance with Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent:   (A)    Prepares comprehensive case studies, needs assessments of refugees applying for special hardship assistance and makes appropriate recommendations in accordance with Relief Services Instructions (RSI); follows up on active cases and conducts periodic site re-investigations. Specifically: i)       Provides ongoing case management requirements, including receiving clients at office, documentation, data entry/modifications, referrals, completing social study reports including rejected, approved, and closed cases; ii)      Conducts individual/family interviews to recommend interventions based on a designed specific intervention plan and to address the needs of Special Hardship Cases (SHC) families using the generalist approach of social work; and closely monitors progress of targeted SHC families; (B)     Arranges for logistical support to SHC families in need of financial, medical, housing or transportation assistance, health education, social or other advocacy services essential to SHC families; (C)     Provides direct individual and short term emergency assistance to families in crises after conducting initial site assessment, making recommendations for proper interventions, and processing all related paperwork; (D)     Ensures timely delivery of approved cash and/or in-kind assistance to eligible families and follows up on the proper utilization of the assistance for its intended purpose; (E)     Identifies, evaluates and makes recommendations concerning families requesting shelter rehabilitation, based on set criteria for SHC families, and in exceptional circumstances, non-SHC families; (F)      Supervises and follows up on SHC ration distribution and ration cards; conducts home visits to those who failed to pick up their rations; (G)     Provides advice and consultation to SHC families and other refugees related to specific social and economic concerns and advises the appropriate specialized services in UNRWA or other agencies in coordination with the Community Development Social Workers, and follows up regularly on  progress; (H)     Identifies persons with potential to establish micro enterprises or benefit from apprenticeship training and facilitate their involvement in such programmes in coordination with the Community Credit Assistants (CCAs); with the objective to alleviate poverty and enhance self-reliance of impoverished SHC families; (I)        Establishes and maintains working relationship, in his/her area/camp, with allied resources, public assistance agencies, employment and training institutes and social agencies, at the operational level, making use of their services for improving  the SHC family/s socio-economic status; (J)       Participates, as requested, in workshops, meetings intended to improve professional knowledge and skills relevant to his/her field of work and transmits such acquired knowledge to other social workers; mentor newly recruited social worker; (K)     Implements, as directed, surveys and studies in the refugees community on SHC service level and quality; and (L)      Performs such other duties as may be assigned           PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES (A)   Academic and Professional University degree in social work, sociology, psychology, guidance and counseling, social anthropology or any other related degree in social development or emergency and/or humanitarian relief aid.   (B)   Experience At least two years experience in a developmental social welfare programme applying the knowledge acquired in a governmental or non-governmental organizations   (C)   Language        Command of spoken and written English and Arabic.   (D)   Competencies i)       Ability to work under pressure and challenging conditions. ii)      Ability to take initiative and maintain cordial relationship with all concerned. iii)    Ability to work effectively within a team as well as work independently without close supervision. iv)     Ability to conduct and coordinate training and participatory assessment.   DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS a)     An understanding of the refugee community and knowledge of the customs, habits, religions and traditions of various refugee groups; b)     Ability to mobilize community resources and potentials; c)     Basic computer literacy.   CONDITIONS OF SERVICE: Salary: Monthly basic salary L.L. 1,458,938.- 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. 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 (intermediate level: MS Word, MS Excel).   The top 50 scoring candidates in the written 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. 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: 05 November 2012