occupied Palestinian territory: Chief of Staff
Country: occupied Palestinian territory
Closing date: 30 Aug 2013
UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCYFOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EASTUNRWA
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff. UNRWA seeks the services of a seasoned and innovative professional, highly motivated to provide skilled leadership in the position of:
Chief of Staff
Vacancy Announcement Number 13-HQ-JR-30Grade D-1/D-2Deadline for Applications 30 August 2013Duty Station Jerusalem
Under the direct supervision of the Commissioner General, the Chief of Staff provides leadership in coordinating all aspects of UNRWA’s management and serves as an authoritative advisor to the Commissioner-General on all matters. S/he plays the central role in the development of policies, management, driving reforms and systems enhancements aimed at an optimal utilization of UNRWA resources reflecting the Agency’s strategic objectives and priorities in a decentralized environment. S/he ensures the integrity and transparency of UNRWA management. In accordance with the established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent will:
Primary Duties and Responsibilities• Be responsible for ensuring the integrated and coherent functioning of UNRWA Commissioner-General (CG) and Deputy Commissioner-General (DCG) decision making across the Agency in all fields, departments and locations; oversee the core mechanisms and processes that enable the implementation of CG and DCG decision making, in particular operational planning, policy coordination, senior-level decision-making and high-level information management; be accountable to the CG for ensuring that all key corporate potential decisions are identified and tracked, that there is a well-defined decision-making process, proposed decisions are framed and presented to the CG in the appropriate way, and all decisions and follow-up actions are announced to all those concerned and their implementation is monitored; • Ensure the effective direction and management of all the Executive Office activities in line with the strategic vision and guidance of the CG/DCG; manage “Implementation Management Group” for all major programmes and initiatives that require a coordinated approach to Agency implementation including, for example, significant programme reforms or institutional support functions; manage the processes for the UNRWA Management Committee (MC) including the design, agenda and preparations for its meetings, brief and support the Chair during the meetings, ensure that a summary record of decisions is finalized promptly and that there is disciplined follow-up; be a member of the MC;• Provide guidance on United Nations policies and procedures; coordinate the development and implementation of management policies among the Agency; ensure that advice and information on policy issues are coordinated within the Agency; facilitate the translation of policy intent and high-level direction by CG/DCG of the Agency into viable work plans, and work with fields/departments to ensure the implementation of those work plans; periodically review with the Agency leadership, the delivery of work plans, identifying necessary adjustments to Agency plans and/or revised assumptions, as appropriate;• Act as the Advisor to the CG on political, strategic and policy issues. In this context, carry out special assignments on behalf of the CG to resolve sensitive issues with respect to Hosts and Donors, the AdCom, UN system, and internal management; ensure that the CG receives effective support in speech-writing and other designated services; act to resolve any sensitive issues as they arise;• Oversee the development and guide the implementation and evaluation/analysis of related policies, strategies and practices to support staff relation-related efforts Agency-wide; in coordination with Director of Human Resources conduct communications and negotiations with staff unions Agency-wide to develop mutually beneficial approaches to staff issues and concerns; • Monitor the functioning of the working relationships between HQ and the Fields and act to resolve any confusion of roles or deteriorating working relations by maintaining close contact with all MC Directors;• Oversee the coordination of and support to Field Offices with regular meetings between heads of Field Offices, Headquarters Directors and Representational Offices on matters relating to the Executive Office; oversee the activities of all entities located in the Office of the Chief of Staff or the Office of CG/DCG unless otherwise specified;• Ensure a clear understanding between substantive priorities and support capacities; liaise with all stakeholders to advise and ensure the use of the best methods for achieving the objectives and priorities of the Agency.
Professional Knowledge and Experience• Advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution in political science, international relations, international economics, law, public administration, or related field; • At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in areas such as political, social, civil, humanitarian, or legal affairs; public or business administration;• Proven track record of leadership and management in multicultural settings, including coordination of interdisciplinary teams. Experience serving in an advisory or managerial capacity in United Nations field operations; • Experience in the Middle Eastern context; • Fluency in written and spoken English.
Competencies• Professionalism: Knowledge of the work of intergovernmental bodies, the work of the United Nations and its related bodies concerned with political, economic, social and related matters. Ability to evaluate international political situations in area of assignment. Ability to manage and coordinate many different levels and participants in operations in both the field and UN common system. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of peace operations; • Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands; provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing;• Judgment/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Agency; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary;• Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Agency’s strategy and the Department/Field’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling Agency direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities; • Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly; • Planning and Organising: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently; • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve Agency goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings;• Building Trust: Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion; manages in a deliberate and predictable way; operates with transparency; has no hidden agenda; places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; gives proper credit to others; follows through on agreed upon actions; treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately;• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Equivalency When the minimum requirements are not fully met, the Director of Human Resources may exceptionally substitute part of the unmet requirements with a combination of relevant academic qualification, additional professional training and progressive relevant work experience. NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.
Desirable Qualifications• Experience in both inter-agency and operational planning and analysis;• Experience in the mission area and with refugee or other vulnerable groups humanitarian situations; • Knowledge of Arabic language;• Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
Additional InformationThe incumbent will be required to travel frequently in the Agency's area of operations in the Middle East.
Conditions of Service
UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at For D-1 level: $103,204 net tax free with dependants or $95,394 single and For D-2 level: $112,096 net tax free with dependants or $102,981 single, plus post adjustment of 58.4% (subject to change without notice). Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include education grant, dependency allowance, home leave, pension fund, health insurance and 6 weeks of annual leave. All UNRWA duty stations (with the exception of Gaza and Syria) are family duty stations. Initial contract is for two years, with the possibility of further extensions subject to the availability of funds and the continuing need for the post.
How to ApplyTo start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Please note that UNRWA only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted.
UNRWA does not charge a fee at any stage in the recruitment process.
General InformationUNRWA encourages applications from qualified and experienced women.
UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.
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 work environment.
Date of issue: 30 July 2013/LF
How to apply:
To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Please note that UNRWA only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted.
UNRWA does not charge a fee at any stage in the recruitment process.
