occupied Palestinian territory: Senior External Relations and Projects Officer (Roster)
Country: occupied Palestinian territory
Closing date: 01 Sep 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.
The External Relations and Communications Department (ERCD) includes several positions of Senior External Relations and Projects Officer, each with a unique portfolio. In view of possible upcoming vacancies, ERCD seeks to establish a roster of qualified candidates who would be pre-approved for appointment to one or more of the SERPO posts depending on their profile.
Senior External Relations and Projects Officer (Roster)
Vacancy Announcement Number 13-HQ-JR-22Grade P-4Deadline for Applications 1 September 2013Duty Station Jerusalem
The Senior External Relations and Projects Officer is an integral part of the Donor Relations Division in Jerusalem and reports directly to the Chief, Donor Relations Division. In accordance with the established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent will:
Primary Duties and Responsibilities• Manage a portfolio of several donors; maintain the day-to-day relationship with these donors; provide a consistently high level of customer service to the donor representative offices in Jerusalem and Ramallah; work closely with counterparts at the Ministries on preparing bilateral agreements; analyze, review and edit project proposals and progress reports, monitor expenditure, implementation, completion and closure of donor-funded projects and draft correspondence for the purpose of fund-raising and advocacy;• Produce briefing materials and talking points for senior management including the Commissioner-General, Deputy Commissioner-General, Directors and the Representative Offices in New York, Washington and Brussels; prepare and organize missions of the Commissioner-General to donor capitals;• Promote and implement the Agency’s Resource Mobilisation Strategy with results-oriented concrete actions; organize and participate in senior level missions to donor capitals as/when needed; participate in major meetings and conferences and policy-level bilateral discussions with government civil servants or at the political level; supports Advisory Commission Secretariat with donor liaison on specific issues ensuring timely follow-up; organize and participate in donor field trips in the five fields of operation including high-level delegations from capitals;• Ensure timely follow-up and proactive coordination with concerned Departments, Field Offices and Representative Offices on contributions, donor–funded projects and external relations activities; be responsible for donor liaison and Agency coordination in the recruitment of non-regular staff including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs) and other kinds of contributions of personnel from donor governments; actively explores opportunities for new sources of funding and of non-regular staff.
Professional Knowledge and Experience• Advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution in political science, international relations, public administration, law, economic, social science or similar field;• At least eight years’ experience working for an international organization or development agency in fund raising, public information and/or external relations of which three years at least should have been at a senior level;• Experience in project management/design;• Excellent command of written and spoken English. Good working knowledge of French is highly desirable.
Competencies• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;• Ability to supervise a team (where applicable);• Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to handle details and present a persuasive case;• Proven ability to maintain good professional relations with a variety of interested stakeholders in different settings;• Ability to develop clear goals, independently plan and prioritize own work, work well under tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent activities; • Positive attitude and strong analytical, interpersonal, communication and coordination skills;• Ability to find creative solutions to problems and negotiate with and influence others;• Understanding of the culture and political complexity of the area;• Excellent computer skills.
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• Knowledge of UN system;• Knowledge of other European languages.
Conditions of Service
UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $72,467 net tax free with dependants or $67,483 single, plus post adjustment of 56.3% (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: 22 May 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.
