Organization:
UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near EastCountry: Lebanon
Closing date:
20 Sep 2013UNITED 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:
Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs (Organizational Support) (re-advertised)
Candidates having previously applied need not re-apply
Vacancy Announcement Number 13-FO-LB-32Grade P-5Deadline for Applications 20 September 2013Duty Station Beirut, Lebanon
UNRWA Field Offices generally have two Deputy Directors reporting directly to the Field Director. The Deputies will each manage a substantive portfolio of programme or organizational support responsibilities for a population of approximately 450,000 registered Palestine refugees. A programme portfolio will typically involve management and oversight of the Agency’s education, health, relief & social services and microfinance programmes at Field level. The organizational support portfolio will require management and oversight of finance, human resources, procurement, logistics, engineering, IT, security. Depending on field specificity, the Field Director may split the portfolios in varying configurations to meet field needs. Currently, UNRWA seeks to fill the Deputy Director post responsible for organizational support.
The Deputy Director will contribute to the Field’s strategic and operational plans and budgets, guide and direct specialist staff, respond to emerging needs, manage staff performance and ensure optimal use of resources. Deputy Directors will liaise with staff representatives, as well as with external interlocutors including UN country teams, host government representatives, the refugee community and others. Deputy Field Directors may be assigned as Acting Field Director during the absence of the Field Director and, as such, assume full responsibility and accountability for the management of the Field. The Lebanon Field Office employs some 3,000 staff and has an annual operational budget of approximately 85 million dollars in addition to a large project budget. In accordance with the established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent will:
Primary Duties and Responsibilities• Be responsible for the management of the organizational support cluster which includes finance, administration, human resources, ICT, and procurement & logistics and is the principal adviser to the Field Director on these functions; • In close collaboration with other senior staff in the Field, ensure the development, preparation, coordination and monitoring of Field Implementation Plans, Biennium Budget, Mid-Term Strategy for the support functions, ensuring integrated approach to the management of support services and exercising decision-making authority over human and financial resources and capital assets of the Field, in line with UNRWA regulatory framework and SPARE principle;• Provide support and advice to the Field Director in implementing the Agency’s reform plan for comprehensive programme and management reform. Lead the implementation of pertinent reform initiatives in his/her organizational cluster and coordinate the work of cross-functional teams to achieve field-wide outcomes and promote integration of cross-cutting issues into the support service framework;• Provide guidance and support to senior administrative staff in his/her own area; mentor and evaluate for training purposes, as necessary;• Liaise regularly with staff representatives on staff-related matters pertaining to the Field with a view to furthering a supportive and positive work environment for all staff. Provide active support to the human resources team in avoiding and managing workplace disputes and staff grievances. Ensure, in close consultation with the Field Director and HQ that staff are kept abreast of matters affecting the Agency, the work environment and generally matters of staff interest through regular and effective communications. • Liaise with government and local authorities to ensure their cooperation in facilitating the Agency’s operations. Assist the Field Office Director in managing and promoting inter-agency and donor relations;• Act for the Director of UNRWA Affairs during his/her absence, with full responsibility for the Field operation, and reporting to the Commissioner-General (USG) and/or Deputy Commissioner-General, (ASG);• Where applicable, act as the Field security focal point and liaise with the Agency’s Chief Security Adviser and the Department of Safety and Security in the Field;• Undertake relieving assignments and perform other related duties as may be required by the Field Director.
Professional Knowledge and Experience• Advanced university degree in one of the Agency’s organizational support academic fields (Business or Public Administration, International Relations, Law, Finance, or Human Resources Management) supplemented by studies in management; • At least 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience, including at least six years at managerial level in a large governmental, international or commercial organization with oversight of organizational support functions; • Excellent command of written and spoken English.
Competencies• 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; • Strong managerial/leadership skills; demonstrated flexibility in leadership by performing and/or overseeing the analysis of complex human resources, financial, administrative or management policy and programme issues; proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling environment, including the ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff and design training/skills enhancement initiatives to ensure effective transfer of knowledge/skills; tact in negotiating skills; good judgment and decision-making skills; demonstrated ability to provide leadership and commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing; • 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; • 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; • Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities;• 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 the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; • Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
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 activities of UNRWA operations and services;• Knowledge of Middle Eastern geo-political realities and its socio-cultural implications;• Experience with United Nations administration/financial policies and practices; • Working knowledge of Arabic.
Additional InformationThe incumbent will be required to travel in UNRWA’s Area of Operations in the Middle East.
Conditions of Service
UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $86,904 net tax free with dependants or $80,734 single, plus post adjustment of 55.4% (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.
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.
