Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change.

If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you.

The Head Field Human Resources Office is responsible for managing and monitoring the Agency’s most valuable assets, its workforce. More specifically, the incumbent’s responsibilities include attracting and retaining talented individuals, building trust, motivating staff, ensuring that staff possesses the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to perform their responsibilities, and preparing employees for future challenges. The incumbent is the principal Adviser to the Director of Field Affairs and his/her Deputies on all human resources matters.

The Head Field Human Resources Office is responsible to the Deputy/Director of UNRWA Affairs and receives technical guidance and advice from the Director of Human Resources.

Responsibilities

– Provides strategic advice and support to the Field Director and his/her deputy, managers and staff on human resources related matters including core HR areas such as recruitment, appointment, transfer and assignment of Area staff in the Field and temporary staffing arrangements, management of reassignments and disciplinary issues; provides reports on all HR related activities; prepares special reports and participates and/or leads special human resources projects; keeps abreast of developments in various areas of human resources; designs and implements a comprehensive communication plan whereby the staff and community are kept abreast of issues related to HR matters;

– Manages, supervises and monitors the work of the Field Human Resources Department team in carrying out all human resources transactions including preparation of personnel actions, maintenance of staffing tables and processing of contracts; ensures the team’s timely response to all requests on human resources related matter; responsible for setting the Human Resources strategic plan/vision; provides coaching, mentoring and training to the Field Human Resources Department staff members;

– Ensures the application of Staff Regulations, Rules, Personnel Directives and Instructions, and other statements of policy governing the duties, obligations, privileges, benefits and entitlements of Agency staff; provides guidance and assistance to the Office of the Field Director and Field Departments on related matters and acts as principal point of liaison between the Director and the Area Staff Unions; provides advice and/or mediates in work-related conflict situations;

– In coordination with departments, programmes and other units plans, develops and implements recruitment strategies for the efficient and timely hiring and placement of staff including management of applicable on-line recruitment system, preparation and circulation of vacancy announcements, development of assessment tools, evaluation of applications, conducting area staff recruitment campaigns; provides guidance to hiring managers on job reviews and development of post descriptions; arranges for/or chairs Area staff and non regular staff Interview Panels and makes consequent decisions or recommendations to the Field Office Director or his /her assigned deputy; prepares job offers for successful candidates; reviews and recommends level of remuneration for consultants; coordinates the placement of interns and volunteers, and administers related issues; manages and improves the use of area staff rosters utilized in the field; designs, coordinates and provides relevant statistical information and data on field recruitment activities, effectiveness of media, gender analysis etc., collaborates with gender experts and provides information to interested groups regarding employment opportunities;

– Reviews and provides advice on interpretation of policies, regulations and rules; administers and provides advice on salary and related benefits, travel, and entitlements in accordance with the set staff rules; determines and recommends benefits and entitlements for staff on the basis of contractual status; supports salary and entitlement surveys; informs and explains to staff in respect of rights, responsibilities, code of conduct, sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), harassment/prohibited conduct policies and difficulties associated with work and entitlements;

– Is responsible for the assessment, implementation and evaluation of the Field’s Performance Management System; assists and advises the Field Director and his/her assigned Deputy and Heads of Departments, Programmes and other units in determining appropriate staff development plans; maintains confidential central records of the Field Human Resources processes including grievances and complaints and coordinates their resolution, and where appropriate liaises with Field Legal Officer/consultant to resolve cases and prepare responses to requests for Decision Reviews; ensures transparent, fair and consistent application of disciplinary measures, and reviews and provides advice on policies that would prevent recurring conflicting situations;

– Provides advice to the Field Director and/or his/her assigned deputy regarding HR planning; participates in the preparation and development of a yearly HR plan and oversees its implementation; evaluates the outcomes of the plan and takes necessary actions, as required. Oversees the preparation and delivery of training and development programmes and of staff mobility programmes to build the capacity of the field staff; evaluates effectiveness and impact of staff development and career support programmes and recommends ways to enhance effectiveness and impact;

Competencies

UN Core Values of Professionalism, Integrity and Respect for Diversity and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply.

– Demonstrated in-depth technical knowledge of all aspects of human resources management with proven analytical skills; commitment to implementing the goals of gender equality as set out by the Agency.

– Ability to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies and capability to monitor and adjust plans and actions as necessary.

– Ability to reach objective and reasoned positions and to articulate these clearly.

– Proven ability in working independently in addition to leading and working as part of a team, managing their output; and providing advice, coaching and mentoring as required.

– Established skills in building productive internal and external work relationships at all levels.

– Ability to negotiate persuasively a range of problems, to take and defend collaborative decisions that include sensitive, complex and contentious issues and to advise managers and staff on different options to meet client needs.

– High level of motivation, initiative and creative thinking; good judgment.

– Ability to work to tight deadlines on multiple tasks, often under pressure.

– High degree of tact, diplomacy and discretion.

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education

Advanced university degree in human resources management, business administration, social sciences or related discipline.

Work Experience

Eight years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management including staff administration, recruitment, training and development is required.

At least three years of experience as head of an HR Division or team leader in an HR department, in a large governmental, international or commercial organization, including experience in developing countries is required.

Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required.

Advanced computer literacy and knowledge of HR database is desirable.

Membership, or eligibility for membership, of a registered HRD professional body is desirable

Working knowledge of Arabic and/or any other UN language is desirable.

Knowledge of UN Rules and Regulations is desirable.

Knowledge of Middle Eastern cultures and employment practices is desirable.

Possession of a driving license, valid for at least two years and recognized by local law is desirable.

Advanced university degree in human resources management, business
administration, social sciences or related discipline is required

Languages

Excellent command of spoken and written English is required.
Working knowledge of Arabic and/or any other UN language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension.

The Head Field Human Resources Office will be required to reside in the field of assignment and to travel in the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East, as and when required.

Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in Inspira in order to be considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered.

A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for an appointment to the same post or a similar post.

Equivalency:
A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.

UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025.

UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live.

For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/

United Nations Considerations

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her.

UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups.

At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

UNRWA Considerations
UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List.
UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.