UNICEF is the leading United Nations agency on child rights (www.unicef.org) and works in 190 countries around the world. UNICEF’s Global Strategy focuses on supporting child survival and development, basic education, child protection and policy advocacy, and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene). In countries affected by crises, UNICEF leads humanitarian efforts to help children and women living in challenging circumstances and provides support to help them to survive and to maximise their development potential.
Jordan hosts the world’s largest Palestinian refugee population, with over 2.4 million people registered with UNRWA, including around 24 per cent children. While many Palestinians live under similar conditions as other Jordanians, those in camps face higher poverty rates, with nearly 31 per cent living in poverty. Most Palestinian refugees in Jordan hold Jordanian nationality, except for approximately 180,000 ‘ex-Gazan’ refugees and over 20,000 Palestine refugees from Syria (PRS), who face higher unemployment and socio-economic challenges due to legal restrictions on employment. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, creating barriers to employment and contributing to material deprivation. Violence and insecurity are prevalent in the camps, with concerns about child marriage, bullying, and the stigma surrounding disabilities. The prevalence of stunting among Palestinian children under the age of 5 is also a challenge, standing at 23.8 per cent. Additionally, a quarter of Palestinian refugee camp households lack access to safe water, posing significant health risks.
UNICEF addresses these challenges and needs through its Palestinians Living in Jordan (PLJ) programme. The overall goal of the PLJ programme is to transform the lives of Palestinian children by progressively fulfilling their basic rights to survival, care, child and social protection, and participation, their right to reach their full potential, and their right to live in protective, equitable and inclusive societies. Under the PLJ programme, UNICEF supports comprehensive health care for Palestinian children and families, particularly adolescent girls, and advocates for early identification and referral of children with disabilities. In collaboration with UN agencies, government partners, and other stakeholders, UNICEF also prioritizes quality and inclusive education for vulnerable children and empowers Palestinian adolescents through participation, volunteerism, and enhancing livelihood opportunities focused on social innovation and entrepreneurship. Additionally, UNICEF works to enhance the capacity of case workers and social workers to address domestic and gender-based violence. UNICEF also provides access to safe drinking water and sanitation and works to improve WASH services in all Palestinian camps. Through its social protection and policy interventions, UNICEF provides integrated services to Palestinian children and youth under the Makani programme, acting as a cash-plus programme to the Jordanian safety net and the UNICEF-supported child cash programme.
Under the supervision of the Deputy Representative-Programme, the PLJ Programme Officer is expected to fulfil the following responsibilities:
Key functions and accountabilities:
Key duties and tasks:
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) |
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion. |
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. |
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). |
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. |
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. |
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. |
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. |
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
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