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 Senior Emergency Officer reports to the Deputy Director of Planning.

Responsibilities

– In coordination with programmes, departments and fields, establishes and maintains systems, structures, processes and staff capacities to ensure optimal preparedness and readiness for crises and emergencies.

– Provides necessary support to achieve optimal coordination between organizational units and maintains a harmonized approach to crisis and emergency interventions, including working with programme and support departments to ensure emergency considerations are mainstreamed into all aspects of operational planning, monitoring, assessment and reporting.

– Coordinates the development of UNRWA emergency appeals and ad hoc flash appeals for sudden onset emergencies. Ensures regular monitoring and reporting of interventions and financial requirements.

– Gathers and consolidates analysis of emergency-related trends (including monitoring of relevant risk indicators) and their possible implications on programmes and operations.

– Acts as UNRWA representative at relevant technical level working groups, including clusters and inter-agency mechanisms.

– Supports the Director and Deputy Director of Planning in their secretariat functions of relevant internal Crisis/Emergency Task Forces.

– Works with the Departments of External Relations and Communications and Finance on resource mobilization issues, including liaison with donors, the review of funding allocations, and the identification of gaps preparation of briefing materials.

– Provides assistance to the Director of Planning in developing and maintaining up-to-date emergency operating procedures and relevant manuals.

– Liaises with the Protection Division to ensure that gender, age and disability considerations are mainstreamed in emergency appeals and other emergency response plans.

Competencies

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

Persuading and Influencing
Deciding and Initiating Action
Relating and Networking
Delivering Results
Creating and Maintaining Impact and Partnership
Creating and Innovating
Planning and Organizing

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

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in social or behavioral science, development studies, peace studies, public or business administration, or a related discipline.

Work Experience

– At least eight years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in humanitarian assistance and/or development programming, three of which should have been in a large governmental, international, or commercial organization, 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/ies of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number is required.

– Knowledge of UN Rules and Regulations is desirable.

– Knowledge of Middle Eastern cultures is desirable.

Languages

– Excellent command of written and spoken English.
– Working knowledge of Arabic, 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 Senior Emergency Officer will be required to travel in all of the Agency’s area of operations and occasionally undertake relieving assignments.

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.

UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for a temporary 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 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.