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 Internal Communications Officer (Staff and Refugees) reports to the Director of Communications.

Responsibilities

Advises Senior Management and the Executive Office on ways/techniques to improve senior management communications with UNRWA staff and Palestine refugees and vice-versa; manages channels of communication to make this exchange possible.

Supports the Director of Communication in strengthening constructive work relationships with counterparts in the host authorities, UN agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), including sharing and disseminating good practices and innovative approaches across the Agency; advises on approaches to internal communications according to the context of each field to best reflect developing trends.

Manages the pathways for communications between senior management and UNRWA staff and the Palestine refugee communities, including on a number of Arabic-language social media platforms; in coordination with concerned departments, cultivates inclusive conversations with UNRWA staff and Palestine refugees on issues ranging from staff rights and UNRWA service delivery (in line with UNRWA policy); is responsible for appropriately communicating plans, key outputs, and achievements related to internal communications.

Collaborates closely with UNRWA spokespersons, field directors, department directors and senior staff in the External Relations and Communications Department(ERCD) on the development of strategic UNRWA messaging to staff and Palestine refugees that is informed by the unique position of this post as an intermediary between senior management, staff and beneficiaries; implements communication strategies for both internal communications and communications with refugees, reflecting agreed-upon messaging specifically targeting UNRWA staff and Palestine refugees; ensures consistency between the Agency’s overall external messaging and messaging to staff and Palestine refugees.

Supervises the design and production of UNRWA communications materials (including brochures, posters, leaflets, banners, infographics, etc.), targeting UNRWA staff and Palestine refugees for both online and offline dissemination; collaborates with Public Information Offices at the field level and the Multimedia Unit in the Communications Division
at HQs, as necessary.

Monitors a number of official Agency pages on social media platforms, compiles social media analytics, provides feedback and engages users in consultation with the Director of Communications and the Executive Office; manages a number of official UNRWA Arabic language social media pages/sites, targeting staff and Palestine refugees, respectively; administers the compilations of original and engaging social media content for target audiences; liaises with public information offices and colleagues in the communications division at HQ as necessary; liaises with concerned departments for the posting of content, including stories, videos, infographics, press releases and statements.

Supervises the organization of live and recorded “Questions and Answer” sessions for UNRWA senior management, noting that this is a main communication channel between UNRWA, staff and Palestine refugees.

Monitors and analyzes staff and refugee reactions to official UNRWA communications, especially as it relates to their interests; monitors local and regional media outlets and reports on news that affects or is related to UNRWA, UNRWA staff or Palestine refugees; provides cultural and linguistic translation from Arabic.

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.

– Deciding and Initiating Action
– Relating and Networking
– Planning and Organizing
– Innovating and Taking Risks
– Leading and Supervising
– Knowledge of relevant computer software such as Microsoft Office applications.

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

Education

Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in journalism, communications, public relations or a related discipline.

Work Experience

At least seven years of progressive and relevant experience in communications, including managing social media platforms, and knowledge of social media technologies and standards
in large national or international organization or established NGO is required.

Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in
journalism, communications, public relations or a related discipline is required.

Experience in production of documentary films/interviews is desirable.

Experience in the creation of infographics using industry-standard software (e.g. the Adobe
Suite) is desirable.

Are you currently residing in Duty station. Please specify your current location is required.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken Arabic and English

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Conditions of service:

Contract Type: Fixed Term Appointment for 3 years; including 1 year probation period, with the possibility of further extension, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and continuing need.

Grade and Salary, Grade 17 Monthly basic salary JD 1156.60 plus special occupation allowance (SOA) of 69.90% of the basic salary (SOA may change from time to time).

Other benefits: Other benefits include monthly Provident Fund contribution (15.4% of basic salary paid by the Agency), compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, and dependency allowance (if applicable).

This vacancy notice is open to internal and external candidates. Only candidates residing in Jordan, and within commuting distance of the duty station with authorization to work in the duty station at the time of application are eligible to apply. The Agency will not assume responsibility or accountability to support or facilitate the issuance of work permit in Jordan, and without a valid work permit, the appointment may be rescinded.

Preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and candidates assisting the Agency to meet its commitment to gender parity. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

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

Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA’s online e-recruitment system inspira will be considered and no late applications will be accepted. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. All acquired university degrees must also be stated, if applicable. Applicants applying to positions for Grades 12 to 20 or LDC Bands E to H must submit a cover letter/motivational statement in order to be considered. Additionally, providing incorrect or misleading information on an application will result in the immediate
disqualification of a candidate.

For UNRWA internal staff, they are required to specify and include their current UNRWA grade level. To do so applicants should select under “Category” RLG, scroll down to see all categories, then select their local grade.

Equivalency:
Equivalency may apply for this post.
NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.

Advertisements published only in English will only accept applications in English, and Arabic submissions will not be considered.

The Agency may disqualify applicants whose name appears on the UN Sanctions List or a UN database of staff separated for reason of misconduct or of staff who separated whilst misconduct processes were pending.

UNRWA shares investigation and misconduct information with other UN Agencies, and past and prospective employers, about staff members who have been separated for misconduct, or who have separated whilst an investigation and/or disciplinary process for misconduct is underway; and such persons may be prohibited from employment with the United Nations.

The Agency will immediately disqualify applicants who are ineligible for any reason in accordance with the Agency regulatory framework.

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.