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 Special Assistant to the Director of Education reports directly to the Director of Education (DE). S/he is responsible for providing support and assistance on a range of issues directly connected to the Education Department.

Responsibilities

– Supports the DE in managing the work of the Education Department including structural and programmatic aspects of education programme delivery; drafts and coordinates the preparation of documentation on operational and policy issues and provides written and oral briefings on these issues.

– Provides substantive support to the DE in preparation for internal and external meetings on a wide range of issues, including Management Committees, Hosts and major Donors, UN Country Team and Security Management Team Meetings.

– Acts as the Secretariat for the External Education Advisory Group (EEAG); organizing meetings, virtual and in-person, keeping minutes, facilitating members engagement with UNRWA between meetings; and other duties as necessary.

– Undertakes a key role in addressing a range of educational programmatic and/or operational areas.

– Follows-up, as required, on the implementation of decisions and on other matters referred by the DE with Field Offices and other Headquarters Departments which contributes to optimal flow of information; oversees the preparation of various regular and ad-hoc reports issued by the Education Department for submission to UNRWA HQ and Fields.

– Establishes and/or maintains appropriate contacts and liaison with a variety of education stakeholders, including UN offices and other specialized agencies on a national, regional and global level; seeks and recommends strategic opportunities for engagement and for ensuring UNRWA’s representation at Global Education events.

– Maintains and monitors the flow of and ensures the timely review and approval of documents, financials, reports, etc.

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. Default managerial competencies may apply.

– Relating and Networking
– Planning and Organizing
– Analyzing
– Learning and Researching
– Coping with Pressure and Setbacks
– Excellent skills in writing including drafting of evidence-based reports, presentations, and memos as required.
– Demonstrates experience in taking initiative, working independently and as part of a
team.

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

Education

An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in education / development studies.

Work Experience

At least five years of relevant work experience in education management or development studies in education including experience working in international organizations in an education programme capacity is required.

Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a candidate for an international post must have at least 2 continuous years of international relevant experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport, or a national identity number is required.

Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in education / development studies is required.

Working knowledge and experience of the Agency’s operations in the Middle East, especially in Education, and knowledge of Middle Eastern culture is desirable.

Knowledge of contemporary problems of the Middle East is desirable.

Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Languages

– Excellent command of written and spoken English is required.
– 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: Temporary Appointment for 6 months, with the possibility of further extension, subject to availability of funds, need and performance.

The incumbent will be based in Amman and may be required to travel throughout the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East or beyond.

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 appointment to the same post or a similar post.

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

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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

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.