Senior Emergency Coordinator - UNRWA - Amman, Jordan

Vacancy Announcement Number: 12-FO-JO-69

Grade: P-4 / P-5

Deadline for Applications: 31 December 2012

Duty Station: Amman

 Under direct supervision of the Director of UNRWA Operations, Jordan, the Senior Emergency Coordinator is responsible for providing leadership to the emergency programme in support of the Palestine refugees that have been affected by the crisis in Syria and consequently fled the country to take refuge in Jordan. This leadership position will liaise with key stakeholders in Jordan including senior government officials, heads of peer agencies and donors to improve the protection context for Palestine refugees from Syria.  Additionally, this position will provide coordination and oversight on operational interventions of the Jordan Field Office (JFO) in support of the Palestine refugees seeking the Agency’s assistance and services. S/he leads and supervises the Syrian Response Team in JFO on all operational and strategic activities. In accordance with the established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent will:


Primary Duties and Responsibilities

·        Provide strategic leadership of JFO’s emergency programme in support of the Palestine refugees from Syria, with a particular focus on planning and coordination, and supervise other team members responsible for daily operations; provide leadership to the Field emergency response team and other colleagues directly or indirectly involved, through collaboration and coordination of activities and information; provide strategic guidance and coordination on key components of JFO’s emergency work with a particular focus on protection issues;

·        Represent JFO on issues related to Palestine refugees from Syria with relevant Headquarter Agency stakeholders, including the Commissioner-General’s office, for coordination of JFO activities. Coordinate all funding proposals for JFO’s emergency response efforts with relevant internal UNRWA units (identification, formulation and submission of funding proposals), including strategic  guidance on fundraising activities in support of the emergency programme such as donor meetings and visits, public information campaigns, media and press releases;

·        Lead interactions and coordination of UNRWA activities with multiple levels of relevant UN agencies responding to the needs of refugees from Syria, primarily UNHCR, UNICEF, UNFPA, WFP and WHO, as well as other organizations including ICRC, IOM and international and local NGOs participating in the emergency response efforts;

·        Maintain independent links and close dialogue with key donors, potential donors and other funding stakeholders on resource mobilization needs, shaping of donor strategies to achieve optimal outcomes for Palestine refugees from Syria, and lead quiet diplomacy efforts related to protection concerns;

·        Ensure the timeliness and quality of progress reports to donors and initiate other donor correspondence on existing funding of emergency response efforts of JFO activities related to serving the needs of this vulnerable population;

·        Provide analysis and shape presentation of data/information on the Palestine refugees affected by the Syrian crisis to diverse public audiences;

·        Facilitate and provide strategic input to mainstreaming emergency preparedness within JFO and coordinate with Agency priorities in this effort.


Professional Knowledge and Experience

·        Advanced university degree in social or behavioral science, human rights, law, international relations, political science, development studies, public or business administration, crisis management or other related field;

·        For P-4 level: A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience related to emergency response, refugee affairs, protection, international migration, humanitarian assistance and/or development programming, four of which should have been in a large governmental, international or commercial organization relevant to the post;

·        For P-5 level: A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience related to emergency response, refugee affairs, protection, international migration, humanitarian assistance and/or development programming, five of which should have been in a large governmental, international or commercial organization relevant to the post;

·        Excellent command of written and spoken English.


Competencies

·        Proven track record in addressing politically sensitive and complex issues that demonstrate highly refined skills;

·        Ability to coordinate, monitor and control administrative and logistical services and to plan and prioritize work under tight deadlines;

·        Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy and tact to effectively communicate with senior level officials, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds;

·        Good judgment and decision-making skills;

·        Demonstrated skills in working with others and ability to handle sensitive issues and information;

·        Ability to operate standard computer software used by the Agency including spreadsheets and databases;

·        Ability to develop clear goals and identify priority activities and assignments;

·        Proven ability to exercise initiative;

·        Knowledge of UN Rules and Regulations; familiarity of work within the United Nations system with demonstrated knowledge of its values and principles;

·        Demonstrated background in advocacy around sensitive issues.



Equivalency

When the minimum requirements are not fully met, the Director of Human Resources may exceptionally substitute part of the unmet requirements with a combination of relevant academic qualification, additional professional training and progressive relevant work experience. NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.



Desirable Qualifications

·        Working knowledge of Arabic;

·        Extensive experience and leadership in resource mobilization within institutional donors;

·        Working knowledge and experience in the Middle East and familiarity with Jordan.



Additional Information

The incumbent may be requested to travel occasionally in the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East.



Conditions of Service  

UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at:  for P-4 level $72,467 net tax free with dependents or $67,483 single for P-5 level $86,904 net tax free with dependants or $80,734 single, plus post adjustment of 44.1% (subject to change without notice). Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include education grant, dependency allowance, home leave, pension fund, health insurance and 6 weeks of annual leave. All UNRWA duty stations (with the exception of Gaza and Syria) are family duty stations. Initial contract is for one year, with the possibility of further extensions subject to the availability of funds and the continuing need for the post.



How to Apply

To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Please note that UNRWA only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.org will be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted.


UNRWA does not charge a fee at any stage in the recruitment process.


General Information

UNRWA encourages applications from qualified and experienced women.

UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.


UNRWA is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for human rights, for diversity, and for non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNRWA staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.



Date of issue: 28 November 2012/LF