Job: Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff (Consultant)

Location: Jerusalem
Description

Organization: UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

Country: occupied Palestinian territory

Closing date: 07 Aug 2013

TERMS OF REFERENCE

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA's services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.

Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff (Consultant), Jerusalem

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Chief of Staff of the UNRWA Executive Office, the Special Assistant is responsible for providing support and assistance to the Chief of Staff in the day-to-day performance of his/her management, supervision and leadership functions, and as needed to other senior officials in the Executive Office, in accordance with UNRWA policy and procedures.

• Provide direct support, both substantive and administrative, to the Chief of Staff on the full range of matters under his/her purview, and relevant to the smooth functioning and management of the Executive Office of the largest UN organization operating in the Middle East. This includes policy, operational, political, financial, and programmatic matters, often of an urgent nature and requiring simultaneous actions in coordination with multiple counterparts. Prepare inputs to, and as needed draft for the Chief of Staff correspondence (with high ranking state officials and senior staff of UN and other international bodies), policy memoranda, management guidance, and other sensitive communications. Undertake the same for other senior officials in the Executive Office as needed;
• Ensure optimal preparation for and follow up on the programme of work of the Chief of Staff, including internal senior management meetings and consultations, with special attention to action and monitoring of follow up. Liaise closely with all HQ Departments as relevant, including on the implementation of decisions and on other matters referred by the Chief of Staff or Commissioner-General to departments and offices at headquarters and the fields, and contribute to the optimal flow of information to, from and within the Executive Office and the rest of the Agency. Provide advice and assistance on organizational and managerial effectiveness and efficiency;
• Ensure optimal preparation for and follow up on the interaction of the Chief of Staff with external stakeholders including host and donor governments, assist the Chief of Staff in ensuring coordinated interaction with external stakeholders by the Agency's HQ and Field Offices;
• Undertake writing (including minutes, notes for the record, presentations, and talking points) on a wide range of strategic, programmatic and operational issues of concern to the Executive Office;
• Represent the Chief of Staff in internal Agency meetings in his/her absence and absence of the Deputy Chief of Staff. Act as secretary for specific meetings.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• A university degree in political science, social sciences, law or related subject;
• A minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience, including a minimum of two years of international experience, in particular with international organizations;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English;
• Significant knowledge of contemporary issues of the Middle East (including politics, development and international assistance, international law), especially in the countries hosting Palestine refugees.

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Ability to independently plan and prioritize own work while providing direct support to a senior UN official in a fast-paced workplace, work well under tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent activities;
• Positive attitude and strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills;
• Proven excellence in drafting, particularly in analytical writing, report writing, and written communication on policy, operational and organizational development matters;
• High levels of political and organizational awareness;
• Proven ability to exercise the initiative and resourcefulness necessary for prioritizing multiple priorities and tasks.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of UN Rules and Directives, or other similar framework, and of the sources from which they are compiled;
• Familiarity with Arabic;
• Familiarity with resource mobilization, UN budgeting and finance, programmatic and operational analysis and planning, communications.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The incumbent will be based in Jerusalem and periodically will be required to travel in UNRWA's areas of operation.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

• The duration of this assignment is for 12 months; renewal is subject to performance, and availability of funding.
• Remuneration for this consultancy will be at P-3, step 1, based on the current UNRWA salary scale.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested applicants are requested to submit a résumé and cover letter (maximum one and a half page) explaining how she/he meets the above-listed requirements via consultancy@unrwa.org clearly indicating the title of this consultancy 'Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff' in the subject line of the message. The deadline for the submission of applications is 07 August 2013 (late applications will not be considered).

UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from both qualified and experienced women and men. UNRWA encourages applications from female candidates. Only those applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

How to apply:

Interested applicants are requested to submit a résumé and cover letter (maximum one and a half page) explaining how she/he meets the above-listed requirements via consultancy@unrwa.org clearly indicating the title of this consultancy 'Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff' in the subject line of the message. The deadline for the submission of applications is 07 August 2013 (late applications will not be considered).

UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from both qualified and experienced women and men. UNRWA encourages applications from female candidates. Only those applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

More Info and Application