Job: Head of Tartous Office

Location: Damascus
Deadline: Monday, 02 December 2013

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

Country: Syrian Arab RepublicClosing date: 02 Dec 2013

UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST UNRWA

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 funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. For its international team, UNRWA is seeking to employ a qualified:

Head of Tartous Office

Vacancy Announcement Number 13-FO-SA-48 Grade P-4 Deadline for Applications 2 December 2013 Duty Station Tartous, Syria

Under the supervision of the Director of UNRWA Affairs, Syria (DUA), the Head of the Tartous Office is responsible for ensuring optimum impact of UNRWA services, assistance and protection for Palestine refugees in central and northern Syria, and for the efficient coordination of UNRWA's operations in those areas. The incumbent supports UNRWA's Area Offices in Aleppo and Homs, and coordinates rapid and effective humanitarian response for Palestine refugees across central and northern Syria. The incumbent will liaise and coordinate with Field Department Heads on operational and administrative matters and represent UNRWA in contacts with Syrian authorities, UN agencies and other partners. The post is critical to the effectiveness of UNRWA's work in Syria. The incumbent is required to bring a comprehensive, mature perspective to Area level issues that encompass programme, support and humanitarian response functions. In accordance with the established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent will:

Primary Duties and Responsibilities Service Delivery:

• Ensure efficient coordination and quality outcomes of UNRWA's programmes and services in central and northern Syria, in coordination with Chiefs Area Office and senior Syria Field Office (SFO) staff, including Deputy DUAs, Programme Chiefs and Heads of Department, and in accordance with best practice policies and standards;
• In close and regular contact with Chiefs Area Office ensure coordination of operational, programmatic and administrative matters related to UNRWA's work in northern and central Syria, support planning and direction of administrative, finance, supply, distribution, transport, personnel, building maintenance and camp service functions, and monitor the welfare of UNRWA staff and the integrity of UNRWA assets and premises;
• Support Chiefs Area Office in Central and North Areas, provide advice to the area management team in close collaboration with responsible managers at SFO; Safety and Protection:
• Monitor the operational situation in northern and central Syria as it pertains to the well-being of Palestine refugees and UNRWA's interests, identify risks and issues requiring attention and design and implement rapid, effective responses in consultation with respective Chiefs Area Office and senior SFO staff as required;
• Assume overall responsibility for enforcing safety and security standards in Tartous Office to ensure its smooth functioning;
• Report regularly on developments, trends, critical incidents, and operational responses in central and northern Syria; Humanitarian Response:
• Ensure, in coordination with Area Officers North and Central, efficient management and quality outcomes of UNRWA's humanitarian response in consultation with senior SFO staff, including Deputy DUAs, Senior Humanitarian Response Officer, Programme Chiefs and Heads of Department, and in accordance with best practice policies and standards;
• In coordination with Head, Field Procurement and Logistics Office (HFPLO) and Humanitarian Response Team (HRT) in SFO, lead supply chain activities in Tartous to ensure smooth delivery of relief assistance in central and north areas;
• In coordination with Chiefs Area Office North and Central, periodically conduct comprehensive assessments of the humanitarian situation of Palestine refugees in central and northern Syria and coordinate regular reports on the humanitarian context and UNRWA's response; Communication:
• Ensure effective communication in and from UNRWA's operations in central and northern Syria, disseminate relevant information in a timely manner to SFO and within UNRWA teams in central and northern Syria; Liaison:
• In coordination with Chiefs Area Office North and Central, represent UNRWA at the area level, build relationships with authorities and entities as required, to promote the interests of Palestine refugees and UNRWA, liaise with the General Authority for Palestinian Arab Refugees (GAPAR) and Syrian authorities, refugee community representatives, UN agencies and humanitarian organizations, and represent UNRWA in UN inter-agency meetings and activities.

Professional Knowledge and Experience

• Advanced degree from an accredited educational institution, in political science, social science, public or business administration, international relations/development or similar, supplemented by studies in any support field such as procurement and logistics, finance, human resources;
• A minimum of eight years of experience in programme and operations management for international organizations including four years' experience in emergency planning and response and/or humanitarian operations. Extensive working experience in a post conflict and transitional context, including at international level outside one's home country;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English and Arabic.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations;
• Leadership: Strong managerial/leadership skills; demonstrated flexibility in leadership by performing and/or overseeing the analysis of complex human resources, financial, administrative or management policy and programme issues; proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling environment, including the ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff and design training/skills enhancement initiatives to ensure effective transfer of knowledge/skills; tact in negotiating skills; good judgment and decision-making skills; demonstrated ability to provide leadership and commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing;
• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently;
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts; joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of activities of UNRWA operations and services;
• Knowledge of Middle Eastern geo-political realities and its socio-cultural implications;
• Experience with United Nations administration/financial policies and practices;
• Working experience in the Syrian Arab Republic and/or the Middle East.

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.

Conditions of Service

UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $72,467 net tax free with dependants or $67,483 single, plus post adjustment of 41.1% (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. Syria is currently a non-family duty station. Staff members based in Syria are entitled to additional benefits, subject to eligibility, including Extended Monthly Security Evacuation Allowance, danger pay and R&R leave, currently every 4 weeks (according to the UN classification of the duty station) but subject to change without notice. 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.

The Agency reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.

Date of issue: 3 November 2013/CF

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.

More Info and Application