Job Description
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 Director, UNRWA Representative Office, Washington, DC reports to the Deputy Commissioner-General’s (Operational Support).
- Establishes high level institutional relationships with relevant US and Canadian government and non-governmental entities and agencies, maintaining and managing these relationships to enhance protection of Palestine refugees and educate on the UNRWA’s mission.
- Monitors on a daily basis relevant development in the US and Canadian political agenda, with a view to formulating and leading the implementation of an outreach and awareness-raising strategy dedicated to optimizing UNRWA’s relations with US and Canadian governmental and non-governmental agencies.
- In close consultation with the Director, Department of External Relations and Communications (D/ERCD) , supports the implementation of UNRWA’s resource mobilization and strategic communications frameworks; leads the implementation of a media and communications strategy that is dedicated to addressing the US and Canadian audience, including through disseminating information to media as well as civil society and non-governmental entities and through timely responses to queries from media and other entities; gives interviews and fulfils speaking engagements concerning Agency affairs.
- In close consultation with D/ERCD, leads the drafting, preparation and presentation of materials required for briefings to the US legislative and executive branches, entities, the media, other governmental and non-governmental agencies and the general public in a broader US setting; closely consults with the Chief-of-Staff, Director of Legal Affairs (D/LA) and Chief Protection on issues related to UN Values and humanitarian principles, including neutrality, international law, UNRWA’s mandate and the Agency’s regulatory framework.
- Represents UNRWA at public engagements in the US, except those related to the activities of UNRWA Representative Office, New York (RONY), and Canada and prepares and presents statements on the Agency’s behalf.
- In close consultation with D/ERCD, and working in tandem with the Director, UNRWA Representative Office, New York (D/RONY), builds and sustains partnerships with international organisations headquartered in the US, the private sector, national and local non-profit institutions, and high value individuals, amongst others; maintains awareness and support through special events requiring dedicated support, speaking engagements and informational outreach.
- Leads UNRWA’s Representative Office and the team in Washington, DC.
- Entrepreneurial Thinking
- Persuading and Influencing
- Coping with Pressure and Setbacks
- Deciding and Initiating Action
- Managing Complexity and Change
- Creating and Maintaining Impact and Partnership
- Political Awareness and acuteness.
- Empathy, and coaching skills.
- Thought leadership to support innovation, learning and knowledge sharing towards capacity development.
For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI
An Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in political science, public or business administration, or a related field.
Work ExperienceAt least fifteen years of experience in political or administrative affairs is required.
At least ten years of relevant experience in a large governmental or international organization is required.
At least five years of experience in a leadership or managerial capacity is required.
At least four years of experience in, or in close association with, a United Nations organization is required.
Experience in awareness’ raising and outreach with Washington, DC-based US government, non-governmental agencies or entities is required.
Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of citizenship is an asset and is desirable.
An Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in political science, public or business administration, or a related field is required.
Familiarity with political affairs in the Middle East, and Palestine refugee issue is desirable.
Proficiency in a second UN language, preferably Arabic is desirable.
Excellent command of written and spoken English is required.
Proficiency in a second UN language, preferably Arabic is desirable.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special NoticeType of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension.
The Director, UNRWA Representative Office, Washington, DC will be required to reside in Washington, DC and occasionally travel to UNRWA’s area of operations and various venues in the United States as required.
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 an appointment to the same post or a similar post.
Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025.
Equivalency:
A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.
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/
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.