Senior Humanitarian Response Officer

Org. Setting And Reporting
The Senior Humanitarian Response Officer reports to the Deputy Director of UNRWA
Affairs (Programmes) in Syria
Responsibilities
Manages and supervises the Emergency Operations Support Team (EOST) at SFO Damascus,
ensuring timely provision of operational support to the Syria Field Office’s Emergency
Response Team (ERT) and coordinated provision of timely and adequate (programmatic,
logistics, etc.) support to Area Emergency Response Teams (AERTs); oversees the
performance of the EOST to ensure that it performs its functions rapidly, efficiently and with
high impact for humanitarian assistance to Palestine refugees;
Facilitates the use of Project Cycle Management (PCM) approach within all humanitarian
response projects, with a focus on needs-based planning, monitoring, reporting and
evaluation, and integrated programming in accordance with international best practice;
In coordination with the relevant Field and Headquarters departments, leads periodic revision
of Syria Field’s humanitarian response plans and related project proposals; consolidates
submissions (verifying costs, viability and adherence to best practice and technical
instructions); coordinates with HQ and other Field Offices for harmonization and final
submission of UNRWA’s Syria Humanitarian Response Plan; ensures that the plan conforms
to the Agency’s common framework of standards;
In coordination with concerned Syria Field and Headquarters Departments, consolidates and
supervises the implementation of the humanitarian response budget, including through
allocation and monitoring of funds (commitments, expenditures and allotments);
Monitors the implementation of the humanitarian response projects to verify adherence to
donor stipulations, grant agreement guidelines and deadlines; alerts Programmes when
corrective action is necessary and assists in implementing such action;
Acts as the SFO focal point for coordination with external interlocutors and HQ External
Relations and Communications Department on humanitarian response activities;
Ensures development and regular update of communication plans.
Competencies
UN Core Values of Professionalism, Integrity and Respect for Diversity and Core
Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by
default. Default managerial competencies may apply.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic
  environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Ability to plan and prioritize own work, work well under tight deadlines and handle multiple
  concurrent activities;
• Demonstrated skills in working with others and ability to handle sensitive issues;
• Ability to operate standard computer software used by the Agency including spreadsheets
  and databases;
• Positive attitude and strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills;
• Familiarity with project cycle management and Logical Framework Analysis;
• Understanding of budgetary requirements and planning;
• Ability to develop clear goals and identify priority activities and assignments.
  For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.
  org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI
  Education
  Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational
  institution in Programme management, economics, business administration or any other
  related discipline.
  Work Experience
  A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in programme
  or project management or coordination
  Four years of relevant experience in a large governmental, international or commercial
  organization
  A minimum of two continuous years of relevant international 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
  Experience in emergency planning and response and/or humanitarian operations.
  Extensive working experience in a post conflict and transitional context.
  Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) training and/or experience (desirable)
  Working knowledge of Arabic language (desirable)
  Working knowledge and experience of the Agency’s operations in the Middle East, and
  knowledge of Middle Eastern culture (desirable)
  Knowledge of UN Rules and Regulations; familiarity of work within the United Nations
  system with demonstrated knowledge of its values and principles (desirable)
  Experienced working in a complex emergency setting (desirable)
  Languages
  Excellent command of written and spoken English.
  Working knowledge of Arabic language 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: 1 year, renewable. Appointment subject to funding
  availability.
• The incumbent may be required to travel to UNRWA area of operations.
• 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 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.