Gender Specialist (this process will also be used to build a roster)

Org. Setting and Reporting

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 Gender Specialist reports to the Head Gender Section

Responsibilities

Systematically develops the capacity of UNRWA frontline staff in preventing, mitigating, and responding to gender-based violence (GBV), by developing training plans, preparing guidance and training materials, and facilitating training sessions. Ensures the timely, effective, and quality implementation of gender focused project activities, in close coordination with relevant UNRWA Departments and five field offices. Supports the development, planning, implementation and monitoring of gender related projects and activities. Provides technical guidance on GBV case management and safe internal and external referrals, including supporting the roll-out of relevant technical instructions. Leads on the strengthening of referral pathways for GBV in all UNRWA field offices in line with the Inter-Agency Minimum Standards for GBV in Emergencies Programming. Provides support for community engagement and consultation efforts on gender issues at the field level, including identifying effective strategies to engage adult and youth males. Contributes to establishing, and participates in, existing UNRWA coordination mechanisms on protection and gender. Additionally, assists relevant UNRWA Departments in strengthening engagement with inter-agency coordination mechanisms. Supports the planning and implementation of awareness-raising activities and communications to sensitize UNRWA staff on gender topics, with greater focus on GBV. Collaborates in the development of the project’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) strategy, and ensures its implementation by overseeing program activities and delivering timely progress reports. Records gender- related information and trends from internal and external sources. Supports the strengthening of data collection, analysis, and reporting on gender- related matters. where relevant, provides inputs on the drafting of communication and advocacy materials.

Competencies

UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply. – Learning and Researching – Analyzing – Planning and Organizing – Persuading and Influencing – Relating and Networking 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 degree or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in social sciences, law, human rights, political science, project management or related field

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least five years of relevant experience in humanitarian protection programs with a focus on gender and GBV is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, 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 is required. Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in social sciences, law, human rights, political science, project management or related field is required.

Languages

Excellent command of spoken and written English is required.

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: One year project funded post with start date 1 January 2025, with the possibility of further extension subject to availability of funds, need and performance. This recruitment exercise will also be used to build a roster for future needs. 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 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 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

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.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA) DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR REQUEST MONEY FROM CANDIDATES AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING, ONBOARDING). UNRWA DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.