Org. Setting and Reporting
The Protection Officer reports directly to Protection and Neutrality Team Leader. He/she is
assigned to strengthening Humanitarian Principles (HP) initiative. He/she is responsible for
ensuring that all activities related to protection as identified by the UNRWA protection policy
are mainstreamed into core programmes in an effective, efficient, ethical and politically
sensitive manner, and that institutional capacity development takes place to embed protection
into service delivery at all levels of operations. In the implementation of this function, he/she
will also be responsible to ensure, as and where appropriate, that relevant other cross-cutting
issues, such as gender, disability and youth, are included in protection mainstreaming
initiatives and activities.
Responsibilities

  • Leads protection component of integrated checks of all UNRWA facilities, maintaining
    compliance to standard operating procedures, ensuring follow-up and accountability for any
    protection issues uncovered during integrated checks; ensures that the perspectives,
    capacities, needs and resources of the persons of concerns are reflected in the protection
    strategy, planning processes and operations plan addressing the specific protection needs of
    women and men, children, youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, minorities and other
    groups of concern;
  • Oversees and coordinates measures to ensure programmes' compliance with protection
    standards;
  • Identifies and coaches Programme Protection Focal Points to develop adequate knowledge,
    leadership and capacity to mainstream protection within their programmes and services;
  • Provides technical support and policy advice in respect of agreed themes and activities;
    supports the Protection Working Group through the Project Cycle Management approach to
    develop an annual work plan with clear deliverables and indicators of success;
  • Supports fundraising, formulation and implementation of field protection programme
    initiatives responding to protection needs;
  • Coordinates with internal and external actors to conduct mapping and assessment of
    protection issues and the existing protection system within the field of operation; the
    assessment of protection issues should be made in a format that can feed into field specific as
    well as agency-wide vulnerability assessments;
  • Supports the development and delivery of protection-related training and knowledge
    building including the development of a training strategy based on clearly defined standards
    and competencies;
  • Develops and maintains effective external relations, including with UNRWA partners, other
    agencies, donors, and beneficiary stakeholders related to protection, humanitarian
    coordination, and institutional capacity development on cross cutting issues, and assisting in
    establishing protection multi-sector and multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms; through
    relationships with persons of concern, authorities and network of partners stays abreast of
    political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection
    environment.
    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.Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal
    participation of women and men in all areas of work.
    Creativity:
    Actively seeks to improve programmes or services. Offers new and different options to solve
    problems or meet client needs. Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas. Takes
    calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box." Takes an interest in new
    ideas and new ways of doing things. Is not bound by current thinking or traditional
    approaches.
    Accountability:
    Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which
    one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in
    compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides
    oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for
    his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
    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.
    Building trust:
    Provides an environment in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion.
    Manages in a deliberate and predictable way. Operates with transparency; has no hidden
    agenda. Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients. Gives proper credit to
    others. Follows through on agreed upon actions. Treats sensitive or confidential information
    appropriately.
    Education
    A university degree from an accredited educational institution in public or business
    administration, social sciences international humanitarian assistance, law, international
    relations or related discipline, with a focus on international rights, international humanitarian
    law and/or refugee law.
    Job Specific Qualifications
    Work Experience
  • At least six years of progressively responsible relevant experience.
    At least two years of work experience with an international or large government organization
    in the area of refugee protection, protection mainstreaming and humanitarian project
    management;
  • 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 the design, implementation, evaluation and monitoring of protection-tailored
    projects;
  • Previous work experience in refugee settings, preferably with international organizations,
    such as UNHCR, UNRWA or ICRC, or other relevant international non-governmental
    organizations;
  • Knowledge of activities of UNRWA operations and services (desirable);
  • In-depth knowledge of Middle Eastern geo-political realities and their socio-cultural
    implications (desirable).
    Languages
  • Fluency in spoken and written English;
  • Working knowledge of Arabic (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: Temporary Appointment for 6 months, with the possibility of
    further extensions subject to availability of funds, need and performance
    Within the framework of the Inter-Agency Mobility Agreement, UNRWA will seek to engage
    staff members from other UN entities under this framework, should they be found suitable for
    this Temporary Appointment.
    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.
  • Relating and Networking
  • Planning and Organizing
  • Analyzing
  • Creating and Innovating
  • Respect for Diversity
  • Professionalism
    A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become
    eligible for a temporary appointment to the same post or a similar post.
    Gaza is a non-family duty station.
    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 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.

This vacancy is archived.

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