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 Regional Ombudsman acts in an autonomous way, reporting administratively to the
Commissioner-General, and works under the general supervision of the United Nations
Ombudsman.
Responsibilities
- Within the framework of informal mechanisms, provides support to all UNRWA staff,
irrespective of their duty stations, by reviewing, examining and analysing conflicts or
perceived conflicts raised by UNRWA staff members; proposes alternatives for resolutions
while maintaining confidentiality.
- Builds outreach and conflict management competence for headquarters and field offices by
developing staff awareness and providing training and coaching on how to prevent and
manage conflicts effectively, fostering a respectful and harmonious workplace at UNRWA.
- Provides mediation services and assists parties in working towards the resolution of a
conflict, with the parties themselves remaining in control of the final decision or resolution.
- May initiate action on concerns identified through his or her direct observation.
- Identifies, analyzes and reports to the Commissioner-General of UNRWA on broad systemic
issues and provides feedback on policies, procedures, practices, and behaviors with a view to
enabling a respectful and harmonious workplace.
- Issues and provides regular reports on the activities of the Office of the Regional
Ombudsman to the Commissioner-General of UNRWA as well as to the United Nations
Ombudsman, having direct access to the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and other
stakeholders as deemed necessary.
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.
- Deciding and Initiating Action
- Persuading and Influencing
- Analyzing
- Delivering Results
- Demonstrating Self-Awareness
- Expertise: demonstrates ability to outline options on how to navigate the handling of a broad
range of work-related concerns; shows knowledge of third-party neutral conflict resolution
and mediation principles; demonstrates ability to identify visitors' needs, create a safe and
confidential environment, and explore possible options; is able to establish trust and maintain
productive partnerships with visitors and stakeholders, respecting the principles of neutrality
and confidentiality; is able to negotiate difficult situations taking into account the interests of
all sides; shows respect and empathy for individuals; 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for
incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in
all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender
balance in staffing.
- Client Orientation: considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and
seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive
partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and
matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the
clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of
progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
- Judgement/decision making: identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to
the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision;
considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions
with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or
makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against
facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the
decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
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 public administration, dispute resolution, human resources management, human
relations, law, management, organizational development, counseling or other related area.
Job Specific Qualifications
Work Experience
At least ten years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience, with
proven track-record in dispute resolution, human resources management, law, or related field
is required.
At least five years of relevant work experience at the international level with the UN, private
sector, governmental or international organizations is required.
Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a
candidate for an international post must have at least 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.
Experience with informal dispute resolution in the workplace is desirable.
Experience working in the support of a field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping operations,
special political missions, agencies, funds and programmes), or other similar international
organizations is desirable.
Languages
- Excellent command of written and spoken English.
- Knowledge of Arabic and other UN official languages.
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: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension.
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 a temporary appointment to the same post or a similar post.
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/
This vacancy is archived.