Org. Setting and ReportingUNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA's services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. 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 Chief, Architecture & Design Division reports to Director, Infrastructure and Camp Improvement, D1. The incumbent supervises a range of professional, general services and other contract modalities staff, as may be assigned. Responsibilities- Leads the formulation of comprehensive Architecture and design policies encompassing a wide spectrum of disciplines including safety, accessibility, materials, cost efficiency and durability, ensuring alignment with UNRWA’s construction, infrastructure and sustainability strategies, and humanitarian principles, to ensure that all UNRWA's facilities are housed in buildings that fit for the purpose, efficient, safe, healthy and environmentally sound. - Oversees the Agency’s Architectural and design works both at HQs and Fields, including those produced by consultants, ensuring that they meet standards, comply with the Agency's established procedures, protocol and practice; validates the adequacy of design procedures and components of buildings in terms of quality and performance and identifies areas in need of improvement or modifications; provides technical guidance and develops interventions to resolve irregularities and enhance designs and architecture works, and follows up their implementation with the relevant stakeholders. - Leads, plans and coordinates architectural design activities across the Agency, ensuring that all design initiatives are strategically aligned with UNRWA’s operational objectives and user requirements, including the development and implementation of design standards and technical criteria that promote functionality, safety, inclusivity and environmental sustainability; develops and supervises preparation of checklists for design process, preliminary approval and checking of architectural tender drawings. - Establishes and regularly updates agency-wide design standards planning criteria, protocol and technical specifications in coordination with user departments and the design team, to ensure clarity, consistency and effective implementation; develops, and tailor, modular design solutions and detailed architectural specifications that enhance consistency, adaptability and operational efficiency across all UNRWA facilities to meet diverse programmatic needs while ensuring cost-effectiveness and ease of replication. - Develops and enforces rigorous quality assurance and quality control measures tailored to architectural and design processes; defines and monitors performance indicators related to design functionality, safety, gender inclusivity, accessibility, and environmental impact; leads post-occupancy evaluations to assess user satisfaction and facility effectiveness following Infrastructure and Camp Improvement Programme (ICIP) interventions. - Maintains up-to-date knowledge of architectural and design disciplines, materials, and regulatory frameworks; engages with international bodies concerned with building codes, fire safety, accessibility, greening, sustainability, design and architectural materials; may represent UNRWA in relevant global forums to ensure the Agency remains informed of best practices, innovations, and emerging standards in architectural design. - Develops and drives a learning scheme to build advanced knowledge and competencies essential for the architecture and design and their application, Agency-wide; fosters deep awareness of the diverse architectural disciplines, materials in current use, and those proposed ones and their critical impact on safety, health and environment; plans and manages the implementation of staff training sessions and conducts training in his/her area of expertise, including relevant specialized software tools. CompetenciesUN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. i. Relating and Networking ii. Leading and Supervising iv. Planning and Organizing v. Applying Technical Expertise Leadership i. Managing Complexity and Change ii. Creating and Maintaining Impact and Partnership Other Competencies not listed under Functional and Leadership i. Proven ability to exercise the initiative and resourcefulness necessary for prioritising multiple clusters / components in projects. ii. Creativity and objectivity to perform studies and technical activities to arrive at the most cost-effective and reliable technical solutions. vi. Demonstrate advanced technical knowledge of the civil-structural discipline with the ability to conceive, develop and implement engineering and design solutions EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in architectural engineering or a relevant discipline from a recognised university. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceAt least ten years of progressive relevant experience in the architecture and design works, with sound knowledge of drafting policies, standards, regulatory frameworks and providing guidance, support and training for diverse team in multi-geographical areas, in a computer-based environment, in UN, NGOs, governmental or a large commercial organisation, of which at least five years should be in a supervisory capacity is required Advanced computer skills and working knowledge in the relevant IT applications such as AutoCAD, Microsoft Project and MS-Office applications is desirable. Knowledge of learning and staff development techniques with experience in conducting training sessions is desirable. Experience in low-cost construction throughout the humanitarian programme cycle is desirable. Understanding of construction, project management, contract administration, and construction management is desirable. Knowledge in development, planning and architectural aspects in the Middle East is desirable. Familiarity with international and local building codes and practice is desirable. Candidates are required to make a declaration as to whether they have any current or past affiliations with non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, political organizations, military, or have/are engaged in activities or have made any public statements, that could be seen to impact their neutrality, objectivity or independence in the performance of their duties for the UN / UNRWA. Any declaration will not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration for this post. Are you a registered Palestine refugee? If yes, please provide your Ration Card Number. It is highly recommended to respond to this question in order to assist us in further assessing your application. Please explain below? Is required. Do you have close relative(s) in UNRWA (mother, father, daughter, son, sister brother)? If yes, please provide full name(s) and relationship. It is highly recommended to respond to this question in order to assist us in further assessing your application. Please explain below. Is required LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and Arabic are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).