Special Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner-General (Operational Support) ASG

Org. Setting and ReportingUNRWA, 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 Special Assistant to reports to the Deputy Commissioner-General (Operational Support) (ASG), and manages a small number of professional and/or general services staff members. ResponsibilitiesSupports the Deputy Commissioner-General, Operational Support (DCG (OS)) in advancing the Agency’s operational, strategic, and policy priorities by ensuring optimal preparation for, and follow-up from, internal and external engagements; provides substantive advice on organizational effectiveness, interdepartmental coordination, and donor/institutional relations. Leads research and high-level drafting across a broad spectrum of issues relevant to the DCG OS’s portfolio – including speeches, talking points, presentations, briefings, mission reports, and notes for the record – ensuring strategic alignment, clarity, and impact. Drafts and coordinates high-level correspondence for the DCG (OS); ensures that all messaging is accurate, timely, and aligned with the Agency’s mandate and positioning. Monitors and follows up on the implementation of decisions and priorities set by the Commissioner-General and DCG (OS), coordinating across Headquarters departments and Field Offices; supports effective information flow, coordination, and internal accountability within the Executive Office. Manages the DCG (OS)’s calendar, internal coordination, and mission planning; organizes and prepares for high-level internal and external meetings; serves as secretary for selected meetings and coordinates input and follow-up. Maintains regular contact with a wide network of external interlocutors, including UN entities, Member States, and civil society; facilitates strategic engagement by the DCG (OS). Supports the DCG (OS) in identifying and mitigating reputational, political, or operational risks; contributes to strategic communication and crisis response efforts, in close coordination with relevant departments. Supports strategic planning, policy development, and reform initiatives led by the DCG (OS), including related interdepartmental or inter-agency coordination, consultation processes, and reporting mechanisms. CompetenciesLeadership i. Delivering Results ii. Engaging and Nurturing Functional i. Planning and Organizing ii. Analyzing iii. Persuading and Influencing iv. Coping with Pressure and Setbacks EducationAdvanced university degree (Master or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in public or business administration, social sciences, law or any other related discipline. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceAt least eight years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience, in operational or administrative affairs, including substantive engagement in one or more of the following areas: human resources management, legal affairs, financial or budgetary processes is required. Experience supporting senior leadership in large and complex organizations – such as the UN, international NGOs, or government institutions is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience should be outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. Candidates are required to make a declaration as to whether they have any current or past affiliations with non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, political organisations, 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. Direct experience working in a UN front office or similar of an ASG or above is desired. Working knowledge and experience of the Agency’s operations in the Middle East, and knowledge of Middle Eastern culture is desired. LanguagesFluency of English is required. Command of Arabic, French or other UN languages is desired. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis is a UN Regular Budget post. Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension. Advertisements published in English will only accept applications in English; other language submissions will not be considered. The incumbent will be based in Amman and will be required to travel within UNRWA’s area of operations in the Middle East as well as internationally. Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system inspira will be considered and no late applications will be accepted. The Personal History Profile (PHP) should be completed with full work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. All university degrees must also be stated, where applicable. UNRWA personnel must ensure adding their contract type and grade level. Given the large pool of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment. Providing incorrect or misleading information on an application form will result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate. 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, when the need arises. 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. Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025. The Agency disqualifies applicants whose name appears on the UN Sanctions List or a UN database of staff separated for reason of misconduct or of staff who separated while a misconduct process was pending. UNRWA shares investigation and misconduct information with other UN Agencies, and past and prospective employers about staff members who have been separated for misconduct, or who have separated while an investigation and/or disciplinary process for misconduct is underway; and those individuals may be prohibited from employment with the United Nations. 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 ConsiderationsStaff 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 FeeTHE 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.