Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer, P-5

UNRWA - United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

Amman, Jordan

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 Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer reports to the Director of Planning.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership of Emergency Response

Leads the planning, coordination and management of UNRWA’s humanitarian responses to crises affecting Palestine refugees, ensuring timely, effective, accountable, and needs-based interventions.
Coordinates HQ emergency operations to address immediate humanitarian needs while ensuring the protection and dignity of affected populations.
Ensures alignment of emergency activities with UNRWA’s mandate, principles and international humanitarian standards.

Preparedness and Risk Management

Leads in the development and implementation of emergency preparedness plans, including risk assessments, contingency planning and standard operating procedures to address potential crises.
Ensures the establishment of early warning systems, pre-positioning of supplies, anticipatory action and capacity-building of UNRWA personnel in support of rapid, coordinated responses to crises.
Collaborates with the UNRWA Executive Office to strengthen crisis related risk management strategies to enhance UNRWA’s operational readiness and resilience.

Coordination and Organizational Strengthening

Enhances UNRWA’s engagement with the humanitarian coordination system, ensuring that the Agency is effectively represented in cluster and inter-agency coordination mechanisms at the national and regional levels. •Strengthens UNRWA’s capacity for effective engagement in humanitarian coordination through the development and provision of training, guidance and active participation in the humanitarian coordination system.

Policy, Strategy and Guidance

Develops and implements evidence-based policies, strategies and guidance to enhance UNRWA’s emergency management efforts, ensuring the Agency remains responsive to evolving challenges
Advocates for Palestine refugees in international humanitarian forums, ensuring their needs are addressed and prioritized
Collaborates with key humanitarian actors to sustain and scale up support to UNRWA’s operations in critical areas.

Capacity Building and Technical Assistance

Leads capacity-building initiatives for UNRWA personnel and partner organizations, focusing on emergency preparedness and response, ensuring that they are equipped to effectively manage emergencies.
Provides technical guidance to field staff, fostering a culture of excellence in humanitarian response.
Collaborates with UNRWA field offices, headquarters and relevant UN entities, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to integrate capacity building initiatives into regular programming.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Resource Mobilization

Coordinates between UNRWA field offices and headquarters to optimize the use of financial, human, and logistical resources.
Oversees the monitoring, including through information management systems, of humanitarian operations, facilitating accountability, transparency and continuous improvement.
Leads the development of emergency and flash appeals, ensuring timely, accurate and comprehensive monitoring and reporting of same to maintain donor confidence.
Ensures the timely submission of progress/final reports, situation reports and other relevant information to keep stakeholders well-informed of UNRWA’s humanitarian efforts.

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. Managing Complexity and Change Delivering Results Deciding and Initiating Action Planning and Organizing Adapting and Responding to Change Actively seeks opportunities to introduce innovations that enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness, while fostering a culture of creativity and adaptability.

Education

Advanced university degree (Masters’ or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in humanitarian affairs, social sciences, development studies, public administration, international relations or related fields is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness and response at the international level is required. Experience in managing emergency responses in complex operating environments (actual field settings where a mission and/or project is being implemented) is required. Experience with inter-agency coordination, including work with clusters, national authorities and international stakeholders is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. Previous work in the Middle East with knowledge of the history and the issues affecting the region is desirable. Advanced university degree (Masters’ or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in humanitarian affairs, social sciences, development studies, public administration, international relations or related fields is required. Outside activities include but not limited to employment, independent contractor/freelance consultant, board member (corporate, academic, etc), expert group, lobby, public speaking/writing (article, book, blog, social media etc), teaching, conferences, training, press statement, voluntary work, political activity, fundraising/donation for non-UNRWA entity, running for public office, role in political party or orgs., owning business, work for gov./NGO/private company/charity, UNRWA partner/vendor, full/part-time, paid or not. A “yes” answer doesn’t necessarily lead to exclusion from future work at UNRWA, yet misrepresentation in providing accurate/complete info can lead to disqualification/termination of appointment, if hired. Indicating current involvement in such activities is required.