Org. Setting and Reporting
UNRWA 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 Area Project Officer is responsible for managing and coordinating all are based activities related to the ERL Project, including effective identification of beneficiaries, training and release of grants for the beneficiaries, and supervision and coordination of the team.
The incumbent is reporting to the Chief Area Office and supervises ERL Project staff in the areas (2-3 staff)- Business Development Officer, Relief Workers, TVET instructor and vocational trainers. The incumbent is required to travel within the area in the course of performing his/ her duties
Responsibilities
The Area Project Officer coordinates the timely implementation of area-level project activities and supervises the project team. The incumbent maintains regular internal contacts with the Recovery Programme, Area Office, RSSP/Social Services, TVET, Microfinance, Community Centres, Finance, M&E and other relevant departments, and external contacts with beneficiaries and community representatives. The incumbent also supports the functioning of the relevant area/camp-level, selection and scoring committees by ensuring that complete, verified and properly documented beneficiary files are submitted for review and that committee decisions are followed up. Accordance with established policies and procedures, the incumbent will:
1- Coordinates the day-to-day implementation of the project activities and the project team.
2- Works with the project team to identify eligible beneficiaries (small businesses) in accordance with the agreed targeting criteria and ensure dissemination of project information to all relevant stakeholders, including vulnerable and marginalized groups.
3- Directly supervises the Business Development Officers assigned to the area, allocate their caseloads, review their workplans and ensure the quality and timeliness of application screening, business assessments, field verification, business planning, mentoring and post-support monitoring.
4- Coordinates with the committee at camp level to manage the complains and grievance system, and after reviews, finalise the beneficiary list.
5- Coordinates with the area/camp-level committee to support outreach, beneficiary identification, community feedback, complaints and grievance management and, following review, finalise the beneficiary list for submission to the relevant approval process.
6- Supports the relevant Selection Committee and Scoring Committee by ensuring that complete case files, verification records, business assessments, scoring sheets and supporting documentation are available for review.
7- Supports the Business Development Officer in organizing training workshops for the identified beneficiaries and assist in coordinate the logistics of the events, ensuring timely delivery of training.
8- Supervises and coordinate the ERL project team at the area level including Business Development officer, relief worker, TVET instructor and vocational trainers.
9- Coordinates development of work plans for the team and organize regular progress review meetings.
10- Finalizes list of beneficiaries, based on successful completion of training and approved development of business development plans.
11- Ensures development of individual beneficiary mentoring plans and implementation of the same, with support of the Business Development officer, relief worker, and trainers at TVET centers and Multipurpose Community Centers (MCCs).
12- Maintains close link with the camp project committee, through regular information sharing and providing them with updates.
13- Coordinates with the project team at the field office and ensure beneficiaries are provided with grants instalments, after signing of the MoUs.
14- Coordinates business mentoring visits to the beneficiaries by the project team and ensure that observations, milestone achievements and recommendations are documented.
15- Reviews progress against approved business plans, agreed milestones and submit recommendations and follow up actions or subsequent grant instalments, as applicable.
16- Ensures complaints appeals, risk, duplication concerns, safeguarding issues and potential misuse of assistance are properly documented and referred through the established process.
17- Prepares monthly project progress reports for the area including achievements, beneficiaries figures, committee decisions, implementation challenges, risks and required follow up.
18- Coordinates data collection, monitoring activities and required reporting in collaboration with M&E staff.
19- Ensures that project implementation is inclusive and accessible and that gender, disability, protection and safeguarding considerations are integrated throughout project activities.
20- Performs other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.
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. default managerial competencies may apply.
Education
University degree from an accredited institution in Business Administration, Development Studies, Economics, Project Management, livelihood, Microfinance or other related fields.
Work Experience
Indicate your current involvement in any outside activities, as it is required. Including 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. At least five years of relevant experience in project management, livelihoods, microfinance, TVET and similar activities at community level, including at least 2 years’ experience in staff supervision, in development/ humanitarian programmes in governmental, non-governmental organizations is required.
Languages
English 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).
Required Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
English | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II
Arabic | UN Level I | UN Level I | UN Level I | UN Level I
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by interview.
Special Notice
Contract Type: Limited Duration Contract for 6 months renewable appointment subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and continuing need.
Monthly basic salary: 896.20 US$. The salary may be subject to a reduced work schedule. Additional benefits:
Dependency allowances (if applicable).
30 days of Annual leave pro-rated to the duration of the contract where less than one year.
2.5 days of sick leave for each completed month of service.
Maternity Leave, upon meeting eligibility requirements.
2 weeks paternity leave. upon meeting eligibility requirements
The Agency will not assume responsibility or accountability to support or facilitate the issuance of work permit in Syria, and without a valid work permit, the appointment may be rescinded. Preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and candidates of the underrepresented gender to assist the Agency to meet its commitment to gender parity.
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 in the future should suitable vacancies become available.
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 PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. All acquired university degrees must also be stated, if applicable.
Providing incorrect or misleading information on an application will result in the immediate disqualification of a candidate.
UNRWA has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNRWA, including sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, racism/racial discrimination and other forms of conduct, including but not limited to discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all recommended candidates and those placed on a roster to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired.
All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s), employment history, ClearCheck and INTERPOL, as well as certification of non-conviction, where available. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. By applying for a position with UNRWA, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
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 whilst misconduct processes were 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 whilst an investigation and/or disciplinary process for misconduct is underway; and such persons may be prohibited from employment with the United Nations.
Please find below the link to a video that guides applicants on how to apply to Job Openings: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MH-IYA6Y8kxA1fgao5qyTV8VwNajgx4u/view?usp=sharing
Advertisements published only in English will only accept applications in English, and Arabic submissions will not be considered.
The Agency will immediately disqualify applicants who are ineligible for any reason in accordance with the Agency regulatory framework.
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 Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2): (1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and (2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions.
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.