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 Associate Administrative Officer responsible to the designated supervisor.
Responsibilities
Coordinates required actions, processes and steps in support of the unit’s human resources, administrative management, including, staff management, personnel records, employment details and attendance records,; processing requests for employment and payment of daily paid staff; coordinates with Human Resources Office/Department on recruitment processes, including drafting job descriptions, initiating vacancy announcements, and coordinating interviews; ensures compliance with human resource policies and procedure; facilitates onboarding and separation processes for staff members.
Manges office operational budget and assigned project budget estimates; monitors expenditure and controls financial transactions in accordance with budgetary allocations; handles cash payments, maintains accurate records, and replenish funds as necessary; prepares financial reports and liaises with finance staff to ensure accuracy and completeness of financial records; prepares for and drafts responses to audit requests.
Manages procurement activities, including tendering, quotations, and purchasing orders; maintains inventory records and ensures the provision of necessary supplies; serves as custodian for all IT equipment and furniture; coordinates maintenance and repairs; oversees logistical operations to ensure efficient functioning of the department; coordinates with property officer for survey and disposal of obsolete assets; as applicable, conducts regular inspections of the physical facilities, buildings, and storage areas across various offices/facilities, ensuring compliance with safety standards, identifying maintenance needs, and recommending corrective actions as necessary.
Compiles and analyzes statistical data related to departmental activities; initiates and responds to administrative correspondence; prepares regular and periodic operational reports; organizes meetings, workshops, and other events as required.
Manages and oversees a team of administrative and general services assistants, providing guidance, assigning tasks, and ensuring efficient completion of office/departmental responsibilities; Responsibilities include team leadership, task management, training and development, quality assurance, workflow optimization, communication and coordination, problem-solving, and performance management.
As applicable, establishes guarding schedules and oversees their implementation to secure the safety of the Agency’s premises.
Competencies
UN Core Values of lntegrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply. Functional i. Planning and Organizing ii. Applying Technical Expertise iii. Coping with Pressure and Setbacks iv. Leading and Supervising v. Persuading and Influencing
Education
A first university degree from an accredited educational institution in business administration, finance, procurement or related field.
Work Experience
At least three years of experience in administrative work, human resources and / or office management is required. 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. Are you currently residing in Duty station. Please specify your current location. It is required. Please explain how you meet this criterion using examples. Knowledge of agency financial and HR rules and regulations is desirable. 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 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 is required. It is highly recommended to respond to this question in order to assist us in further assessing your application. Please explain below.
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 III | UN Level III | UN Level III | UN Level III
Arabic | UN Level III | UN Level III | UN Level III | UN Level III
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Grade and Salary: Grade 13 Monthly basic salary JD 843.50. Other benefits: Other benefits include a monthly Provident Fund contribution (15.4% of basic salary paid by the Agency), compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, and dependency allowance (if applicable). Additional benefits: - 2 days of sick leave for each completed month of service. - 14 weeks of Maternity Leave. - 2 weeks paternity leave.
The incumbent may be required to work outside normal duty hours and on call basis. Preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and candidates assisting the Agency to meet its commitment to gender parity. 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.
Providing incorrect or misleading information on an application form will result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate. Advertisements published in English will only accept applications in English, other language submissions including Arabic will not 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 appointments to the same post or a similar post, when the need arises. Equivalency: Equivalency may apply for this post.
NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. The Agency disqualifies applicants whose name appears on the UN Sanctions List or a UN database of staff separated for reasons 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 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.