Chief Environment Division

Organizational Context

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is a UN body established in 1949 to assist and protect approximately 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to support their human development potential pending a just solution. UNRWA operates across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and Gaza, providing essential services. As the largest UN operation in the Middle East, it employs over 30,000 staff and relies on voluntary contributions.

Job Purpose

The Chief of the Environment Division, reporting to the Director of Infrastructure and Camp Improvement, is responsible for directing, organizing, and planning the division's operations, activities, and financial matters related to environment and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene). This role involves coordinating with senior staff to integrate environmental aspects into departmental plans, developing and monitoring key performance indicators, and ensuring alignment with agency strategies. The incumbent leads the development and updating of agency-wide environmental and WASH policies, strategies, and frameworks, advising other departments to ensure coherence. They also develop manuals, guidelines, and tools, such as the ICIP Environmental and Social Management Framework, and promote innovative solutions for environmental sustainability and climate change challenges. The position requires overseeing the assessment of infrastructure needs and challenges in refugee camps, providing technical support, and developing capacity-building programs for staff.

Responsibilities

The Chief of the Environment Division directs and plans divisional operations, activities, and finances, ensuring integration of environmental and WASH aspects into departmental plans and monitoring key indicators. This includes leading the development and updating of agency-wide environmental and WASH policies, strategies, and frameworks, and advising other departments for alignment. The role involves creating manuals, guidelines, and tools, such as the ICIP Environmental and Social Management Framework, and implementing innovative proposals for environmental sustainability and climate change. Responsibilities also include reviewing and clearing the Solid Waste Management framework, assessing infrastructure needs in refugee camps (water supply, sanitation, waste management), and providing technical support for environmental and social management plans. Furthermore, the position involves developing capacity-building programs for staff, providing technical guidance on health and safety, and participating in departmental strategy planning, including fundraising and project development.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressive, relevant experience in environmental/sanitation engineering, including construction, project planning, management, and contract administration, with at least five years in a senior supervisory role. Experience in environmental sustainability, environmental and social management, and health and safety (ESHS) is required. Experience in strategy/policy development and formulation is also necessary. Advanced computer skills in relevant IT applications are required.

Skills

UN Core Values (Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity), Core Competencies (Communication, Working with People, Drive for Results). Specific competencies include Creating and Innovating, Deciding and Initiating Action, Relating and Networking, Leading and Supervising. Demonstrated technical knowledge in civil-structural discipline with the ability to develop and implement engineering solutions.

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