Operations Support Officer, P3, WB (internally only) - 2 positions

Organizational Context

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is the largest UN operation in the Middle East, employing over 30,000 staff across five operational areas. This role is within the UNRWA organization and reports to the Protection Team Leader, potentially managing staff.

Job Purpose

This role is responsible for leading sub-thematic protection programs, developing strategies, and ensuring Palestine refugees have access to UNRWA services. The incumbent will provide expert advice, support the integration of protection policies, and conduct protection monitoring through field missions. Key functions include developing and implementing protection policies, strengthening internal coordination, conducting advocacy, assessing UNRWA installations, building community relations, and managing protection projects. The role also involves supporting fundraising, reporting, budget management, and supervising staff to ensure project objectives are met.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead protection program strategies and action plans to ensure refugee access to services. Integrate best practices into programs and draft guidance documents on protection topics. Provide expert advice and support to the Field Office on protection issues, enhancing agency capacity. Support the mainstreaming of UNRWA protection policies and humanitarian principles through training. Implement protection policies and standards, and strengthen internal coordination across services. Conduct protection monitoring via field missions to document threats and violations, informing programmatic and advocacy responses. Undertake private and public advocacy on protection issues with various stakeholders. Perform quarterly assessments of UNRWA installations based on protection principles. Build and maintain relationships with community stakeholders, UN agencies, and NGOs. Conduct service assessments, research, and needs assessments to identify refugee problems and recommend solutions. Support protection referrals across programs and lead the management of protection projects, including proposal writing, reporting, and budget management. Guide and support supervisees in planning, performance management, and capacity development.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of relevant experience in the humanitarian or human rights sector, focusing on areas such as gender, child protection, humanitarian principles, advocacy, or disability and inclusion, is required. At least two years of international experience outside UNRWA and outside the candidate's country of citizenship is also required, unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System. Knowledge of UNRWA operations and Middle East socio-political realities is desirable.

Skills

Communication, Working with People, Drive for Results, Creating and Innovating, Planning and Organizing, Persuading and Influencing, Relating and Networking.

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