Chief, HR Policies and Administrative Law

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 incumbent of this post reports to the Director of Human Resources (DHR). The incumbent of the post provides direct supervision to a number of professional and general services staff members and/or other personnel.

Manages the Human Resources Policies and Administrative Law Division (HRPAL); plans and coordinates the Division’s work objectives ensuring that comprehensive objectives and work plans are established and met; identifies and resolves any operational/management issues affecting the quality of services provided by the Division. Develops human resources (HR) policies, practices, and procedures to meet the evolving Agency needs in the context of strategic planning, goals, and objectives and provides proactive and innovative approaches and guidelines on the interpretation and implementation of the Agency’s policies and procedures related to the delivery of human resources services in consultations with stakeholders across the Agency at HQ, field and Executive Management level. Prepares rules, policy, position papers and proposals representing UNRWA’s views on human resources issues and reforms in all areas of HR including recruitment/staffing, staff development, performance management, grievances and HR legal, HR services, benefits and entitlements and staff wellbeing to ensure contemporary, UN-aligned HR practices across UNRWA; provides advice to Field and HQ management in line with the policies and guidelines ensuring consistent application across the Agency and undertaking applicable reviews of HR practices in Fields and HQ; coordinates with DLA, as required, in consultation with DHR; Leads and directs the work of subordinate staff in relation to appeals and grievances; in close collaboration with DLA contributes to designing, maintaining and updating the administrative and employment law systems for Agency staff; Represents HRD in inter-agency meetings and inter-agency cooperation projects as assigned by DHR; holds consultations with staff unions, government representative or inter-agency officials or missions as instructed. Acts for the Director during his or her absence, with full responsibility for HRD when designated by DHR; keeps abreast of wider UN issuances and international best practices and trends by liaising with professional peers, attending meetings and seminars, conducting research and analyzing the impact of such developments and issuances on the Agency’s HR strategies, policies and procedures; reviews and updates the Agency’s Staff Rules and Regulations and policy issuances; accordingly, Serve as the primary policy advisor to the Director of Human Resources, providing strategic guidance and expertise on HR policies and practices; ensures consistent application of HR policies across the Agency through training for managers and other stakeholders in the Field Offices in best HR practices and lessons learned; coordinates with the Department of Legal Affairs on disciplinary and appeals processes. Deputising for the Director of Human Resources.

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. Default managerial competencies may apply. Functional: i. Leading and Supervising ii. Relating and Networking iii. Formulating Strategies and Concepts Leadership: i. Managing Complexity and Change ii. Innovating and Taking Risks

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in in human resources management, public or business administration, law or in a related area such as social or behavioral sciences.

Not available.

At least ten years of relevant and progressive/varied human resources experience, including a minimum of five years in the UN system, or in international or governmental institutions at a senior supervisory level is required. A minimum of five years’ experience related to human resources regulatory framework design, including staff relations and case management is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a candidate for an international post must have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number is required. Candidates are required to make a declaration as to whether they have any current or past affiliations with non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, political organisations, military, or have/are engaged in activities or have made any public statements, that could be seen to impact their neutrality, objectivity or independence in the performance of their duties for the UN / UNRWA. Any declaration will not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration for this post. License to practice law in any jurisdiction is desired. Experience in UN administrative law is desired.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Arabic is desirable. 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).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

Desirable Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

Arabic

UN Level I

UN Level I

UN Level I

UN Level I

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

This is a UN Regular Budget post. Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension. Advertisements published in English will only accept applications in English, other language submissions will not be considered. 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. UNRWA personnel must ensure adding their contract type and grade level. Given the large pool of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment. Providing incorrect or misleading information on an application form will result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate. 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, when the need arises. Equivalency: A first level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025. 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 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/

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.

THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA) DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR REQUEST MONEY FROM CANDIDATES AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING, ONBOARDING). UNRWA DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.