Head, Refugee Registration and Eligibility Division

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 Head, Refugee Registration and Eligibility Division reports to the Director, Relief and Social Services Department.

Responsibilities

Supervises and guides the conceptualisation and overall functioning of the Refugee Registration Information System (RRIS) and coordinates its further development and data sharing processes with the Information Management and Technology Department, the Department of Legal Affairs, and Field Offices. Supports and leads reviews, consultations and workshops to identify gaps and shortcomings in the RRIS, designs solutions and follows through necessary actions to implement these ensuring that the RRIS is in line with an individual-centred, rights-based approach and provides for accurate and relevant information on registered Palestine refugees in support of the Agency’s mandate; Leads the analysis of refugee registration information on the RRIS with regards to its accuracy and relevance to UNRWA Programmes, the contributing to the quest for just and durable solutions for Palestine refugees, and for external communication and advocacy purposes. Produces relevant reports accordingly and suggests improvements to registration policies and processes for improving information credibility as required; Supports capacity building across the Agency for a better understanding of data protection needs related to personally and demographically identifiable information as stored on the RRIS. Reviews, proposes and implements as far as possible data access and sharing options for refugees and third party users in line with the Agency’s data protection policies. Directs and coordinates the preparation of user requirements across the Agency for accessing RRIS information in close collaboration with the Information Management and Technology Department, and contributes to conceptualisation and testing of new systems in support of programme operations and information needs for planning purposes; Designs strategies and develops innovative methods to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of registration and eligibility operations, including in emergency contexts. Reviews, drafts and contributes as applicable to policies and procedures pertaining to refugee registration and eligibility for UNRWA assistance and protection. In particular, reviews the Agency’s Consolidated Eligibility and Registration Instructions (CERI) and supports revision and updating processes as applicable; Directs the implementation of a comprehensive quality assurance framework in line with the CERI, and establishes oversight measures, including monitoring and evaluation processes. Exercises overall responsibility to ensure high-quality registration and eligibility standards are adhered to in all fields of operations, including during emergencies, and guides remedial actions when required; Oversees and guides the quarterly issuance of UNRWA Registered and Serviced Population Dashboards and such other periodic statistical reports as may be generated; Acts as the principal custodian and is responsible for safeguarding the Agency’s registration records and associated documentation materials of registered refugees to ensure these are continuously up-to-date and valid for internal and external use, as necessary;

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. Applying Technical Expertise Formulating Strategies and Concepts Creating and Innovating Relating and Networking Analyzing Ability to work in an independent and self-driven manner and commitment to the job

Education

Advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution in demography, social statistics, social sciences, history, international law or a related field.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least seven years of experience in demographic research, policy analysis, applied social sciences, refugee registration and/or population data management is required. Prior working experience in the Middle and/or Near East and knowledge of the political and socio-economic history and dynamics of the region is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a candidate for an international post must have a minimum of 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. Experience in project and team management in a large organization including government services is desired. Working knowledge of Arabic language is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English is required; Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This is a UN Regular Budget post. Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension. 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. Given the large pool of applicants only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 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. Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025. 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. 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.

No Fee

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.