Director or Communications, D-1, Jerusalem At UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

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. In this role, you will be the Commissioner-General’s principal support in the effort to mobilize the high volumes of funds and resources needed to assure the achievement of UNRWA’s mission, and provide direct supervision to the external relations and communications functions and their staff, as well as technical guidance to Field Public Information Offices and Field Programme Support Offices.

Responsibilities

Leads and manages the Department of External Relations and Communications, and provides strategic advice to the Commissioner-General and the Deputy Commissioner-General on all matters pertinent to securing, diversifying, increasing and sustaining UNRWA’s funding base, and on Agency-wide integrated communications strategies.

Envisions, develops, implements, monitors and updates as needed UNRWA’s resource mobilization strategy, effective information sharing systems and related working arrangements both within the External Relations and Communications Department (ERCD) and across the agency, ensuring high quality relevant analysis including, inter alia, funding trends and opportunities and assessments of different fundraising approaches, continuously seeking to identify and expand innovative sources of funding for the Agency and developing outreach strategies that will strengthen the agency’s external positioning (including with the UN system).

Develops communication strategies to reach different external and internal target audiences, ensuring direct alignment and support to UNRWA mandate, positioning and branding, advocacy, resource mobilization and fundraising, and, further, as part of overall communication responsibilities, develops and delivers messages that respond to overarching concerns of the refugee community.

Leads the development of UNRWA’s institutional platforms, digital engagement (web, social media, traditional media) that promote the Agency’s positioning and brand, and institutional campaigns, in line with the strategic communications. Contributes, advises and supports the work of other Departments related to external relations and communications, notably the Representative Offices and the Field Offices.

Leads the National Committees, providing oversight and support to existing Committees while exploring opportunities for expansion. Represents the agency, and notably the Commissioner-General and the Deputy-Commissioner General in high level meetings with Member States and donors, at other outreach or information functions, including with media, UN agencies, INGOs, and other stakeholders.

As a member of the Agency’s Senior Management team, supports the overall management of UNRWA, in addition to which the incumbent may have specific responsibilities related to internal governance structures, as established by the Executive Office.

Competencies

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.

– Delivering Results – Creating and Maintaining Impact and Partnership – Persuading and Influencing – Creating and Innovating – Formulating Strategies and Concepts

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un. org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in social sciences, international relations, media, journalism, political science, public relations, fundraising and resource mobilization, communications or related discipline. Job Specific Qualifications

Work Experience Fifteen years of progressively responsible and relevant experience is required

At least eight years of relevant work experience in a senior supervisory capacity in a large international or governmental organization is required

A minimum of 2 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 Knowledge of Middle East culture and environment (desirable) Knowledge of the United Nations (desirable) Languages Excellent command of written and spoken English Knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable. Knowledge of French is highly desirable. Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension.

The Director of External Relations and Communications will be required to reside in Jerusalem and will be required to travel extensively in the Agency’s area of operations (Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and West Bank) as well as to other regions (Gulf, Europe, Americas, Africa, Asia) to identify and develop partnerships for UNRWA.

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. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for an appointment to the same post or a similar post. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. 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/