Social Worker

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women (UNW) is an organization founded on the principles of equality as outlined in the Charter of the United Nations. Established to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, UN Women focuses on empowering women and achieving gender equality as both partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization plays a pivotal role in coordinating the United Nations system's efforts to ensure that commitments to gender equality are translated into actionable results globally. With a mission that emphasizes women's rights, UN Women has a unique capacity to support Member States in strengthening global norms for gender equality, promoting accountability across the UN system, and undertaking operational activities to translate these norms into local legislation and policies. Since its inception in 1997, UN Women has been active in the State of Palestine, aligning its work with national priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework outcomes. The organization aims to enhance economic opportunities, access to social services, and democratic governance for Palestinians, particularly focusing on the empowerment of women and addressing issues of violence against women and girls.

Job Overview:
The position of Social Worker at UN Women is crucial in providing specialized support to women and girls affected by violence, displacement, and trauma in Gaza. The social workers will work under the guidance of the UN Women Sawasya III Rule of Law and Protection Specialist and in close coordination with the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD). The primary objective of this role is to deliver comprehensive social work support that addresses the multifaceted needs of beneficiaries, including their physical, psychological, and social well-being. The social workers will be responsible for conducting initial assessments, developing individualized support plans, and facilitating access to various services that promote empowerment and resilience. This role requires a deep understanding of the challenges faced by women and girls in conflict-affected areas and the ability to provide compassionate and effective support. The social workers will also engage in continuous evaluation of their interventions and adapt strategies based on the evolving needs of the beneficiaries, ensuring that their work aligns with the overarching goals of UN Women and the MoSD.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Social Worker will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to: conducting initial receptions of cases and maintaining dedicated files for each beneficiary to ensure systematic case management; collecting comprehensive data on beneficiaries, including their rehabilitation history and current challenges; enhancing beneficiaries' sense of safety and dignity within service environments; performing holistic assessments that cover economic, social, psychological, cultural, health, and legal aspects; developing individualized plans that address health, psychosocial, legal, and counseling needs; facilitating beneficiaries' enrollment in academic and vocational programs; providing individual and group psychosocial support; strengthening beneficiaries' capacities for safe reintegration into families and communities; regularly evaluating and updating intervention plans; preparing monthly progress reports detailing activities and challenges; ensuring comprehensive documentation of case management; and submitting a final consultancy report summarizing achievements and recommendations for ongoing support.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in social work, social science, or a related field. Alternatively, candidates with secondary education combined with three additional years of qualifying experience may be considered. A minimum of five years of professional experience in social work is required, with specific experience in areas related to violence against women and case management. Familiarity with national referral mechanisms in Gaza and experience working with civil society organizations (CSOs) are highly desirable qualifications.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field. In cases where candidates do not hold a degree, a combination of secondary education and relevant work experience may be accepted. This flexibility allows for a broader range of applicants while still ensuring that candidates have the necessary foundational knowledge and skills to perform effectively in the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in social work, particularly in contexts related to violence against women and case management. Candidates should have a proven track record of working within national referral mechanisms in Gaza and should be familiar with the challenges and dynamics of the local context. Experience collaborating with civil society organizations is also highly valued, as it enhances the social worker's ability to provide integrated and effective support to beneficiaries.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for effective communication with beneficiaries. A working knowledge of English is desirable, as it may facilitate collaboration with international partners and enhance the social worker's ability to engage with broader networks and resources.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is full-time, requiring the social worker to work five days a week. The role is home-based in Gaza, but it will involve intermittent field visits to partner facilities, shelters, and community locations to provide direct support and conduct follow-ups. The consultant will be expected to prepare monthly progress reports and a final consultancy report, detailing key activities, achievements, challenges, and recommendations for ongoing support. The contract duration is from mid-October 2025 through mid-October 2026, with a total of 12 monthly reports required during this period.