Social Worker

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women (UNW) is an organization grounded in the vision of equality as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. Established to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men, UN Women leads and coordinates efforts within the United Nations system to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action globally. The organization provides strong leadership in support of Member States’ priorities, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors. UN Women operates with a unique capacity to support Member States in strengthening global norms for gender equality, promote coordination across the UN system, and undertake operational activities to translate global standards into local legislation and policies. Since its inception in 1997, UN Women has played a catalytic role in the State of Palestine, aligning its work with national priorities and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework outcomes, focusing on economic opportunities, access to social services, and democratic governance.

Job Overview:
The position of Social Worker within UN Women is crucial for delivering 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 coordination with the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD). The main objective is to provide comprehensive social work support that addresses the multifaceted needs of beneficiaries, including their psychological, legal, and social challenges. The role involves conducting assessments, developing individualized support plans, and facilitating access to various services, all while ensuring the dignity and safety of the beneficiaries. The social workers will also engage in advocacy efforts to promote the protection and empowerment of women and girls, adapting their strategies based on feedback and evolving needs. This position requires a commitment to working in a challenging environment, where the realities faced by women and girls are dire due to ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Social Worker will be responsible for a range of duties including: conducting initial receptions of cases and managing beneficiary files; collecting comprehensive data on beneficiaries; enhancing the sense of safety and dignity for beneficiaries; performing holistic assessments covering various aspects of beneficiaries' lives; developing individual-based plans that address health, psychosocial, legal, and counseling needs; facilitating enrollment in educational or vocational programs; providing individual and group psychosocial support; strengthening beneficiaries’ capacities for reintegration; regularly evaluating and updating intervention plans; conducting final evaluations and preparing reports; coordinating with MoSD and local organizations; participating in meetings and capacity-building initiatives; collecting feedback for continuous improvement; and providing advocacy support aligned with identified priorities. The social worker will also be expected to maintain comprehensive documentation of case management activities and submit monthly progress reports detailing key activities and outcomes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in social work, social science, or a related field. Alternatively, completion of secondary education combined with three additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the degree. A strong background in social work, particularly in areas related to violence against women and case management, is essential. Experience with national referral mechanisms in Gaza and collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs) is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field is required for this position. In cases where candidates do not hold a degree, a combination of secondary education and three years of relevant experience may be considered. This educational background ensures that the social worker has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively support beneficiaries in a complex and challenging environment.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of professional experience in social work is required for this position. This experience should include work related to violence against women and case management, as well as familiarity with national referral mechanisms in Gaza. Candidates with experience working with civil society organizations will be given preference, as this experience is crucial for effective collaboration and service delivery in the context of Gaza's humanitarian crisis.

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 access to resources.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time consultancy based in Gaza, requiring the social worker to work five days a week. The role involves home-based work with intermittent field visits to partner facilities and community locations. The consultant will be responsible for submitting monthly progress reports and a final consultancy report at the end of the contract. The consultancy is expected to last from mid-October 2025 through mid-October 2026, with a focus on delivering measurable outcomes in terms of empowerment and protection for women and girls affected by the ongoing crisis.