Senior Functional Expert

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 194

• Its primary mission is to provide assistance and protection to approximately 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees. UNRWA operates in five areas: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, focusing on helping these refugees achieve their full potential in human development while awaiting a just resolution to their plight. The agency is the largest UN operation in the Middle East, employing over 30,000 staff members and is funded almost entirely through voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual donations. UNRWA's services include education, healthcare, relief and social services, camp infrastructure improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. The organization is committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, and it actively seeks individuals who share this commitment to join its ranks.

Job Overview:
The Senior Functional Expert position is a critical role within UNRWA, responsible for providing technical guidance and support to the Head of the Business Service Management Section or the Head of the IT Service Centre. This role involves analyzing user requirements and needs, developing technical solutions, and preparing functional and technical documentation. The Senior Functional Expert will manage the planning and implementation of information systems projects, ensuring that they meet the established project plans, budgets, and quality standards. The position requires close collaboration with users throughout all phases of project development and implementation, as well as supervision and professional guidance to assigned project teams. The expert will also be responsible for organizing and performing unit and integrated testing for new systems, developing training materials, and overseeing the implementation of new systems. This role is essential for ensuring that UNRWA's information systems effectively support the agency's mission and objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Functional Expert will undertake a variety of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Analyzing user requirements and needs to develop and propose technical solutions that align with system constraints.
• Preparing functional and technical solution documents, including new or changed workflows and processes.
• Coordinating and obtaining user approvals for system implementation, rollout, and training plans.
• Managing the planning and implementation of information systems projects, including developing project plans and budgets.
• Tracking and monitoring project progress against established plans, budgets, scope, and quality standards.
• Liaising with users during all phases of project development and implementation to ensure their needs are met.
• Providing supervision and professional guidance to assigned project teams, facilitating communication between the Information Management Department and its major stakeholders.
• Organizing and performing unit and integrated testing for new systems and changes to existing systems.
• Overseeing the development and implementation of test cases and assisting users in conducting acceptance testing. 1
• Developing training materials and operating guidelines for new systems and writing reports on project/system status and issues. 1
• Preparing 'Request for Information', 'Request for Proposal', and contract documents for the development and implementation of new systems. 1
• Negotiating with vendors/contractors regarding changes to existing systems, including work scope, effort estimates, time schedules, and costs. 1
• Managing the performance of contractors on assigned projects to ensure compliance with agency standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Senior Functional Expert position must possess several key qualifications, including:

• An advanced university degree from an accredited institution in computer science or business administration with a focus on computer-related studies and/or information technology.
• Formal training in project management techniques is required.
• Business Analysis Certification and Project Management Certification are desirable but not mandatory.
• A thorough understanding of business analysis, applications development, and implementation processes is essential.
• Knowledge and experience in the automation of areas such as population registration, relief services, education, health, microfinance, and ERP systems are required.
• Proven hands-on experience in web projects involving multi-tier application development, object-oriented design, and programming using .Net tools over major RDBMS, preferably MS SQL, is necessary.
• Familiarity with standard SDLC methodologies, project management tools, and techniques, as well as proficiency in standard productivity tools such as MS Office and MS Project, is required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Senior Functional Expert position includes an advanced university degree in computer science or business administration with an emphasis on computer-related studies and/or information technology. Candidates should also have formal training in project management techniques, which is essential for effectively managing the various projects and initiatives within UNRWA's information systems.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of seven years of relevant work experience in business analysis, applications development, and implementation. This experience should include knowledge and expertise in the automation of key areas such as population registration, relief services, education, health, microfinance, and ERP systems. Additionally, candidates should have thorough knowledge and proven hands-on experience in web projects that involve multi-tier application development and object-oriented design and programming, particularly utilizing .Net tools over major RDBMS, preferably MS SQL. Familiarity with standard SDLC methodologies and project management tools is also required.

Languages:
For this position, English is the mandatory working language, and candidates must demonstrate proficiency at UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. While French is also a working language of the United Nations Secretariat, it is not specified as a desirable language for this position. Therefore, candidates should focus on their English language skills to meet the requirements of the role.

Additional Notes:
The Senior Functional Expert position is a Fixed Term Appointment for one year, with the possibility of further extension based on the availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and continuing need. The position is classified at Grade 17, with a monthly basic salary of JD 1156.60, plus a special occupational allowance (SOA) of 69.90% of the basic salary. Other benefits include a monthly Provident Fund contribution (15.4% of basic salary paid by the Agency), compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, and a dependency allowance if applicable. Additional benefits include two days of sick leave for each completed month of service, 14 weeks of maternity leave, and two weeks of paternity leave. This vacancy notice is open to internal candidates only, and only candidates residing in Amman and within commuting distance of the duty station with authorization to work in the duty station at the time of application are eligible to apply. The Agency will not assume responsibility for facilitating the issuance of work permits in Jordan, and without a valid work permit, the appointment may be rescinded. The incumbent may be required to travel within the Agency's area of operations and may need to work outside normal duty hours on an on-call basis. Preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and candidates who assist the Agency in achieving gender parity. All applications must be submitted through UNRWA's online e-recruitment system, and late applications will not be accepted. Candidates must ensure that their Personal History Profile (PHP) is fully completed, including all work experience and educational qualifications. UNRWA personnel must specify their contract type and grade level in their applications. Given the large pool of applicants, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further assessment.