Head Gender Section

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is the largest UN operation in the Middle East, established to provide assistance and protection to Palestine refugees. With over 30,000 staff members, UNRWA operates in five areas of operation, focusing on education, health care, social services, and emergency assistance. The agency is committed to helping Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development despite the challenging circumstances they face. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual contributions. The agency's mission emphasizes the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, aligning with international human rights standards and the UN's women peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security agenda.

Job Overview:
The Head Gender Section is a pivotal role within UNRWA, responsible for leading and coordinating agency-wide policies and strategies aimed at advancing gender equality and the protection of Palestine refugee women and girls. This position requires a deep understanding of international human rights standards and the UN’s women peace and security agenda. The incumbent will promote gender mainstreaming across UNRWA’s core programs and operations, ensuring that gender analysis is systematically integrated into all aspects of UNRWA’s work. The role also involves strengthening the agency's response to gender-based violence (GBV) and ensuring that humanitarian interventions are inclusive and responsive to the specific needs of women and girls. The Head Gender Section will provide strategic leadership and guidance to ensure that gender considerations are fully integrated into emergency preparedness and response frameworks, and will develop operational tools that promote the meaningful participation of Palestine refugee women and girls in design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and evaluation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate the development of agency-wide policies and strategies to advance gender equality and the rights of Palestine refugee women and girls.
• Promote gender mainstreaming across UNRWA’s core programs and operations, ensuring the integration of gender analysis to identify risks and vulnerabilities.
• Oversee the agency's approaches to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, working closely with field operations to ensure effective risk mitigation and survivor-centered approaches.
• Provide strategic leadership to integrate gender considerations into emergency preparedness and response frameworks.
• Develop operational guidance and tools to enhance the participation of Palestine refugee women and girls in program design and evaluation.
• Strengthen gender data systems to inform evidence-based decision-making and reporting on gender-responsive services.
• Advise UNRWA’s leadership on advancing gender equality within the workforce and promoting women’s leadership and representation.
• Build institutional capacity on gender equality and GBV through guidance, tools, and training.
• Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of gender-responsive programming.

Required Qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in gender studies, development studies, social sciences, human rights, public policy, or a related field.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in gender equality and women’s empowerment, including experience in gender mainstreaming, women’s protection, and GBV prevention and response.
• Proven experience in leading organizational gender strategies and supporting institutional change in humanitarian or development settings.
• Familiarity with relevant UN organizations and international legal protection frameworks is desirable.
• Demonstrated expertise in advancing gender equality within complex institutional contexts and knowledge of international human rights frameworks.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in fields such as gender studies, development studies, social sciences, human rights, or public policy. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of gender issues and the rights of women and girls in various contexts.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in gender equality and women’s empowerment. This experience should include leading gender strategies, working in fragile or conflict-affected contexts, and integrating gender considerations across various sectors such as education, health, and social services. Additionally, candidates must have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and their country of nationality.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Knowledge of French is desirable but not mandatory. Proficiency in English is crucial for effective communication within the UN system and for fulfilling the responsibilities of the role.

Additional Notes:
This position is a UN Regular Budget Post with a fixed term for one year, extendable based on need, funds availability, and performance. The incumbent may be required to travel within and occasionally outside the Agency’s area of operations in the Middle East. Applications must be submitted through UNRWA's online e-recruitment system, and only fully completed applications will be considered. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity and encourages applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. The agency maintains a non-smoking work environment and upholds the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.