Acting Principal of TVET

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 across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. UNRWA aims to help these refugees achieve their full potential in human development while awaiting a just resolution to their plight. The agency operates the largest UN operation in the Middle East, employing over 30,000 staff members and offering a wide range of services including education, healthcare, relief and social services, camp infrastructure improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is primarily funded through voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual donors. The organization is dedicated to making a tangible difference in the lives of one of the world's most vulnerable communities, and it actively seeks individuals who are passionate about contributing to this mission.

Job Overview:
The position of Acting Principal of TVET involves providing essential support to trainees and refugees who are experiencing psychosocial and mental health challenges. The role requires the individual to offer counseling and guidance to these individuals, either individually, in groups, or with their families. The Acting Principal will be responsible for implementing community and public mental health activities in accordance with established Community Mental Health (CMH) guidelines. This includes coordinating referrals to other services or agencies as necessary, conducting home visits, and participating in crisis intervention and emergency psychosocial activities. The individual will also be tasked with developing comprehensive plans at the installation level, submitting regular reports on counseling activities, and raising awareness among UNRWA staff regarding psychological and mental health issues affecting disadvantaged pupils and refugees. The role is crucial in ensuring that the mental health needs of the community are addressed effectively and with due confidentiality.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Acting Principal of TVET include:

• Receiving trainees and refugees with psychosocial and/or mental health needs and providing individual, group, or family counseling and guidance.
• Delivering community and public mental health TVET and primary prevention activities in line with CMH guidelines.
• Coordinating referrals for identified trainees and their families to appropriate services or agencies in consultation with the supervisor.
• Conducting home visits and community interventions as required, adhering to CMH standards.
• Participating in crisis intervention and emergency psychosocial activities as assigned.
• Developing weekly, monthly, and yearly plans in coordination with the installation head.
• Submitting regular reports on counseling activities, overall workload, outcomes, case lists, and critical incidents while ensuring confidentiality.
• Raising awareness among UNRWA staff about psychological and mental health issues and the rights of disadvantaged pupils and refugees.
• Performing additional duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree from an accredited institution in psychology, counseling, community mental health, or a related field. Additionally, candidates are required to indicate their current involvement in outside activities, which may include employment, freelance consulting, board memberships, public speaking, teaching, and voluntary work. It is essential that all acquired university degrees are stated in the application, as providing incorrect or misleading information may lead to disqualification or termination of appointment if hired.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree from an accredited institution in psychology, counseling, community mental health, or a related field. This educational foundation is crucial for effectively addressing the mental health needs of trainees and refugees, as well as for implementing community mental health initiatives.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least two years of experience in counseling, mental health, or related activities. This experience is vital for understanding the complexities of mental health issues faced by the community and for providing effective support to trainees and refugees. The experience should encompass a range of relevant activities, including direct counseling, community interventions, and collaboration with other services or agencies.

Languages:
For this position, proficiency in English and Arabic is required. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, but for this job opening, candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in both English and Arabic according to the UN Language Framework. The required proficiency levels include: English - UN Level II for reading, writing, listening, and speaking; Arabic - UN Level II for reading and speaking, UN Level I for writing and listening.

Additional Notes:
The contract type for this position is a "Daily Paid" contract modality for up to three months, with the possibility of extension based on need, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. The position is graded at Grade 10, with a daily rate of 27.12 USD. Additional benefits include one day of annual leave and one day of sick leave for each completed month of service. This vacancy is open to external candidates, but only those residing in Syria and within commuting distance of the duty station (Damascus) are eligible to apply. It is important to note that the UNRWA does not charge any fees or request money from candidates at any stage of the recruitment process. Furthermore, applicants are urged to follow all instructions carefully and provide complete and accurate information in their applications.