Area Relief and Social Services Officer

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 situation. The agency operates the largest UN operation in the Middle East, employing over 30,000 staff members and relying almost entirely on voluntary contributions for funding. UNRWA offers a range of services, including 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 are passionate about contributing to this mission.

Job Overview:
The Area Relief and Social Services Officer will play a crucial role in supervising and controlling the implementation of various social assistance programs, including the Social Safety Net (SSN) and emergency assistance initiatives. The incumbent will report technically to the Chief Relief and Social Services Programme and administratively to the Chief Area Officer. This position involves providing guidance and counseling to Relief Workers, representing the Relief and Social Services Programme (RSSP) at the area level, and ensuring compliance with relevant criteria and operating instructions. The officer will be responsible for preparing priority lists of families for assistance, conducting visits to verify data reliability, and monitoring the distribution process of social transfers. Additionally, the officer will coordinate with various stakeholders to ensure efficient delivery of assistance and promote integrated social intervention activities targeting clients. Regular meetings with RSS staff will be held for information sharing and coordination, and the officer will act as a focal point for refugee inquiries and community engagement.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Area Relief and Social Services Officer include:

• Supervising the implementation of SSN assistance and emergency programs, ensuring compliance with operational instructions.
• Approving the enrollment of refugee families in the SSN program and acting as a secretary to the SSN appeals committee.
• Preparing priority lists for assistance and conducting random visits to verify data reliability.
• Monitoring the distribution process of social transfers and conducting inspections at distribution sites.
• Coordinating with various staff to ensure timely delivery of assistance to beneficiaries.
• Providing administrative support to Area Registration teams and ensuring adherence to eligibility and registration procedures.
• Promoting joint multi-disciplinary social intervention activities in collaboration with the Area Social Work Supervisor.
• Representing the RSSP in emergencies and coordinating with other UNRWA programs.
• Planning and conducting needs assessment studies and liaising with local organizations to enhance resource use. 1
• Holding regular meetings with RSS staff for coordination and training needs. 1
• Acting as a focal point for refugee inquiries and maintaining custodianship over RSSD premises. 1
• Performing other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Area Relief and Social Services Officer position include a university degree from an accredited institution in social work, sociology, psychology, social anthropology, guidance and counseling, or a related field. Additionally, candidates should have professional training in action-oriented social research and participation in at least two research projects. Relevant work experience is also essential, with at least five years in relief services or social development programs, including three years in a supervisory or management role, preferably in a similar program. Candidates must provide detailed explanations of their supervisory experience, including periods and number of supervised employees.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as social work, sociology, psychology, social anthropology, guidance and counseling, or other related disciplines. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of social services and relief programs.

Experience:
Candidates are required to have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in relief services and/or social development programs. Out of these five years, at least three years must be in a supervisory or management capacity, preferably within a similar program. Applicants should detail their experience, including specific periods and the number of employees supervised during those times, to demonstrate their qualifications for the role.

Languages:
For this position, proficiency in English and Arabic is mandatory. English is required at UN Level II, while Arabic is required at UN Level III for reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Knowledge of French is considered an asset but is not mandatory. Candidates must meet the minimum required language proficiency levels as outlined in the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is a Fixed Term Appointment for one year, including a one-year probation period, with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance and the availability of funds. The position is classified at Grade 15, with a monthly basic salary of USD 1,592.60, payable in Jordanian Dinar at the UN monthly exchange rate. Additional benefits include a monthly Provident Fund contribution, compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, and a dependency allowance if applicable. The incumbent will also receive two days of sick leave for each completed month of service, 14 weeks of maternity leave, and two weeks of paternity leave. Candidates must be willing to travel in the field and may be required to work during irregular hours. This vacancy is open to internal candidates only, and preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and candidates from underrepresented genders to support gender parity. The agency will not facilitate work permits, and candidates must reside in the duty station or nearby areas for easy commuting.