Chief Protection Division

Org. Setting and ReportingUNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Chief Protection Division reports to the Deputy Commissioner-General (Programmes and Partnerships). The Chief Protection Division supervises a range of professional and general services posts. S/he is responsible for leading, managing coordinating and supporting the development and implementation of policies, practices and activities related to the protection of Palestine refugees in all the fields of the Agency’s operations. ResponsibilitiesPlans, directs and manages the work of the Protection Division at Headquarters, ensuring a rights-based approach that upholds the dignity, safety and agency of Palestine refugees; oversees work planning, staff supervision, and financial management in line with the Agency’s strategic objectives; and creates an inclusive work environment where diverse staff, regardless of identity, culture or situation, feel valued and contribute their expertise, energy and creativity to the work of the Agency. Leads the strengthening of the Agency’s protection function across its programmes, operations, and external engagements, ensuring that the Agency’s approach and direction continue to be anchored in international human rights and humanitarian law as it navigates political, financial and operational challenges. Provides strategic leadership on disability inclusion, gender equity, and child safeguarding, working closely with the Executive Office, Field Offices, Programmes and Departments; oversees Agency-wide reporting and implementation under the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy and UN System-Wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women; and supports the strengthening of the Agency’s accountability to Palestine refugees, including through inclusive participation, two-way communication, and responsive community feedback mechanisms. Leads on the Agency’s protection advocacy strategy, working closely with the External Relations and Communications Department, Executive Office, Representative Offices and Liaison Office in Geneva, to raise matters related to the rights of Palestine refugees with appropriate duty bearers, including host governments and third-party member states, including privately and through public advocacy; coordinates submissions to the international human rights and justice mechanisms, working closely with protection teams in the fields as well as the Department of Legal Affairs, ensuring a consistent Agency-wide approach in line with the overall protection advocacy strategy. Develops and supports protection programming at the field level to address specific protection risks and gaps, specifically through providing technical support, guidance, and advice to protection teams and front offices in the field offices. Ensures that adequate protection policies, guidance, tools and procedures are in place across the Agency and that they reflect best practice and complement UNRWA’s programmes; provides practical information and guidance to staff and identifies protection training needs. Strengthens the application of humanitarian principles by working closely with the Neutrality Unit, including by providing guidance to protection field teams on integrated assessments of UNRWA installations and training for staff. Develops and manages key partnerships with other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, and governmental bodies as relevant that are working on the human rights of Palestine refugees to enhance service delivery and protection, particularly for the most vulnerable. CompetenciesUN Core Values of lntegrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply. Functional: i. Leading and Supervising ii. Applying Technical Expertise iii. Planning and Organizing iv. Deciding and Initiating Action Leadership (as applicable): i. Managing Complexity and Change ii. Creating and Maintaining Impact and Partnership EducationAn advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in law, social or political science, international relations or related fields, preferably with a focus on international human rights, humanitarian law and/or refugee law. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceAt least ten years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in country-wide or regional protection operations or human rights is required. At least five years at a senior international level in positions of significant responsibility in country-wide or regional protection operations or human rights is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a candidate for an international post must have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number is required. Work experience with the United Nations Common System is desirable. Field experience is desirable. Candidates are required to make a declaration as to whether they have any current or past affiliations with non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, political organisations, military, or have/are engaged in activities or have made any public statements, that could be seen to impact their neutrality, objectivity or independence in the performance of their duties for the UN / UNRWA. Any declaration will not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration for this post. For UNRWA internal staff: Do you currently hold a contract of 1 year or more with UNRWA? If yes, please confirm whether you have completed your mandatory probation period is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).