Senior Technical Specialist-Recovery Programme

Provide technical oversight for recovery programmes in Syria.

This opening expired 8 months ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

UNRWA - UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees

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Application deadline 8 months ago: Monday 15 Sep 2025 at 03:59 UTC

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Overview

Provide technical oversight for recovery programmes in Syria.

You have:

  • Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in programme management, public or business administration, social sciences, or a related discipline.
  • At least seven years of progressively responsible and field based experience in post crisis recovery and development assistance programmes is required.
  • A minimum of four years of professional work experience at senior level is required.
  • Prior experience in post conflict transition countries on recovery programmes is required.
  • At least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required.
  • Excellent command of written and spoken English is required.
  • Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 118,534 USD and 152,825 USD.

Salary for a P-4 contract in Syria

The international rate of 90,970 USD, with an additional 30.3% (post adjustment) at this the location, applies. Please note that depending on the location, a higher post adjustment might still result in a lower purchasing power.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

More about P-4 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, 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 incumbent reports to the Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs (Programmes).

Responsibilities

Provides technical oversight for the design and implementation of recovery programmes within the UNRWA Syria field office, in alignment with the UNRWA Strategic Plan (2023- 2028), the annual Emergency Appeal for Syria, and the UNRWA Recovery Programme Strategy (2025-2028), ensuring consistency with UN engagement in Syria, particularly within the framework of humanitarian -development - peace (HDP) nexus. Maintains close coordination with the technical programme teams in UNRWA HQ, fostering collaboration and ensuring best practices are adhered to throughout the programme lifecycle. Mainstreams recovery interventions into the overall humanitarian response, building on the existing programmes of (health, eduation, protection, technical and vocational training, microfinance, and social services), and develops new interventions. Supports the programme teams in planning, implementation, and monitoring of recovery activities, as well as provides technical support to them in their engagement with various stakeholders, including communities, in the design and implementation of recovery interventions. Identifies opportunities and establishes partnerships for recovery programmes with other UN agencies and other organisations, including positioning UNRWA in interagency joint funding initiatives and consortiums. Engages in the relevant country working groups and participates in technical consultations and workshops. Conducts relevant market and community assessments and develops a livelihood programme for the vulnerable palestinian refugees, incorporating relevant programme models developed by other UN agencies in conflict and post-conflict countries. Supports in fundraising efforts to secure necessary funding and enhance recovery initiatives effectively through Leading technical discussions with prospective donors and supports the development of comprehensive project proposals. Oversee implementation of a project funded by the Government of Japan. Supports the integration of cross-cutting themes, including conflict sensitivity, gender, protection, environment, social cohesion and Accountability to Affected Populations, into field-specific programme planning process, ensuring their effective consideration and implementation throughout programme development and execution. Designs and delivers training programmes tailored for programme teams, and facilitates learning workshops focusing on design, implementation and other aspects of recovery programmes, ensuring knowledge sharing and skills development.

Competencies

UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Applying Technical Expertise Relating and Networking Entrepreneurial Thinking Formulating Strategies and Concepts Delivering Results

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in programme management, public or business administration, social sciences, or a related discipline.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least seven years of progressively responsible and field based experience in post crisis recovery and development assistance programmes, recovery programme or project management, results-based management, staff capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation is required. A minimum of four years of professional work experience at senior level is required. Prior and hands on experience working in post conflict transition countries, on recovery programmes is required. Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System. at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of citizenship is required. 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.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This is a Project Funded post. Type of Contract and duration: 1 years, with the possibility of further extension subject to need, funds and performance. The incumbent will be required to travel to UNRWA area of operations, in Syria and other countries. Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system inspira will be considered and no late applications will be accepted. The Personal History Profile (PHP) should be completed with full work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. All university degrees must also be stated, where applicable. UNRWA personnel must ensure adding their contract type and grade level. Given the large pool of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessment. Providing incorrect or misleading information on an application form will result in the immediate disqualification of the candidate. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post, when the need arises. Equivalency: A first level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environment sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025. The Agency disqualifies applicants whose name appears on the UN Sanctions List or a UN database of staff separated for reason of misconduct or of staff who separated while a misconduct process was pending. UNRWA shares investigation and misconduct information with other UN Agencies, and past and prospective employers about staff members who have been separated for misconduct, or who have separated while an investigation and/or disciplinary process for misconduct is underway; and those individuals may be prohibited from employment with the United Nations. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/

United Nations Considerations

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups. At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST (UNRWA) DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR REQUEST MONEY FROM CANDIDATES AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT AND ONBOARDING PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING, ONBOARDING). UNRWA DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Potential interview questions

Describe your experience in designing recovery programmes in post-crisis settings. What factors did you consider? This question assesses your technical expertise and understanding of recovery processes. Detail your relevant experiences, emphasizing the frameworks you used and lessons learned.
How do you ensure effective stakeholder engagement during project implementation? This question gauges your communication and networking skills. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you share an instance where you successfully secured funding for a recovery project? What steps did you take? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you integrate gender sensitivity into recovery programme planning? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What challenges have you faced in post-conflict programming, and how have you overcome them? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Explain how you monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of recovery programmes. Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a training programme you have developed for field teams. What were its core objectives? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What is your approach to mainstreaming social cohesion in recovery initiatives? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 9 months ago - Updated 8 months ago - Source: careers.un.org