TERMS OF REFERENCE

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff.

Psychosocial Support Coordinator, Amman

BACKGROUND

UNRWA is mandated to respond to the needs and protect the rights of Palestine refugees including the provision of education to 500,000 children. Palestine refugee children live in a challenging context, one where there is poverty, displacement, exclusion, isolation, conflict and emergencies impacting significantly on their psychosocial well-being and development. Given the special context, the Inclusive Education policy focuses on the particular importance that UNRWA’s schools provide a learning environment that fosters the psychosocial well-being of children; and that additional support is available for those children who need it.

UNRWA acknowledges the vital importance of psychosocial wellbeing of Palestine refugees and has a strong commitment to provide psychosocial support within its Education Programme in regular situation and emergencies.

This project aims to strengthen UNRWA’s capacity to provide psychosocial support and promote psychosocial well-being in its schools. Specifically the project will raise awareness of children’s psychosocial needs and a child-friendly approach for promoting psychosocial well-being in UNRWA schools, support integrated planning of psychosocial support response for education in emergencies and inclusive education, strengthen psychosocial capacity building and training and develop a model for support, supervision and quality assurance of psychosocial support. This will be achieved with the support of an expert on psychosocial support and the recruitment of a psychosocial support coordinator; who will work with the UNRWA’s Inclusive Education Unit and coordinates with education in emergency team (EiE) as well as all five Fields of operation.

Purpose

UNRWA seeks psychosocial coordinator to provide support to the GIZ funded project (Strengthening Psychosocial Support and Emergency Responsiveness in UNRWA’s Education Programme) that aim to strengthen UNRWA’s capacity to provide psychosocial support education and to promote the psychosocial well-being of Palestine refugee students.

Description of Duties and Responsibilities

·  Facilitate and participate in the analyses of the existing situation of psychosocial to UNRWA students ,through transparent scoping activities with regard to psychosocial support in UNRWA in the five fields of operation (Field visits, Workshops, Focus group discussions, face- to -face meetings and interviews, questionnaires, data collection and analysis etc.);

·  Support the reviewing process of the available resources , literature and training materials and strategic documents or organizational structure related to psychosocial in the five fields of operation (policies, strategies etc..);

·  Ensure effective communication, create links mechanisms and ensure coherence in approach – ownership by all key stakeholders;

·  Support the development of the Psychosocial Conceptual Framework for Psychosocial support in UNRWA schools, in a participatory approach and in coordination with Education in Emergency in the implementation of the psychosocial support in the fields;

·  Participate in the development of capacity building materials targeting enhancing the psychosocial support and wellbeing of UNRWA students;

·  Manage planning, prioritizing ,reporting and carry out communications ( report writing , written communication on operational and organizational development matters) and coordination at different levels and manage in proper way the documentation of the project activities, as well as making sure all data and corresponding documentation is available;

·  Any other related duties as may assigned by the Head/Inclusive Education and as necessary for the successful completion of this project.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

·  University degree from an accredited educational institution in the area of Psychology or Education or Guidance & Counseling or related subjects;

·  A minimum of 3 years work experience in the field related to psychosocial support and education;

·  Proficiency in computer applications (word processing, spreadsheets, statistical analysis software applications, etc);

·  Excellent command of written and spoken English is required. Arabic language is an asset;

·  Demonstrate high level of project management skills;

·  Ability to travel to UNRWA Fields of operations essential.

Competencies

·  Proficiency in computer applications (word processing, spreadsheets, statistical analysis software applications, etc);

·  Strong organizational skills and ability to priorities multiple task;

·  Ability to work in multi-cultural settings and teams with different backgrounds and skills;

·  Well-developed sense of initiative, strategic thinking and analytical skills.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

·  The duration of the assignment is 18 months;

·  Monthly remuneration of JD 2,867.400;

·  36 leave days for the 18-month contract period, pro-rated if contract is shorter.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants should submit a cover letter and CV or UN Personal History Form demonstrating clearly the knowledge and experience required to meet the consultancy requirements via clearly indicating the title of this consultancy “Psychosocial Support Coordinator” in the subject line of the message. The deadline for the submission of applications is 14/4/2014 (late applications will not be considered).

UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from both women and men. UNRWA encourages applications from qualified and experienced female candidates. Only those applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. UNRWA is a non-smoking environment.