Programme Manager- Early Recovery and Livelihoods, P3

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 Senior Technical Specialist- Recovery Programme.

Leads day-to-day planning, coordination and implementation of the Early Recovery and Livelihoods portfolio, including workplans, implementation schedules, field rollout plans, beneficiary pipelines, activity trackers and follow-up mechanisms, ensuring delivery within approved targets, timelines and budgets. Ensures that livelihood activities are implemented as an integrated pathway linking outreach, application, eligibility screening, vulnerability assessment, business feasibility review, TVET linkages, toolkit or grant support, coaching, milestone verification and post-distribution monitoring. Manages the operational cycle of small business grants, including application forms, screening tools, assessment tools, scoring sheets, verification checklists, grant agreements, tranche release documentation, MoUs, mentoring tools and post-distribution monitoring tools, ensuring that the process is fair, transparent, documented and technical defensible Coordinates with teams based in the Field Office and Area offices, including, TVET teams, Area Offices, RSSP and Microfinance to ensure effective linkages between training pathways, toolkit support, job fairs, business coaching, business feasibility assessment, financial literacy and enterprise support, while maintaining separation between grants and loan products. Coordinates beneficiary outreach, field verification, scoring and committee review processes; prepares case packages, agendas, minutes, decision logs and action trackers; and supports segregation of duties between outreach, screening, scoring, approval and payment processes. Monitors implementation progress and maintain complete, accurate and retrievable project documentation, including beneficiary records, training completion data, toolkit distribution records, grant approval and disbursement files, tranche verification records, coaching logs, complaints records and post-distribution monitoring data. Prepares monthly and ad hoc progress reports, donor reporting inputs, case studies, lessons learned, visibility inputs and implementation updates as required. Ensures that project implementation is aligned with accountability, protection, inclusion and risk management standards by supporting accessible outreach and participation; maintaining confidentiality and data protection; communicating eligibility and selection criteria clearly; strengthening complaints and feedback handling; and escalating risks related to fraud, safeguarding, conflict of interest, misuse of funds, reputational exposure or community tension. Maintains close working relationships with Programme Support, Area Offices, RSSP, TVET, Microfinance, M&E, Finance, Procurement, Protection, Gender and Disability focal points, as well as communications and donor reporting colleagues, and supports the Senior Technical Specialist in consolidating implementation updates, challenges, corrective actions and lessons learned.

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. Formulating Strategies and Concepts Applying Technical Expertise Relating and Networking Deciding and Initiating Action Planning and Organizing Delivers Results Manages Complexity and Change Creates and Maintains Impact and Partnership

Advanced university degree, in development studies, economics, business administration, social sciences, livelihoods, project management, humanitarian affairs, international development or a related

Not available.

Advanced university degree, in development studies, economics, business administration, social sciences, livelihoods, project management, humanitarian affairs, international development or a related field is required. At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in humanitarian or development programme management, including at least three years in livelihoods, early recovery, economic recovery, cash-based assistance, small business support, vocational training, entrepreneurship, grants management or related programming is required. Demonstrated experience in market-based livelihoods, entrepreneurship development and local economic recovery including donor funded livelihoods or early recovery programming involving grants, toolkits, vocational training linkages, between coaching and post support monitoring is required. Experience should include beneficiary selection, vulnerability assessment, field verification, scoring systems, grant agreements, milestone-based tranche release, post distribution monitoring, donor-funded implementation and reporting, and work in fragile, conflict-affected or refugee settings is required. Experience in the Middle East and familiarity with refugee programming, market-based livelihoods, TVET linkages, toolkits, job fairs and enterprise support is an added advantage 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 which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport or a national identity number is required. Indicate your current involvement in any outside activities, as it is required. Including but not limited to employment, independent contractor/freelance consultant, board member (corporate, academic, etc), expert group, lobby, public speaking/writing (article, book, blog, social media etc), teaching, conferences, training, press statement, voluntary work, political activity, fundraising/donation for non UNRWA entity, running for public office, role in political party or orgs, owning business, work for gov./NGO/private company/charity, UNRWA partner/vendor, full/part-time, paid or not. A "yes" answer doesn't necessarily lead to exclusion from future work at UNRWA, yet misrepresentation in providing accurate/complete info can lead to disqualification/termination of appointment, if hired. Experience with UN agencies, international NGOs or similar humanitarian and development organizations in addition to Familiarity with UN systems, rules, procedures and programme implementation modalities is desirable. Knowledge and understanding of the Palestine refugee situation and the political context of the Middle East in addition to Demonstrated knowledge of Arabic and strong skills in data tracking, reporting tools and Microsoft Office applications particularly Excel is desirable. Relevant professional training or certification in project management, livelihoods programming, cash-based assistance, enterprise development, monitoring and evaluation, or related fields is desirable.

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

Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2): (1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and (2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions. Type of Contract and duration: Temporary Appointment for 6 months. The incumbent will be required to travel within Syria and to field locations as required. 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. Advertisements published in English will only accept applications in English, other language submissions will not be considered. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender balance in its workforce. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 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. 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/

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.