Chief Protection Division

Client of United Nation careers

Plans, 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.

Competencies

UN 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