TERMS OF REFERENCE

Junior Professional Officers (JPO)

Please indicate if this ToR supersedes a previously submitted ToR: No

I. General Information: Title: Associate Gender Affairs Officer

Sector of Assignment: Gender, Protection and Neutrality, UNRWA Jordan

Country: Jordan

Location (city): Amman

Agency: The Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)

II. Supervision: Name of Supervisor: Cynthia Cline

Title of Supervisor: Team Leader, Protection and Neutrality Unit

Content and methodology of supervision: Under the supervision of the Team Leader Protection and Neutrality the Associate Gender Affairs Officer will assist in issues relating to and women's participation in UNRWA field of operations in Jordan. On occasion the Associate Gender Affairs Officer will be requested to refer to the Gender Section and Protection Division at UNRWA Headquarters for technical guidance and support.

III. Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations: In accordance with established Agency Policy and Procedures the Associate Gender Affairs Officer primary function is to provide technical and administrative support to achieve equality between women and men as colleagues, partners and beneficiaries of development, , humanitarian action and peace and security within the UNRWA Jordan Field of Operations.

The Associate Gender Affairs Officer will support the Protection and Neutrality Unit with all tasks necessary for appropriate implementation of relevant programme activities and actions. In particular, the Associate Gender Affairs Officer takes a lead role in the planning, coordinating, and facilitating of gender equality and activities and actions. The main functional responsibilities are as following:

Duty Percentage 1. Carry out a gender analysis and collation of information on gender equality 25% issues, including collecting, analysing and presenting statistical data and other information gathered from all programmes and operational units such that UNRWA Jordan has a mapping of the specific gender mainstreaming needs of men, women, boys and girls, and these are then developed into a field wide action plan, to translate existing policies and mandates on the promotion of gender equality in all activities of UNRWA Jordan, and support delivery of appropriate training of different levels of personnel where required, to facilitate implementation of the plan.

2. Coordinate and mainstream gender awareness activities with the Chiefs and 25% other Senior Managers and their designated gender focal to monitor implementation. To this end the Associate Gender Affairs Officer may provide advice on gender perspectives in all aspects of the department business, using own resources or outside expertise; and collaborate with departments to assure they lead on strengthening gender equality across all operations.

3. Facilitate and actively support knowledge building, sharing and applying in 25% UNRWA Jordan, including encouraging gender priorities are reflected in the selection of topics for special events; flags gender issues at senior staff meetings, contributing to the discussion from a gender perspective; coordinates with the UNRWA taskforce on gender, ensuring coherence of established processes, and policy implementation; supports all necessary communication, and translation tasks and facilitate meetings, networking and advocacy actions as requested by the Protection and Neutrality Unit.

4. Outreach to build relations with the HQ Gender Section, counterparts in 20% other UNRWA offices, and partnerships among the inter-agency community – UN, NGOs, other partners including the private sector – in order to advance gender equality and its mainstreaming within the Jordan operations; including UN Women, UNICEF and UNDP in particular in the areas of women’s participation.

5. Perform other relevant duties as required and requested by the supervisor. 5%

IV. Qualifications and Experience: Education (only Master’s degree or equivalent):

Advanced University (Masters Degree or equivalent) in gender studies, business administration, law, social science, or any other related field with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience;

Desirable Work Experience: Relevant experience in gender mainstreaming or gender analysis

Key Competencies of the assignment:

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Creativity, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Self-Management, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams

- A high level of written and verbal communication skills, ability to present information and data clearly and concisely;

- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a multicultural team environment;

- Strong analytical and evaluation skills combined with good judgment, including ability to apply knowledge and practice to strategic, policy and operational objectives;

- Highly developed negotiation skills, with ability to positively influence others to reach a mutually beneficial understanding;

- Experience in gender equality and gender mainstreaming in development and humanitarian context;

- Project management skills desirable.

- Excellent command of written and spoken English. Ability to speak and/or read Arabic is desirable.

V. Learning Expectations: Upon completion of the assignment, the JPO will have / be able to… Under the daily supervision of the Team Leader, Protection and Neutrality Unit, the Associate Gender Affairs Officer will obtain substantial, broad and practical experience which will enhance her or his prospects for pursuing his or her career in the area of gender equality and women’s empowerment and the broader sector of protection.

In particular, the Associate Gender Affairs Officer will be exposed to the dynamic pace of a UN field operation, in the cultural and political context of the Middle East, with highly relevant, practical experience in the following areas:

(i) Gender equality and the advancement of women; gender mainstreaming;

(ii) Coordination and working with others; and

(iii) Building capacity and reflecting on learning.

Finally, the Associate Gender Affairs Officer will be exposed to UNRWA's operations in the Jordan field with opportunities to visit UNRWA installations, including Palestine refugee camps.

VI. Background Information: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with some 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.

The mandate of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. In line with this, the Agency works towards five strategic outcomes: (a) Palestine refugee rights under international law are protected and promoted; (b) Palestine refugee health is protected and disease burden is reduced; (c) school-age children complete quality, equitable and inclusive basic education; (d) Palestine refugee capabilities are strengthened for increased livelihood opportunities; and (e) Palestine refugees are able to meet their basic human needs of food, shelter and environmental health.

UNRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection and microfinance. In Jordan, UNRWA provides assistance and protection to around 2.4 million Palestine refugees from Jordan, 17,500 Palestine refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria and displaced people from Gaza and West Bank. UNRWA Jordan Field Office has been proactively responding to the COVID-19 crisis in addition to continuing provision of our mandated services to the refugee populations.

UNRWA Jordan Field Office employs some 6,800 staff. Approximately 5,000 staff work in Education programme, over 700 in Health, over 250 in infrastructure and camp improvement and around 125 in Relief and Social Services. Approximately 250 staff work in the Jordan Field Office in Amman, including 13 International staff members. Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, UNRWA Jordan Field Office (JFO) has been proactively responding to the crisis in addition to continuing provision of the Agency's mandated services to the refugee populations.

VII. Information About Living Conditions at the Duty Station:  Location: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is strategically located in the Middle East covering a diversity of landscapes. Bound by Syria to the north, Iraq to the northeast, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, the Red Sea to the south and Israel and the Palestinian National Authority to the west. . Weather: The weather in Jordan is not too extreme. Summer is dry, with temperatures regularly reaching 35 degrees centigrade. The winter is colder with temperatures often dropping to freezing point. Amman is hot and sunny from May to October with cool, pleasant evenings, whereas winters are rainy with occasional short snowfalls. . Safety and Security: Jordan is a relatively stable country. The potentials for internal or external armed conflict are considered very unlikely in the current political environment. Peaceful demonstrations, and sometimes road blockages, do occur in Jordan motivated by domestic factors such as unemployment, deprivation of resources and development or for regional issues such as solidarity with the Palestinian cause or with the Syrian crises. Most of these events are driven by civil society unions and Islamic parties. Domestic tribal civil unrest sometimes turning violent especially outside the main cities due to tribal dispute or socio-economic reasons. In all occasions law enforcement agencies usually manage to contain the situation. Road traffic accidents are the primary threat against UN personnel in Jordan. Poor road conditions and bad driving behaviours are the main reasons for the high rate for traffic accidents. . Amman is a category A duty station with security level 1. . Transportation: Taxis are abundant and readily available in Amman. Public minibuses are the most common form of public transport. They normally only leave when full, so waiting times of an hour or more are inevitable, especially in rural areas. The larger air-con buses offer a speedy and reliable service, departing according to a fixed schedule. . Health Services: Medical facilities are generally very good, particularly in Amman where there are several modern, well-equipped public and private hospitals. Almost all doctors (and most pharmacists) speak English; many have studied abroad. . Language: The official language of Jordan is Arabic, but English is widely spoken – especially in the cities. Many Jordanians have travelled or have been educated abroad so French, German, Italian and Spanish are also spoken, but to a lesser extent. . Jordan is a unique country and UNRWA is a unique humanitarian operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Approved by:

Name: Marta Lorenzo

Title: Director of UNRWA Affairs, Jordan

Duty Station: Amman, Jordan

Agency / Unit: UNRWA/ Front Office

Submitted by: Name: Sallee Gregory

Title: Deputy Director UNRWA Affairs, Jordan (Programme)

Duty Station: JFO Amman / Jordan

Agency / Unit: UNRWA/ Front Office

Date of Submission: 30/November/2020