Area Project Officer

UN Secretariat; Castilla y León; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

UNRWA in Spain seeks an Area Project Officer to manage the Early Recovery Livelihood project across the assigned area, identifying beneficiaries, coordinating grants, and supervising a small team.

Travel within the area is expected to support beneficiaries, ensuring inclusive implementation with a focus on gender, disability, protection, and safeguarding while maintaining strong internal and external contacts.

Qualifications

• University degree in Business Administration, Development Studies, Economics, Project Management, Livelihood, Microfinance, or related field.
• At least five years of relevant experience in project management, livelihoods, microfinance, or TVET activities at the community level.
• Minimum two years of staff supervision experience within development or humanitarian programs in governmental or non-governmental organizations.
• Languages required: English, Arabic, French.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the day‑to‑day ERL project activities and manage the project team, including supervisors and instructors.
• Identify eligible beneficiaries based on agreed criteria and disseminate project information.
• Review workplans, assess quality of screening, assessments, and mentoring activities.
• Manage grievance mechanisms and finalize beneficiary lists in coordination with camp-level committees.
• Support training workshops and ensure timely delivery of grants after MoU signing.
• Document and refer issues related to complaints, risks, and safeguarding; prepare monthly progress reports.
• Coordinate data collection and monitoring with M&E staff and ensure inclusive implementation across gender, disability, and safeguarding considerations.

Skills

Communication

People skills

Results-driven

Integrity

Professionalism

Diversity respect

Education

University degree in a relevant field

Job description

Organizational context: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is a UN agency established in 1949, mandated to assist and protect approximately 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees across the Middle East. With over 30,000 staff, it is the largest UN operation in the region, providing essential services including education, healthcare, and social services, funded primarily by voluntary contributions.

Job purpose: The Area Project Officer is responsible for the effective management and coordination of all area-based activities for the Early Recovery Livelihood (ERL) Project. This includes identifying beneficiaries, facilitating grant distribution, and supervising project staff. The role involves maintaining internal and external contacts, supporting selection committees, and ensuring project activities are implemented inclusively and accessibly, with a focus on gender, disability, protection, and safeguarding. The incumbent reports to the Chief Area Office and supervises a small team, requiring travel within the area to oversee project execution and support beneficiaries.

Responsibilities: Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of ERL project activities and manage the project team, including Business Development Officers, Relief Workers, TVET instructors, and vocational trainers. Identify eligible beneficiaries based on agreed criteria and disseminate project information. Supervise staff, review workplans, and ensure quality in application screening, assessments, and mentoring. Manage grievance systems and finalize beneficiary lists in coordination with camp-level committees. Support training workshops and ensure timely delivery of grants after MoU signing. Coordinate business mentoring visits and review progress against business plans. Document and refer issues related to complaints, risks, and safeguarding. Prepare monthly progress reports and coordinate data collection and monitoring with M&E staff. Ensure project implementation is inclusive and integrates gender, disability, protection, and safeguarding considerations.

Education: A university degree from an accredited institution in Business Administration, Development Studies, Economics, Project Management, Livelihood, Microfinance, or a related field is required.

Work experience: Requires at least five years of relevant experience in project management, livelihoods, microfinance, or TVET activities at the community level. This includes a minimum of two years of staff supervision experience within development or humanitarian programs in governmental or non-governmental organizations.

Skills: Communication, Working with People, Drive for Results, Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity.

Required languages: English, Arabic, French

Desired languages: