Selection Process
lebanon field office
Application > Screening > Outcome & Approval
UNRWA is committed to delivering results for Palestine Refugees in
Lebanon. By means of a competitive selection process, and with a
commitment to gender balance and applicants from the local Palestinian
community, we select staff who exhibit the highest standard of technical
expertise, competence and commitment. UNRWA is committed to
diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified
female and male candidates from all backgrounds, including persons
living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.
Application Process
1. Visit the vacancies page and search for relevant positions that you are
qualified for.
 Review the functional area, staff category, staff level, and contract type
being offered to determine if it is a good fit.
 Take note of the application deadline date and time to make sure you
submit the application on time. Late applications will not be considered.
2. Apply to the relevant position by clicking on the "apply" button found
within the vacancy announcement page. You do not need to complete the
application in one session. You can save your application and return to your
profile by logging in again.
 For an overview on how to fill up the online application form, view this
video.
 When completing your application form, please provide accurate and
sufficient information to enable recruiters to evaluate your eligibility and
suitability for the specific position. Make sure you update your resume
and attach a cover letter outlining your motivation for the specific
position. Any change to the application details will not be considered
after the application deadline.
 Please use English as an application language and make sure you
provide an up-to-date email and phone number. Communication with
candidates during the recruitment process is done through the provided
e-mail address only.
3. Submit your application. A confirmation email will be sent to the email
address on record confirming if the application has been received.
Screening Process
Upon closing of the application deadline, the human resources and hiring
office review all profiles to ascertain the candidates' eligibility and suitability
for the position, following the minimum requirements stipulated in the
vacancy announcement. Candidates with an equivalent combination of
relevant academic qualifications, professional training and progressive work
October 2018 | v 2.0
experience may also be considered. If necessary, the human resources and
hiring office may consider additional criteria in order to further reduce the
number of candidates in the shortlist. Based on this analysis, the hiring office
retains a few candidates and uses a number of assessment tools, including
tests and (competency-based) interviews to arrive at a recommendation.
Tests: The tests will assess the competencies and skills that are expected of
the successful candidates and will typically focus on the technical
competencies, including computer skills described in the vacancy. You will be
advised on the format of the test, which usually takes place in the UNRWA
facilities.
Interview: If you are successful at this stage you may receive an invitation for
an interview, which usually takes place in the UNRWA facilities. Normally we
invite the top five ranked candidates for one vacancy. Interviews follow the
competency-based format; in which you are asked to describe relevant
concrete examples drawn from your personal work experience depicting
UNRWA’s competencies. Interviews may also include motivational questions,
as well technical questions and presentations.
Throughout the selection process for the senior posts (grade 16 and above)
special measures related to the HR Gender Action Plan apply: (i) at least 20%
of applicants are qualified female; (ii) all qualified female candidates are
shortlisted; (iii) at least two female candidates who passed the test are invited
for interview; (iv) if male and female candidates have comparable scores,
female candidate will be selected.
The final recommendation of the selected applicants will be guided by
UNRWA’s competency framework and competences assessment in the
interview. Part of the framework are Core values that should be held by all
UNRWA staff. Competencies are sets of behaviors that are essential for the
delivery of results for UNRWA. Please refer to the vacancy announcement to
learn about the required competencies for a specific position. For more
details, download the UNRWA Competency Framework document. The UN
Careers website offers helpful advice on how to prepare for Competency
Based Interviews.
Outcome and Approval
The recommendation is then reviewed to ensure that selection principles of
fairness and transparency are adhered to. All applicants will receive an email
by the hiring office informing them about the outcome of the selection
process and provide the opportunity for candidate feedback. The length of the
selection process varies depending on the hiring office’s priorities and type of
the appointment, normally between one to four months. UNRWA will
endeavor to inform candidates of the status of their applications as quickly as
possible.
Please note that UNRWA does not charge a fee at any stage of the
recruitment. Questions related to the recruitment process and its outcome
are to be addressed to Human Resources Department (HRD) by e-mail at
recruitmentquestions@unrwa.org within 48 hours of recurving the written
information about the outcome of any of the recruitment phases. If the
response by HRD is not satisfactory, applicants can address their questions
directly to the Field Director’s Office through the Grievance Officer, or to the
Agency’s Ethics Office in Headquarters, Amman. 