Research Associate Job at UNRWA in Amman

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is inviting applications for the position of Research Associate to join its Relief and Social Services Department in Amman, Jordan.

The successful candidate will contribute to the Camp Origins Project, an initiative aimed at documenting the history of the establishment of officially recognized Palestine refugee camps across UNRWA's five fields of operation.

The Research Associate will be responsible for conducting archival research, analysing historical records, and preparing accurate, evidence-based research files while ensuring high standards of documentation and compliance with legal review requirements. This opportunity is ideal for professionals with backgrounds in history, archival studies, social sciences, or information management who are interested in contributing to an internationally recognized humanitarian organization.

Benefits

The Research Associate will be responsible for:

• Conducting specialised archival research on the history of the establishment of Palestine refugee camps.
• Developing and implementing effective research strategies within UNRWA's digital archives using historical names and alternative linguistic references.
• Collecting and organising relevant historical records, including agreements, maps, population records, administrative reports, and official correspondence.
• Assessing the relevance of archival materials and distinguishing documents related to the establishment of refugee camps from subsequent operational records.
• Preparing accurate historical profiles for each camp, supported by properly documented references and evidence.
• Documenting research findings, including unsuccessful searches, while maintaining comprehensive and accurate research records.
• Contributing to historical analyses and comparative studies across different project periods.
• Preparing documents for legal review and applying redactions where required.
• Producing regular progress reports and ensuring the quality of research outputs.
• Performing any other related duties assigned by the supervisor.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Education

• Hold a master's degree or equivalent in one of the following fields:
  • History
  • Archival Studies
  • Library and Information Science
  • Information Management
  • Middle Eastern Studies
  • Political Science
  • Social Sciences
  • Or another related discipline
• Applicants with a bachelor's degree may be considered if they have two additional years of relevant professional experience in place of a master's degree.

Professional Experience

• Have at least two years of experience conducting research using primary sources or archival collections.
• Have a minimum of one year of international work experience outside their country of nationality or permanent residence.
• Demonstrate experience in preparing evidence-based analytical reports or research studies supported by properly documented references.
• Possess excellent English report-writing skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and well-structured documents.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in:

• Digital archives and document management systems.
• Legal document review and document redaction processes.
• The history of Palestine refugees or the modern history of the Middle East.
• Working within the United Nations system or other international organizations.

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