JO# 16474 – Associate Programme officer – NOB - UNHCR FTA Contract – PN 10005283 – Beirut, Lebanon

Eight years into the Syria crisis, Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with nearly 950,000  Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR, about 20,000 refugees of other origins - mostly Iraqi - and Palestine refugees under UNRWA’s mandate.  There are no formal camps for Syrian refugees in Lebanon, and refugees are living in hundreds of communities and locations across the country.

The refugee response is led by the Government and UNHCR and UNDP, supported by the international community. As the designated lead agency in the refugee response, UNHCR has established a sector-based structure in Beirut and in the field. The structure brings together over 150 UN agencies, national and international NGO partners [over 150 actors, including UN agencies, national and international NGOs and Ministries] in identifying and agreeing on the strategic priorities to address the needs of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese communities. The Lebanon Chapter of the Response Plan falls under the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP), whereby UNHCR guides the refugee response and UNDP facilitates the resilience and stabilization component.

The UNHCR operational response in Lebanon is one of the largest for the organization. Media attention and the frequency of influential high-profile visitors is high. The Office has grown substantially in the past years and is currently operating with around 650 staff. Aside from the country office in the capital city of Beirut, UNHCR has field offices in Mount Lebanon, Qobayat, Tripoli, Tyre and Zahle.

The incumbent receives guidance and reports to the Senior Programme Officer. He/she is expected to supervise some programme staff.  The incumbent should have a strong expertise on UNHCR’s programme policies, rules and standards, with relevant experience on project and solid financial management. S/he should possess a demonstrated technical capacity on FOCUS and MSRP.  S/he is expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed to the country by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.

UNHCR in Lebanon works with a number operational and implementing partners in meeting the needs of persons of concerns.  UNHCR has adopted many innovative approaches and reforms involving partners all aimed at enhancing financial accountability, efficiencies and managing for results.  UNHCR Lebanon Operation is decentralized, therefore Associate Programme Officer will play an important role in engaging with field-based programme teams to provide support and guidance to them on routine matters to support coherent approaches to programming across the operation.

Externally, the incumbent will work with different national and international NGOs in addition to coordinating and working with different sectors experts and internal units within UNHCR, thus good communication and people skills are required. The person must have a demonstrated record of providing timely and appropriate technical advice on project management, assessment and implementation.  Moreover, he/she should have a firm understanding and sound expertise in coordination and monitoring. Understanding of CBI interventions and/or experience is an advantage.

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

• The needs of persons of concern in the country are assessed and analysed in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for planning.
• IP agreements are established in a timely manner, regularly monitored and reported on in compliance with established guidelines and procedures.

Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results)

• Through a consultative process within the country and field visits, stay involved in the development of the strategies, methodologies, contingency plans that respond to new and emerging operational challenges for the country.
• Assist in ensuring that global strategic priorities (GSP) and regional priorities as well as information on projected resource availability guide the planning parameters.
• Provide inputs for developing the country operations plan in compliance with global strategic priorities and regional priorities as well as with annual programming/planning instructions.
• Assist in organizing a consultative process to ensure a consistent application of the organization’s criteria and policies for the selection of implementing and operational partners.
• Assist in managing the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities.
• Assist in training UNHCR as well as implementing partners (IP) staff in UNHCR standard procedures related to the Results Based Programme management.
• Undertake proper collection, monitoring and use of baselines, standards and indicators needed to measure and analyze UNHCR’s performance, trends and target interventions.
• Undertake field visits to evaluate and improve the planning, programming, implementation and monitoring of assistance projects.
• Assist in implementing the establishment of sound monitoring processes, in reviewing final reports and on progress in order to advise on any corrective actions required or the need for additional resources to reach planned target levels.
• Apply UNHCR’s corporate tools (e.g. Global Focus, Focus Client) to record data and assess the technical soundness of the operation and generate data for evidence-based decisions at the country-level.
• Assist in keeping donor representatives briefed on developments and assist in the development of funding submissions, appeals and reports.
• Assist in monitoring compliance to the organization’s resource allocation framework, providing support and taking corrective action where required.
• Assist in ensuring compliance in issuance of audit certificates for Implementing Partners.
• Monitor the implementation of IP Risk Management techniques and tools.
• Perform other duties as required.

Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results)

• Provide inputs for the country operations plan (including budgets, staffing levels and structures) as well as prepare inputs for funding submissions, appeals and reports.
• Represent UNHCR in UN and other fora on programme and technical issues as delegated by programme senior management.
• Enforce compliance with UNHCR’s global strategies, protocols and guidelines.