Student Advisor, World Learning, DAFI Project

Student Advisor

UNHCR’s tertiary education scholarship programme DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative), supports Syrian refugee students in Lebanon in accessing university studies. The primary objective of the DAFI Programme is to contribute to the promotion of self-reliance of these refugee men and women by providing them with a professional qualification geared towards future gainful employment. The Programme aims to encourage the development of qualified human resources for the future reconstruction of refugees' home countries upon repatriation, thereby supporting greater peace and stability in the region. Higher education contributes to durable solutions and post-conflict reconstruction, promotes social, economic and gender equity and provides hope and empowerment to refugee communities. The Programme, implemented by World Learning Lebanon, will ensure smooth operations of day-to-day activities related to the management of the DAFI Programme, provision of support to students, as well as close coordination with key actors in the education and university

Responsibilities

The student advisor reports to the Program Coordinator

• Ensure periodic contact with students
• Develop periodic reports as per the project requirements
• Track and ensure students are receiving monthly allowances and work with the Finance Manager and Program Coordinator to resolve issues related to students’ access to cash allowances
• Distribute stipends as needed during activities
• Manage the challenges and needs of every student they oversee with support from the project team
• Work directly with university officials and providers in each geographic zone. All Advisors will coordinate the development and application of policies and procedures for campuses with the Program Coordinator
• Implement the Learner Early Warning System developed by the project, in coordination with the program coordinator
• Review transcripts every semester to verify academic progress towards graduation and connect students to the appropriate university support links and/or UNHCR and provide additional student specific support such as psycho-social support or individual coaching as needed
• Support existing DAFI student clubs as well as implement other student engagement and support systems such as academic interest groups, mentoring, or other that the project will develop on campuses across all geographic areas.
• Support the expansion and use of existing or new digital communication spaces for the students
• Engage in and support recruitment and outreach in their designated geographic area

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, social sciences or any related field 
• Ability to work in a sensitive environment with vulnerable communities
• A minimum of 5 years experience in similar projects with an emphasis on protection 
• Ability to work across various teams with excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build consensus and navigate complex operating environments, including demonstrated experience organizing  community engagement activities
• Strong analytical and computer skills, with an emphasis on protection
• Demonstrated understanding of United Nations regulations, and reporting requirements; experience with UNHCR preferred
• Experience with programs funded by UNHCR or other UN agencies desirable
• Excellent communication and diplomatic skills, with a professional level of verbal and written fluency in Arabic and English
• Commitment to inclusive programming that encourages full participation of individuals regardless of gender, disability status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or other marginalized status

World Learning is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action/veterans/ADA employer, committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.