Senior Community Services Assistant – G5 – Hr356 - Tripoli

UNHCR is mandated to provide protection and assistance for refugees. In the Lebanese context, its mandate function is directly discharged by the organization, as the Government of Lebanon is not a party of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol. UNHCR provides various forms of assistance to support refugees during their temporary stay in Lebanon. This includes education, health and other forms of social support.  The Senior Community Services Assistant is part of the Community Services Unit SO Tripoli, which is an integral part of the Protection team. The incumbent reports to the Head of Unit. The Community Services role, broadly described, is to act as a critical interface between UNHCR and communities of concern, providing an AGD sensitive analysis of community risks and capacities that form the essential foundations to all UNHCR work in Lebanon. Under the supervision of the Associate Community Services Officer, in close collaboration with the Protection and Field unit and in coordination with other UNHCR staff, government, NGO partners and other stakeholders, Community Services staff work directly with communities to leverage their capacities for community based protection. The focus of this post is in particular on the community mobilisation and individual case management. To fulfil this role, the Senior Community Services assistant, and all Community Services staff, are required to spend a substantial percentage of their time working outside of the office, in the 6 districts under the purview of SO Tripoli, building and maintaining networks within communities of persons of concern. Accountability (key results that will be achieved)   Conduct individual counseling to refugees and refer them to available and appropriate social support/care and ensure follow-up as based on the genuine needs of the refugees seeking UNHCR assistance and to the guidelines and procedures agreed with the agencies concerned. Refer cases of persons with specific needs for case management and follow up with relevant case workers. Ensure quality and ethical referrals for all cases referred as well as coordinate with the service provider for systematic feedback.   Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results)   Assist functional units, the Multi-Functional Team (MFT) and senior management to integrate participatory and community-based approaches in the overall protection delivery strategy and operational procedures. Assist in conducting and supporting participatory assessments by multifunctional teams and on-going consultations with persons of concern. Support field offices in the establishment and management of community centers together with NGO partners, ensuring the participation of women and diverse groups and linkages of refugee committees in those centers. Contribute to the regular reporting requirements on community services related issues. Perform any other task requested by the supervisor. Work closely with staff from Ministry of Social Affairs’ Social Development Centers ensuring coordination on activities related to assistance and support to refugees.     Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results) Assist in building the capacity of UNHCR, government and NGO partners, as well as refugees, for community-based protection through training and establishing systems for community mobilization and participation of persons of concern. Place special attention to persons with specific needs. Ensure that instances of counseling and/or referral of individuals are duly recorded in existing database systems and reports are drafted.