Receptionist (Replacement Capacity) (4 month contract) - TYR021 - UNOPS - G3 - Tyr, Lebanon

Seven years into the Syria crisis, Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with over one million Syrian refugees, and around 20,000 refugees of Iraqi, Sudanese, Ethiopian and other origins, in addition to the Palestine refugees under UNRWA’s mandate.  There are no formal camps for Syrian refugees in the country, and refugees are living in hundreds of communities and locations across the country.

The refugee response is led by the Government and local actors, 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 100 UN agencies, national and international NGO partners in identifying and agreeing on the strategic priorities to address the needs of Syrian refugees and other affected populations. The Lebanon national response 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. Aside from the country office in the capital city of Beirut, UNHCR has offices in Mt Lebanon, Qobayat, Tripoli, Tyre and Zahle.

The reception clerk is a member of the reception team within the registration unit, in the protection section. S/he will be responsible for the entry and reception persons of concerns into UNHCR premises, with a focus on identifying vulnerable individuals for fast-tracking to the reception desks.  

S/he will liaise directly with the Senior Registration staff and security team in identifying persons who may pose a security risk to the office for proper follow-up. S/he will also assist with the circulation of physical files and other office correspondence between registration/reception and other units. 

• Receive and counsel asylum-seekers and refugees in accordance with UNHCR policies and standards;
• Identify vulnerable asylum-seekers and refugees and refer to the relevant unit/partner;
• Manage expectations of asylum-seekers and refugees.   
• Identify persons of concern and organize their entry into UNHCR premises; 
• Identify and fast-track persons with specific protection needs;  
• Coordinate with the security team on the management of orderly entry into the building, and reporting security incidents where applicable; 
• Counsel refugees and asylum-seekers, providing them with information at reception and in waiting areas, including assistance with the completion of application forms; 
• Assist with creating, organizing, maintaining physical files, including photocopying of documentation prior to registration interviews; 
• Ensure timely and efficient circulation of physical files and other correspondence between the reception/registration unit and other functional units; 
• Schedule appointments for refugees, through the hotline or in person 
• Any other duty as may be required.