Liaison Officer

Introduction about MSF:

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people in 70 countries who are affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation and our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.

We offer basic healthcare, perform surgery, fight epidemics, rehabilitate and run hospitals and clinics, carry out vaccination campaigns, operate nutrition centers, and provide mental healthcare. Our activities include the treatment of injuries and disease, maternal care and the provision of humanitarian aid. Where necessary, we set up sanitation systems, supply safe drinking water, and distribute relief to assist survival.

Main Objective of the position: The liaison officer will be supporting the Project Coordinator in the administrative, security, networking and representation part of Operations department, ensuring a smooth relation with local and national authorities, contributing to the context monitoring and follow-up, not only at project level but national. They will be focusing on networking, building and maintaining the relationship in the Palestinian camps and the communities.

Context Specific Accountabilities:

• Support building strong networks with relevant local and national stakeholders among the Palestinian camps with a focus on Burj Al Barajneh but also other camps in Beirut region. Establish networking and map key stakeholders keeping neutrality and impartiality. • Liaise with other Liaison officers in the mission to understand context and its evolution at camps’ level.

• Establish and maintain professional contacts with relevant Camp authorities, depending on the context and the needs of the project. Reporting of the outcomes.

• Ensure that no illegal money is paid to any authorities or any individual, promoting and sharing MSF principles and values at all levels. Keep transparency, neutrality and impartiality in our commitments and agreements with the communities and their representatives.

• Develop and continuously update a stakeholder analysis relevant to MSF’s operational areas including all the communities based on camps.

• Monitorthe security and humanitarian environment and reports the needs to the Project Coordinator.

• Bring relevant inputs in terms of Advocacy for the areas of operations, focused in Palestinian camps.

• Support MSF in exploratory missions in Palestinian camps and gatherings and any other relevant to the project; based on the needs and as indicated by the Project Coordinator, this can be in any of the 12 Camps in the country but with a focus on Burj Al Barajneh and other camps in Beirut.

• Support security procedures and its implementation in collaboration with the logistic team at camp level according to the context and the activities.

• Support any procedure/permission/authorisation process that might required for accessing Palestinian camps.

• Keep update the context and security situation of the camps.

• Representation of the Ops department at camp level.

• Together with the Project coordinator, ensure that staff obtains permissions or possible needed authorisations to enter camp or areas relevant for the project.

• Know all the procedures that MSF needs to follow in order to introduce goods (as medical supplies) inside the camps where MSF has operations and activities. Facilitate those procedures as well. Clear cargos and medical supplies.

• Arrange meetings related to administrative issues for the Ops and Medical department with the concerning authorities in the camp. • Keep a complete and updated detailed list of all useful contacts and stakeholders in the Palestinian camps.

• Inform PC if medical activities in the areas of operations are in line with stakeholders and collaborators.

• Performing assigned additional responsibilities or tasks as required by the Project Coordinator

Requirements:

Education:

Secondary education essential. Administration or communication related studies desirable.

Experience:

- Desirable previous experience of at least one year in related relevant positions, in MSF or other NGOs.

- Essential experience working in Palestinian camps.

- Desirable experience working with UNRWA and camp authorities and familiarity with camp governance and structure.

Languages: Arabic language is essential. A good knowledge of the English language is desirable.

Knowledge:

- Extensive Knowledge of the Palestinian refugee context in Lebanon and the region.

- Strong communication, and social skills (active listening, open attitude, empathy, sensitivity).

- High level of knowledge of local culture and customs.

- Computer literacy is an added value (word, excel and internet) Competencies: Commitment to MSF’s Principles , Behavioural Flexibility, Stress Management, Results and Quality Orientation, Service Orientation, Teamwork and Cooperation