Liaison Officer - South Beirut

Main Purpose

Give support to the Project Coordination team to ensure safe and knowledgeable understanding of the area of operations, through continuous networking and situation monitoring, as well as obtaining official access permits, according to local and international laws and MSF procedures, to ensure the smooth running of MSF activities. The Liaison Officer will serve as the primary point of contact between the NGO and external stakeholders, local authorities, Parties, government agencies, and communities. The role aims to foster strong relationships and ensure smooth communication and collaboration to support the NGO’s programs and objectives.

Accountabilities

• Strong understanding of local and national government structures and procedures.

• Together with the Project Coordinator, monitors the regional security situation for the Project areas of activity, to ensure a safe and informed working environment.
• Liaises with local actors and stakeholders (official authorities, factions, local and international organisations, population, and beneficiaries) in South Beirut and Palestinian camps.
• Ensures that all MSF staff has applied and obtained on time any permits for accessing sensitive areas according to needs, and keep information on legal, administrative procedures.
• Maintains the support departments informed about ongoing processes, specific situations or changes in the procedures related to permits, regulations, etc..
• Knows all the procedures that MSF needs to follow to move around, access populations in need, provide and deliver aid and distribution, in cooperation with the Medical, Log, Finance, Administrative and HR departments.
• In close collaboration with Log/Supply department, follows up clearances for MSF donations and distributions, and informs about any possible planned or extraordinary needs.
• Establishes and maintains professional contacts with relevant authorities and stakeholders, depending on the context and the needs of the Project.
• Arranges meetings related to operations for the PC or the PMR as well as attends them when necessary.
• Provides Project Coordinator with a complete and updated detailed list of all useful contacts in the Project area with names, telephones, addresses and other relevant details.
• Supports Project Coordinator in the updates of the Security Logbook / Geomap.
• Ensures, together with the Project Management Team members that all MSF activities are running lawfully and safely in all operational related issues and informs about any possible risks or problems.
• Good knowledge about South governorates (Palestinian camps) demographics, community dynamics.

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

Liaison work

• Establishes an effective communication system with the different stakeholders present in South Lebanon (Community leaders, camp committees, and Palestinian faction structures) under the supervision of the Project Coordinator and according to instructions from PC.
• Facilitates the meetings of MSF staff with authorities, institutions, organizations, factions’ representatives, and informal stakeholders.
• Together with Project Coordinator, develops and updates a mapping of local & international NGOs/civil society.
• Centralizes, organizes timely requests for accessing sensitive areas (Palestinian camps, Red zone, etc.), liaising with Coordination, LAF, Intelligence services for obtaining the necessary documents and validations
• Maintain proactive, constant contact with local population and actors in all areas of activities (especially MMUs), provides regular updates to Project Coordinator on the matter.

Security and humanitarian context follow-up

• Reports to Project Coordinator / log manager on any security concerns and advises/consults on decision making.
• Feeds on the Team Security group on any relevant Security related alerts and advisory
• Researches and collects any useful information and data relating to the context that are relevant for the strategic development and positioning of MSF in South Beirut.
• Track political, security, and social developments in South Beirut that may affect MSF activities with the PC and Log manager.
• Document all incidents, challenges, or sensitive exchanges in a structured and confidential manner and report daily / weekly.
• On request of Project Coordinator, liaises with security/intelligence services.
• On request of Project Coordinator, provides inputs for Project security and context documents, advises on protocols.

Miscellaneous

• Feeds Contact list of external contacts and stakeholders.
• Monitor any constraints affecting PHCs, municipalities, camps, or communities.
• Support field teams by maintaining communication channels with PHCs, municipalities, camp committees, and community focal points.
• If required and after technical validation, may drive MSF vehicle for professional purposes, when Driver is not available or desirable

Requirements

Education

Ability to write reports and security updates either in English or Arabic. Good computer skills. Familiar with Microsoft package and emails. Excellent knowledge in the context, demography, and the communal dynamics.

Experience

Essential previous experience of at least 3 years in related relevant positions, in MSF or other NGOs.

Competencies

Excellent communication skills (verbal, written)

Fluent in Arabic. English is a strong asset

Computer literacy desirable (word, excel)

Autonomy, flexibility, problem-solving mindset

Ethical and humanitarian oriented