Icla Information Field Assistant

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent, international humanitarian nongovernmental organisation which provides assistance and protection to refugees and internally displaced persons in over twenty countries worldwide. NRC has been working in Lebanon since 2006, initially assisting displaced Lebanese. In early March 2012, NRC commenced its Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance ICLA (ICLA) programme in Lebanon, with a focus on assisting refugees and displaced persons to understand and enjoy their rights. Initially providing assistance to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon (Palestinian Response), since May 2012 ICLA has also been implementing a programme throughout Lebanon targeting those affected by displacement from Syria. Under its Syrian response, NRC currently works through seven community centres around Lebanon (two in the North, three in the Bekaa, one in the South and one in Mount Lebanon), as well as through extensive outreach. In the Bekaa, NRC provides information, counselling and legal assistance to people who are affected by displacement as a result of the crisis in Syria; develops understanding of the protection and legal issues affecting the target communities, and, in coordination with other actors, identifies ways to address them. JOB PURPOSE The Information Field Assistant is responsible for providing quality information and counselling to beneficiaries and, through this work, developing better understanding of the protection situation for the target communities. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Project Implementation and Management Assist the Information Field Officer in developing materials to be used in ICLA field activities; Services Mapping: Assist in gathering information on activities being implemented by other humanitarian actors in Central and West Bekaa Information and Counselling Services: Provide inputs to the Senior Information Field Officer on technical issues and questions that arise during the course of information and counselling activities; Provide information and counselling to beneficiaries on how to access basic services through individual and group information sessions conducted in the community centre and through outreach, in accordance with ICLA structure and guidance, agreed workplans, and under the direction of the Information Field Officer; Assist in provide information and counselling to beneficiaries on legal issues (currently NRC's legal focus is on legal status and documentation, including birth registration, and Housing, Land and Property rights), in accordance with ICLA structure and guidance, and agreed workplans; Legal Assistance: In close liaison with the Legal Field Officer (and / or legal focal points, as relevant), assist in arranging appointments with ICLA lawyers and appropriately manage ICLA's legal assistance cases, in accordance with ICLA structure, guidelines and principles. Project Cycle Management Needs Assessment: Provide inputs to the Senior Information Field Officer on information, legal and protection needs of target communities that are identified during the course of information and counselling activities; Project Planning: Assist the Information Field Officer in developing monthly and weekly activity plans for ICLA in Central and West Bekaa, in accordance with NRC project commitments; Monitoring and Evaluation: Consistently use agreed templates and  tools to document ICLA's activities in the field; Undertake monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure the satisfactory progress, quality, efficiency and accountability of ICLA's activities in Central and West Bekaa, in accordance with the agreed monitoring and evaluation plan for Central and West Bekaa; Reporting: Draft regular reports on ICLA activities in Central and West Bekaa, providing clear, concise and accurate updates on ICLA's activities and on gaps, challenges and opportunities and suggestions as how to respond to them. in accordance with ICLA reporting templates and guidance, submitting them to the Senior Information Field Officer for review in a timely manner. Coordination ICLA: Build and maintain positive and effective relationships with all ICLA colleagues in Central and West Bekaa through regular and effective communication; Contribute ideas and enthusiasm towards ensuring a positive morale and professional satisfaction amongst the ICLA team in Central and West Bekaa; As requested, participate in meetings with other members of the ICLA programme in Lebanon; Participate in team meetings with the ICLA team in Central and West Bekaa, exchanging information and discussing ICLA's response to challenges and identifying lessons learned NRC: Build and maintain positive and effective relationships with colleagues in other core competencies (programmes) and departments, and, as relevant, find ways of collaborating to further enhance the effectiveness of NRC activities in Central and West Bekaa; Develop an understanding of the strategic objectives, methods and activities of ICLA elsewhere in Lebanon, and of other NRC core competencies (programmes) and be able to present these to others within ICLA or amongst other audiences, as applicable; Other Humanitarian Actors: Liaise on a working-level with other humanitarian actors in order to coordinate activities and exchange information, in close liaison with the Senior Information Field Officer and ICLA Field Coordinator; Assist in following established referral pathways and procedures in Central and West Bekaa; Host Communities and Beneficiaries Assist in maintaining positive relationships with focal points in host and beneficiary communities through timely and clear sharing of information; Work cooperatively with the beneficiaries and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen the project. Context and Needs Assessments Assist the Assessments team in preparing for and conducting stand-alone assessments in Central and West Bekaa. Strategy Responsible for developing his / her understanding of the strategy of the ICLA programme in Central and West Bekaa, under the guidance of the ICLA Field Coordinator. Technical Quality and Consistency Be receptive to technical advice from ICLA Management; Provide inputs to the Senior Information Field Officer on technical issues and questions which arise during the conduct of ICLA activities in the field. Protection Responsible for ensuring that he / she understands and applies protection principles and NRC guidance to daily activities. Operations and Administration Undertake routine administrative tasks, as requested by the Information Field Officer, Senior Information Field Officer and ICLA Field Coordinator Responsible for ensuring that he / she understands and follows NRC security and safety guidance at all times; Name and organise ICLA project documents in a timely manner and in accordance with the ICLA filing structure and principles of confidentiality and protection Other Perform any other duties as required by the Information Field Officer and the Senior Information Field Officer QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Educational Requirements A Bachelors degree in Law, International Relations or Social Sciences (desirable) Experience and Skills Requirements Experience working in similar positions  in the humanitarian / development sector (desirable) Experience in legal and / or protection work in a humanitarian context (desirable) Experience of providing information and counselling services (desirable) Experience of community sensitisation (desirable)  Additional Skills and Qualities Ability to work under pressure and to be flexible Ability to work independently, and to be proactive in seeking support when needed Ability to communicate effectively orally in Arabic (essential) and in English (desirable) Proficiency in use of computers and Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Team spirit and a sense of humour