Humanitarian Affairs Officer

Première Urgence - Aide Médicale Internationale (PU-AMI) is a non-profit, non-political and non-religious humanitarian NGO. Its objective is to bring about a global response to the basic needs of populations suffering from acute humanitarian crisis and to allow them to recover their autonomy and dignity. In close respect to humanitarian principles, PU-AMI promotes humanitarian access and dialogue with all components of the civil society in Lebanon, and delivers assistance based on the needs, regardless of religion, politics, and ethnic matters. 

Today, PU-AMI is intervening in 23 countries in Africa, the Near East, Caucasus, Asia and the Caribbean to cover the needs of populations affected by conflict, natural disasters or economic crises.

PU-AMI in Lebanon has been implementing emergency and recovery projects in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, in Shelter Rehabilitation, Health and in Livelihood Recovery sectors.

SUPERVISION

Under The Direct Supervision of: Field Coordinator

Under The Technical Supervision: N/A

Under The Overall Supervision: Head of Mission

In Supervision of: N/A

OVERALL MISSION

1. GENERAL OBJECTIVE

The Humanitarian Affairs Officer supports the Field Coordinator to facilitate implementation of activities and ensure coordinated humanitarian access, by:

• Monitoring the context, identifying the potential constraints that may hinder proper access to the assisted populations;
• Reporting all changes  potentially affecting the access to populations in needs of  humanitarian assistance;
• Reporting incidents affecting PU-AMI operations and staff in the area of intervention;
• Ensuring the safety means for field teams based on the available resources;
• Liaising on constant basis with key stakeholders (donors, municipalities, associations, etc.) upon delegation from Field Coordinator.

1. RESPONSABILITIES AND TASKS

• Humanitarian Access monitoring

• Ensure that the common speech of the NGO is disseminated to staff and enforced at field level towards local stakeholders and beneficiaries;

• Ensure data collection, crosschecking and in-depth analysis of information related to the context within the area of intervention; provide regular and ad hoc (if needed) formal reports to the Field Coordinator;
• Be aware and up to date of all projects activities of BML Base;
• Actively participate in regular or ad hoc humanitarian meetings, take notes and provide qualitative minutes/reports when needed;
• Immediately alert the Field Coordinator in case of impending danger, or incident affecting the teams and/or the assisted population;
• In case of incident related to humanitarian access affecting PU-AMI teams or activities, report immediately, orally to the Field Coordinator, and provide access incident report in the 24 hours following the incident.

• Security and Safety rules enforcement

• Participate in the elaboration and constant update of program documentation;
• Provide a weekly SitRep updating the humanitarian context analysis shared with the Field Coordinator;
• Monitor the overall daily staff movement in Southern Suburbs and provide regular feedback to staff on safety;
• Ensure follow up of incidents affecting PU-AMI staff, provide regular updates to Field Coordinator and Head of Mission, and provide incident report in the 24 hours following the incident.
• Guarantee a smooth communication with local stakeholders and all departments of BML Base and set up clear coordination with Project Managers;
• Support safety of staff during working hours through a proper communication set-up) in coordination with Field Coordinator, Logistics Manager and local authorities when needed.
• Set up a wide network of focal points in the area of intervention;
• Support the Field Coordinator in the organization and facilitation of humanitarian access; 
• Design and provide contextual briefings as a part of new staff/visitors induction plan;
• Monitor the respect of operation rules and procedures agreed with relevant stakeholders.

• Representation and external coordination

• Pay strict attention to the humanitarian principles and monitor compliance of PU-AMI’s staff and activities in that regard;
• Attend and actively participate in the relevant meetings with local partners, stakeholders and donors, take notes and provide qualitative minutes/reports when requested;
• Participate in the overall representation of the organization towards  local actors, and provide qualitative minutes/reports, when requested;
• Support the Field Coordinator in communication and networking with all relevant stakeholders, by organizing regular bilateral meetings to provide updates on PU-AMI’s activities, facilitate humanitarian access, identify jointly needs and populations of concern (PoC).

The tasks and responsibilities defined in this job description are not exhaustive and can evolve depending on the project needs.

1. MAIN PRIORITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT – FOR FIRST 3 MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Develop stakeholder networking in the areas of intervention;
• Prepare a training plan for all staff on specific communication and safety rules, humanitarian principles, and develop support documents/materials for that purpose;
• Conduct humanitarian access assessments in the new areas of intervention.
•  

QUALIFICATIONS

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

• Language Skills: Fluent in Arabic and English (speaking/ reading/ writing). 
• Education Degree: University degree in Humanitarian Affairs or a related field.
• Work experience: 3 years professional experience in humanitarian access function, specifically in the area targeted
• Excellent knowledge of the Southern Suburb Municipalities and needs prevailing in the area
• Computer skills: Very good knowledge in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Google Earth and Google Maps, notions in using ARCGIS.
• Other  requirement

• Valid driving license (For minimum 2 year)

Assets

• Other knowledge: Acquaintance with INGO' rules, procedures, regulations and humanitarian principles
• Interest: Work in relief
• Transversal skills

• Honest and trustworthy
• Reliable, rigorous and well organized
• Motivated and dedicated to his/her job
• Excellent communication skills
• Tact and diplomacy
• Able and willing to learn to extend his/her scope of work
• Able to manage priorities, take initiatives and work without constant supervision