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 COORDINATORunder the technical supervision  N/Aunder the overall supervision HEAD OF MISSION in supervision of N/A

OVERALL MISSION

1. GENERAL OBJECTIVE

The Humanitarian Affairs Officer supports Akkar and Tripoli Field Coordinators in context and security monitoring and ensure coordinated humanitarian access, by :

• Monitoring the humanitarian, security and political context, identifiying the potential constraints and/or changes that may impact proper access to the assisted populations;
• Supporting the security & safety management of activites, staff and premises for all Akkar and North Governorates operations
• Liaising on constant basis with key stakeholders (municipalities, associations, government, etc.) upon delegation from and oversight of Field Coordinators, including clearance processes.

2. RESPONSABILITIES AND TASKS

• Support context analysis and humanitarian access

• 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 Field Coordinators;
• Ensure the drafting of a weekly press review (rotating with Saida HAO);
• Collect, verify, analyze and report information that may affect the humanitarian access for assisted populations (climate hazards, civil unrests, security incidents)
• Actively participate in regular or ad hoc humanitarian meetings, take notes and provide qualitative minutes/reports when needed;
• Ensure that the common speech of the NGO is disseminated to staff and enforced at field level towards local stakeholders and beneficiaries;
• Monitor compliance of PU-AMI’s staff and activities with regards to humanitarian principles

 

• Support the safety and security management of PU-AMI activities, staff and premises

• Conduct regular (and adhoc when necessary) in-depth risks analyses and report to Field Coordinators;
• Participate in the elaboration and constant update of program documentation; contribute to project proposal writing for sections within his/her scope (security, context analysis, risk analysis, etc.)
• Ensure follow up of incidents affecting PU-AMI staff, provide regular updates to Field Coordinators, Head of Mission, and other security focal points, providing incident report within 24 hours following the indicent.
• Support safety of staff during and after working hours through a proper communication set-up, in coordination with Field Coordinators, Logistics Manager and local authorities when needed.
• Set up a wide network of focal points in the area of intervention; regularly liasioning to retrieve updated, accurate information;
• Design and provide safety and security rules and/or contextual briefings as a part of new staff/visitors induction plan;
• Develop and provide ad hoc reports, briefing, and presentations to Field and Coordination teams upon request of Field Coordinators
• Carry out regular field visits in area of intervention to monitor activity implementation with regards to respect of security and safety procedures
• Provide regular trainings and/or refreshers to PU-AMI employees (including temporary workers) on security and safety issues
• Participate in the elaboration and constant update of the Base Security Plan and the related set of security forms and documentation; propose changes based on context evolution to Field Coordinators.
• In coordination with the logistics manager, review the security set-up of all premises and propose adjustments as required to Field Coordinators
• Immediately alert Field Coordinators 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 Field Coordinators, and provide access incident report in the 24 hours following the incident;
• Member of the Base Incident Management Team.

 

• Contribute to representation, liaison and external coordination

• Conduct stakeholder analyses and mapping;
• Constantly update the external contact list;
• Attend and actively participate in 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 Field Coordinators 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);
• Ensures that proper documentation from authorities are available by PU-AMI staff to access restricted areas (ex. Wadi Khaled).

 

Though this ratio may evolve over time, it is expected that the Humanitarian Affairs Officer will spend at least 50% of their working time outside the main office for field monitoring visits, network development and participation to external meetings.

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

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

 

• Develop a monthly security pack to be implemented at mission level in coordination with Saida Base.
• Draft comprehensive actors mapping and other context analysis documentation as requested by Field Coordinators (including maps of intervention area).
• Follow up the roll out and dissemination of the updated security plan.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Mandatory requirements

• Language Skills: Fluent in Arabic and English (speaking/ reading/ writing).
• Excellent writing and analysis skills are mandatory.
• Education Degree: University degree in Humanitarian Affairs/Political Sciences or a related field.
• Work experience: 3 to 5 years professional experience in humanitarian access function, specifically in the area targeted. Experience in security management is a key asset. Experience in logistics management is an asset but not compulsory.
• Excellent knowledge of Akkar and North Governorates 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 (desired).
• Other  requirement

• Valid driving license (For minimum 1 year)

 

Assets

 

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

• Honest and trustworthy
• Reliable, rigorous and well organized
• Motivated and dedicated to his/her job
• Excellent communication and negotiation 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