Assistant Programme Officer - UNHCR FTA - P.N 10020698 - Tyr, Lebanon

There are currently a very high number of Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR in Lebanon, which makes Lebanon the highest refugee-hosting country per capita in the world. There are no approved camps in the country, and refugees are spread over 2,125 communities and locations across the country. The refugee response is led by the Government and local actors, supported by the international community.

As the designated lead agency in the refugee response, UNHCR has established a sector-based structure in Beirut and in the field. The structure brings together over 100 UN agencies, national and international NGO partners in identifying and agreeing on the strategic priorities to address the needs of Syrian refugees and other affected populations. The Lebanon national response falls under the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP), whereby UNHCR guides the refugee response and UNDP facilitates the resilience and stabilization component.

The UNHCR operational response in Lebanon is the largest for the organization. Media attention and the frequency of influential high-profile visitors is high. The Office has grown substantially in the past years and now has around 640 staff. Aside from the Branch Office in the capital city of Beirut, UNHCR has two sub-offices in Zahle and Tripoli and two field offices in Mt Lebanon, Tyre, and one field unit in Qobayat under the Tripoli Sub-Office.

The incumbent is normally supervised by more senior programme staff in the operation. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to the country programme(s). UNHCR Manual, programme objectives, Operations Plans, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Assistant Programme Officer. S/he is also expected to stay abreast of the challenges posed to the region by the political context, the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.

The incumbent is required to have basic conceptual knowledge of the profession, be dynamic and able to take higher responsibilities progressively. S/he is supervised, coached and guided by the supervisor. The incumbent does not normally have a direct supervisory role over other staff. However, it rests upon the supervisor of the post to make time specific arrangements subject to a given situation.

External contacts are predominantly with persons on subject matters of importance to Organization's programme (e.g. counterparts in other organizations or at working level in national Governments).

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

• The needs of persons of concern in the country are assessed and analyzed in a participatory manner and using an Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) perspective to form a firm basis for planning.
• IP agreements are established in a timely manner, regularly monitored and reported on in compliance with established guidelines and procedures.

Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results)

• Through a consultative process within the country and field visits, stay involved in the development of the strategies, methodologies, contingency plans that respond to new and emerging operational challenges for the country.
• Provide inputs for developing the country operations plan for overall compliance with global strategic priorities and regional priorities as well as with annual programming/planning instructions.
• Assist in organizing a consultative process to ensure a consistent application of the organization’s criteria and policies for the selection of implementing and operational partners.
• Assist in managing the development of a broad network of partners, good coordination practices and the development of partner capacities.
• Undertake proper collection, monitoring and use of baselines, standards, and indicators needed to measure and analyze UNHCR’s performance, trends and target interventions.
• Undertake field visits to evaluate and improve the planning, programming, implementation, and monitoring of assistance projects.
• Assist in implementing the establishment of sound monitoring processes, in reviewing final reports and on progress in order to advise on any corrective actions required or the need for additional resources to reach planned target levels.
• Apply UNHCR’s corporate tools (e.g. Global Focus, Focus Client) to record data and assess the technical soundness of the operation and generate data for evidence-based decisions at the country-level.
• Assist in keeping donor representatives briefed on developments and assist in the development of funding submissions, appeals, and reports.
• Assist in monitoring compliance to the organization’s resource allocation framework, providing support and taking corrective action where required.
• Assist in ensuring compliance in issuance of audit certificates for Implementing Partners.
• Monitor the implementation of IP Risk Management techniques and tools.
• Performs other duties as required.

Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results)

• Provide inputs for the country operations plan (including budgets, staffing levels, and structures) as well as prepare inputs for funding submissions, appeals, and reports.
• Enforce compliance with UNHCR’s global strategies, protocols, and guidelines.