Comprehensive Refugee Response Officer – UNHCR FTA – NOC – P.N 10023243 - Beirut, Lebanon

Eight years into the Syria crisis, Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with a Government estimate of 1.5 million Syrian refugees (including 976,002 registered with UNHCR as of 31 July 2018), and some 20,000 refugees of Iraqi, Sudanese, Ethiopian and other origins, in addition to a sizeable population of Palestine refugees under UNRWA’s mandate. The presence of such a large refugee population, in a small country that is struggling to maintain its own delicate balance and regain its pre-crisis economic growth, is affecting the social stability in many municipalities. Pressure on infrastructure and services, competition over jobs, and other factors are trying the patience of host communities. 

The Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) 2017-2020 thus seeks to provide a framework for an integrated humanitarian-development response in which the needs of the refugees are – to the extent possible based on national laws and policies– met by strengthening the capacity of national institutions and local civil society organizations to deliver services, and the impact of the refugee presence and Syria crisis is mitigated through support to local communities and vulnerable Lebanese. At the same time, a robust humanitarian response needs to be maintained in order to ensure the well-being and dignity of the refugees, while in temporary exile in Lebanon, and complement the services provided by the stretched national institutions. Still, in this protracted displacement situation, the vulnerabilities of the Syrian and non-Syrian refugees are likely to further increase due to cumulative factors, such as refugees’ limited possibilities to become self-reliant and their consequent dependency on humanitarian assistance to meet basic needs and stay resilient against exploitation, evictions and other risks. Individual protection risks, including arrests due to lack of legal residency, SGBV and child abuse, as well as medical, shelter and other basic needs may also rise, and exacerbate vulnerabilities and protection risks. 

The overall goal of UNHCR’s operation in Lebanon is to ensure a continued dignified temporary stay of refugees, while working to secure durable solutions for refugees outside of Lebanon, in the form of third-country resettlement and voluntary repatriation in safety and dignity. In pursuing this goal, UNHCR recognises the central role of the Government of Lebanon and its institutions and line ministries in charge of social services, foreign affairs, education, rule of law, security, displacement, public health, water, energy and the environment, for maintaining a dignified protection space for refugees, and their sustained access to essential services and assistance. UNHCR thus works closely with the Government, UN, civil society organizations and private sector partners - in a whole of society approach and within the established coordination structure - to contribute to the implementation of the LCRP in a way which builds on and benefits from the guidance provided in the Global Compact for Refugees and its Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF).

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

• Support is provided for  the roll-out of the CRRF in the operation under area of responsibility (AoR), including various stages of planning, implementation and stocktaking
• Active engagement with and provision of guidance to the government and a broad range of other stakeholders is ensured. 
• Existing partnerships are strengthened and new partnerships nurtured in support of the CRRF roll-out at country-level.
• The progress of CRRF roll-out at country-level is reported on, and advice on adapting response, partnership and other strategies provided where necessary.

Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results) 

• Help institutionalize CRRF-oriented approaches within UNHCR, with various government offices at regional, national and district levels, as well as a broad range of development and humanitarian partners through support and participation in all planning processes. 
• Identify proactively support needs by government offices and other partners and tailor specific guidance, as needed in the various stages of the CRRF roll-out.
• Monitor the CRRF roll-out  at country-level, including implementation of programmes and other forms of novel engagements, such as partnerships and legislative reform/ follow-up, for the benefit of refugee and host communities  in close collaboration with UNHCR sector leads, local government and relevant partners.
• Ensure that CRRF coordination at the operational level builds on and reinforces existing multi-partner planning frameworks such as the Refugee Coordination Model.  Liaise with UN Resident Coordinator/ Area Coordinator offices and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the same. 
• Assist the development of relationships and effectively engage on district level development. Key activities will include being part of district planning processes, facilitating strong working relations between LGAs and sector specialists/partners, supporting government in identifying entry points for CRRF programming.  
• Develop key partnerships and maintain good working relations with all stakeholders involved in the CRRF implementation. Seek and follow-up on collaboration opportunities with the World Bank in close collaboration with Senior Development Advisers where applicable, as well as with private sector, civil society, academia and other interlocutors of the multi-stakeholder approach outlined in the New York Declaration. 
• Identify and follow-up on opportunities to broaden existing partnerships, for example by expanding development engagement of actors who have primarily engaged with refugees from a humanitarian angle but otherwise engage in both humanitarian and development work, and seek new partnerships with international and local actors who have previously not been engaged in refugee response.
• Assist in the implementation of a communication strategy of CRRF at regional and district level to generate support from all partners and to strengthen links between the CRRF Secretariat and partners at the operational level. Identify advocacy and engagement opportunities for government and other partners.
• Report from CRRF engagement, programming and initiatives at the operational level to CRRF secretariat and to UNHCR Representation in the country/regional office.
• Support the Senior Coordinator (CRR) or other person, as appointed by the Representative, to regularly review the strategic direction of the CRRF roll-out at country-level in close collaboration with UNHCR Headquarters, and review short- and longer-term panning accordingly.
• Support in the different stages of stocktaking of the CRRF roll-out, including identifying and synthesizing lessons learnt and good practices in collaboration with UNHCR Headquarters.
• Stay abreast of the CRRF implementation at the country level. Inform/update the CRRF secretariat on CRRF news, developments, successes and challenges at the operational level. In collaboration with communications/PI staff, identify opportunities for visibility and media engagement.

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

• Represent UNHCR in meetings and fora related to the functions of the position.
• Coordinate planning, implementation, reporting and stocktaking activities, as agreed with the manager.
• Engage in short- and longer-term partnership development, and nurture engagement of development actors.