Registration Assistant - 2 Vacancies – G4 – ZAH205 & ZAH206 – UNOPS Contracts - Zahle, Lebanon

General Background

Nine years into the Syria crisis, Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with nearly 880,000 Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR (as at September 2020), as well as refugees of other origins - mostly Iraqi - and Palestinian refugees under UNRWA's mandate. There are no formal camps in Lebanon, and refugees are living in hundreds of communities and locations across the country. 

The refugee response is led by the Government and UNHCR and UNDP, 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 150 UN agencies, national and international NGO partners [over 150 actors, including UN agencies, national and international NGOs and Ministries] in identifying and agreeing on the strategic priorities to address the needs of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese communities. 

The UNHCR operational response in Lebanon is one of 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 is currently operating with around 650 staff. Aside from the country office in the capital city of Beirut, UNHCR has field offices in Mount Lebanon, Qobayat, Tripoli, Tyre and Zahle.

UNHCR Sub-Office Zahle is located in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, which hosts over 340,000 registered refugees (as at September 2020). Living conditions for refugees in Bekaa are extremely challenging, with about 40% of refugees residing in informal settlements scattered across the Bekaa. The deepening socio-economic crisis in Lebanon further compounded by COVID-19 has increased protection risks and vulnerabilities among refugees.

The Registration Assistant is a member of the registration team and is supervised by a more senior colleague who normally reports directly to the Registration Officer. The incumbent is responsible for supporting all activities related to registration, which may also include functions related to reception, filing and data management. S/he responds to queries from asylum seekers and refugees regarding UNHCR's registration procedures and their rights and entitlements. The Registration Assistant liaises with protection staff and partners to ensure timely identification and referral of persons of concern for protection follow up and may provide interpretation and/or translation services in cases for which s/he has the required language competencies.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

• Conduct registration interviews in accordance with local SOPs and registration standards.
• Respond to queries from asylum seekers and refugees regarding UNHCR's registration procedures and their rights and entitlements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to date records and data related to all individual registration cases.
• Identify persons with specific needs and ensure timely referral to protection follow-up as required. 
• Collaborate with protection staff and/or partners in the delivery of assistance and programming, including provision of identity and entitlement documentation
• Act as interpreter and translator when needed.
• Refer cases to other units within the office and to implementing partners as necessary.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning 

Client & Result Orientation

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Technological Awareness

Planning and Organizing