Resettlement Associate ( 6 month Contract ) - UNHCR TA - HRT054 - G6 - Beirut, Lebanon

Seven years into the Syria crisis, Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with over one million Syrian refugees, and around 20,000 refugees of Iraqi, Sudanese, Ethiopian and other origins, in addition to the Palestine refugees under UNRWA’s mandate.  There are no formal camps for Syrian refugees in the country, and refugees are living in hundreds of 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 one of the largest for the organization. Media attention and the frequency of influential high-profile visitors is high. Aside from the country office in the capital city of Beirut, UNHCR has offices in Mt Lebanon, Qobayat, Tripoli, Tyre and Zahle.

A Resettlement Associate position is typically located at Regional Office, Branch Office or Field Office. Under supervision, the incumbent’s primary role is to assist in providing, in close coordination with concerned sections within UNHCR as well as external parties such as resettlement countries, IOM and NGOs, a continuous support to resettlement operations by ensuring that resettlement polices are correctly implemented and operations are supported in establishing comprehensive protection and solutions strategies.

The Resettlement Associate takes part in assessing cases for resettlement and conducting interviews as well as monitoring procedural compliance and quality of case submissions. The role of the Resettlement Associate may involve managerial responsibilities in supervising, coaching and training junior staff, and assisting in implementing organisational objectives and priorities.

In addition, the Resettlement Associate will be involved in the Identification for Resettlement Consideration process, which would involve assessing cases for Resettlement eligibility as well as review of the Resettlement Identification Forms and providing guidance to Identification staff as required. 

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

• Resettlement delivery is needs-based, non-discriminatory and prioritized for refugees most in need of this solution.
• UNHCR’s resettlement policies and standards are correctly and coherently applied.
• Persons of concern are made aware of UNHCR’s resettlement procedures and have fair and transparent access to and participation in the resettlement process.
• Fraud in the resettlement process is promptly identified and addressed.

Responsibility

• Interview, assess resettlement needs, and process persons identified for resettlement, following established procedures; undertake field missions as required.
• Where applicable, review and assess special resettlement cases and prepares individual submissions for presentation to resettlement countries; keep offices informed on the status of special resettlement cases; liaise with offices on case processing and provide advice as required.
• Comply with UNHCR’s standard operating procedures on resettlement, ensuring timely action on cases.
• Follow up on status of cases from submission to departure; ensure effective in-country communication on the status and follow-up on persons of concern being considered for resettlement; ensure that records on individual cases are kept up-to-date.
• Provide persons of concern and partners with up-to-date and accurate information on UNHCR’s resettlement policies and procedures.
• Assist in monitoring the quality of submissions, providing the concerned staff with basic guidance and advice.
• Manage, maintain and update proGres or Consolidated Online Resettlement Tracking System (CORTS) database and provide technical support.
• Coordinate travel and departure arrangements for refugees accepted for resettlement.
• Organize logistical support for governments undertaking resettlement missions.
• Maintain accurate resettlement statistics as well as up-to-date records on individual cases; assist in the preparation of reports.
• Assist in assessing resettlement needs, preparing a strategy and budget for resettlement activities and monitoring expenditures.
• Provide administrative support for resettlement-related training activities.
• Systematically apply an Age, Gender and Diversity perspective in all aspects of the resettlement process; comply with UNHCR policy and guidelines on HIV/AIDS.
• Assist in mitigating resettlement fraud through oversight (including in-country travel), advice and guidance).

Authority

• Recommend cases that are eligible for resettlement consideration.
• Provide counseling to persons of concern.