Senior Resettlement Assistant (2 Positions) – G5 – BEY050/BEY053 – UNOPS Contract - Beirut, Lebanon

General Background

Brief description of the national, sector-specific or other relevant context in which the individual contractor will operate

Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with nearly 950,000 Syrian refugees registered with UNHCR, about 20,000 refugees of other origins - mostly Iraqi - and Palestine refugees under UNRWA’s mandate. There are no formal camps for Syrian refugees 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 Lebanon Chapter of the Response Plan 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. 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. A Senior Resettlement Assistant position is typically located at Multi-Country Office, Branch Office or Field Office. Under supervision, the incumbent’s primary role is to assist the supervisor in effective resettlement delivery of a given UNHCR Office in accordance with the UNHCR Resettlement Handbook, UNHCR Manual and relevant policy papers and publications. The incumbent provides important clerical and administrative support to resettlement operations and may as required take part in assessing cases for resettlement and conducting interviews. S/he maintains frequent contacts with the supervisor, relevant colleagues within the same Office or Offices under purview to exchange information and discuss issues on resettlement cases. Some contacts and communication at a working level are required with Embassy / Immigration Officials of resettlement countries, IOM as well as with other operating partners regarding resettlement issues.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Concise and detailed description of activities, tasks and responsibilities to be undertaken, including expected travel, if applicable

Carry out preliminary interviews and initial assessments to process refugees for resettlement following established procedures.

Prepare written documentation for resettlement submission; ensure that records / files of individual cases are updated in a systematic and timely manner.

Assess and review individual resettlement cases and prepare individual / group submission for scrutiny by the supervisor. 

Provide persons of concern (PoC) with up-to-date and accurate information on UNHCR’s resettlement policies and procedures.

Comply with UNHCR’s standard operating procedures on resettlement, ensuring timely action on cases. 

Follow up on cases from time of submission to final decision and departure; ensure effective in-country communication on the status and follow-up on PoC being considered for resettlement. 

Assist in maintaining and updating 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.

Provide administrative support for resettlement-related training activities, including organization of resettlement workshops and meetings as required.

Maintain accurate resettlement statistics as well as up-to-date records on individual cases; assist in the preparation of reports.

Draft / type routine correspondence to Field Offices / Multi-Country Offices / Headquarters.

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 by reporting suspected fraud.

Recommend eligible cases for resettlement consideration.

Provide counselling to PoC.

Perform other related duties as required.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

Clear description of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicators and/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring

Desirable

Good knowledge of resettlement issues and UNHCR resettlement policies and operational applications. Completion of UNHCR specific learning/training activities (e.g., PLP and RSD/Resettlement Learning Programme, resettlement anti-fraud workshop).

Functional Skills 

CM-Cross-cultural communication

PR-Resettlement/Repatriation/Voluntary Repatriation

UN-UNHCR Operations, mandate, principles and policies

PR-Resettlement Anti-Fraud Policy and Procedures

Language Requirements 

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.