Outreach Volunteer Assistant

INTERSOS is a non-profit humanitarian aid organisation that works to bring assistance to people in danger, victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Established in 1992 with support from the Italian Federation of Trade Unions, its actions are based on the values of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equal rights and opportunities for all people and respect for diversity and coexistence, paying particular attention to the most vulnerable and the unprotected.

INTERSOS identifies with the core values of CONCORD, the European Confederation of NGOs; it adheres to international codes of conduct for humanitarian organisations and the values and principles expressed within those codes. INTERSOS is recognised by the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the European Commission and the principal UN agencies; it is privileged to hold an advisory status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
INTERSOS is an independent association which, through its own humanitarian operators, intervenes to effectively answer the needs of people in serious crises situations, mainly in the world's poorest regions, who are suffering, deprived of rights, dignity and essentials goods. It maintains a flexible operating structure. The head office in Italy coordinates, supports and monitors the planned activities in the countries of intervention carried out by decentralised offices.

TENTATIVE VACANCY

Job title      : Outreach Volunteer Assistant

Reports to        : Protection Officer

Duty station      : Based in Tripoli with regular field visits to: T5 and Akkar

Position type     : Full-time

Job Purpose

The OV assistant for the UNHCR North project is responsible for overseeing the Outreach Volunteer (OV) program implemented by INTERSOS and UNHCR, involving a high level of coordination, monitoring and reporting.

General Duties and responsibilities:

1. Leads and co-ordinates the INTERSOS OVs Programme in the North of Lebanon (T5 and districts), under the supervision of the INTERSOS Protection officer and in strong co-ordination with the INTERSOS case management officer and the UNHCR Tripoli and Qobayat office.
2. Promotes a participatory approach among the INTERSOS OVs in order to involve refugees’ representatives in the identification of needs and conducting safe service referrals, and implementation of outreach services, in developing a sense of community and strengthen community support systems.
3. Leads the reporting of the INTERSOS OV programme implemented in North Lebanon.

Co-ordination of the OVs

1. Supports and manages a pool of OVs in their daily activities; ensure distribution of tasks within the teams.
2. In collaboration with the line and technical managers, work closely with the other organizations in order to ensure smooth co-ordination.
3. Organizes period meetings with OVs, at the district and regional level, to supervise activities, provides support, guidance and seeks for solutions to any issues identified.
4. Communicate regularly with the OVs teams for updates on achievements and challenges.
5. Disseminates information on refugee issues/assistance/services to OVs, briefs them on the information and ensures that it is effectively shared with communities.
6. Undertakes field visits to provide technical guidance and supervision as well as regularly monitoring of the progress of the OVs project activities.
7. Any other relevant co-ordination activities as required.

Supervision of OVs and OV activities

1. Plans, monitors and supervises the activities of the OVs active in the INTERSOS Protection programme in North Lebanon.
2. Supervises and monitors the activities related to identification, follow-up and awareness raising implemented by the OVs in accordance with the tools and procedures used by INTERSOS.
3. Acts as a link between the OV project and INTERSOS case management activities in the North, coordinates with Caseworkers on referrals and for technical support for OVs.

Monitoring & Reporting

1. Ensures accurate quality reporting on the OVs activities, feeding into weekly and monthly reporting to be prepared by the CMO.
2. Contributes to the drafting of internal and external reports (weekly, monthly, and quarterly) according to INTERSOS and donors requirements ensuring that reports are of a high quality and submitted on time.
3. Transmits protection concerns reported by OVs to UNHCR and other relevant actors in a timely and accurate manner.
4. Supports in entering data and provide/prepare update to ensure weekly and monthly overview of all cases referred by OVs.
5. Ensures the data-entry for the monthly UNHCR SITREP report.
6. Provides meeting minutes and data related to OV participation in meetings/capacity building in a timely manner.
7. Maintains regular and positive collaboration with the colleagues to harmonize approaches and methodologies of response, shares challenges and best practices.

Co-ordination & Representation

1. Organizes and attends bi-lateral meetings with UNHCR to discuss the progress of the OV project and flag any concerns with the support of the CMO and under the supervision of the Protection Officer.
2. Facilitates OV monthly meetings and meetings with other UNHCR partners.

OV Capacity Development

1. Promotes regular OVs mentoring and couching sessions based on identified needs and gaps in co-ordination with UNHCR.
2. Organizes and conducts trainings for OVs on relevant protection topics.
3. Coordinates with UNHCR to organize training for OVs based on identified needs.

Education:

• University degree in social sciences/ social work or relevant field

Competencies: (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

Professional Competencies:

• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in humanitarian Work (working on refugee related legal problems)
• Knowledge on how to communicate with vulnerable population groups, such as women, children, youth, elderly, disable and refugees
• Knowledge of CP and protection related issues (GBV and PwSN is a plus)
• Ability and willingness to travel to project areas and spend extended periods with communities and volunteers
• Experience in conducting basic administrative tasks
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of local communities and customary rules
• Excellent reporting skills
• MS proficiency (OS Windows/Linux, MS Office, Internet etc.)
• Driving License

Behavioural competencies:

• High degree of flexibility and adaptability
• Excellent communication skills
• High level of planning and organizing
• Ethical and transparent decision-making
• Independence, i.e. conducting tasks with minimal supervision
• Driving and achieving results
• Teamwork
• Initiative
• Problem solving and decision making
• Strategic vision
• Leadership: developing and motivating staffs
• Driving and achieving results
• Humanitarian motivation and commitment to INTERSOS values
• Respect of Intersos policies and procedures