Economic Empowerment Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

This UNV assignment is part of UNDP project “Improving Living Conditions in Host Palestinian Gatherings in Lebanon”. Palestinian Gatherings represent one of the most vulnerable and marginalized host communities in Lebanon. These areas represent informal areas of dwelling for a majority of Palestinian refugees without enjoying a camp status. An estimated 120,000 host and newly displaced refugees live in dire conditions that have long existed in the gatherings, marked by poverty and inequality, lack of service provision, run-down physical environments, limited access to jobs and income generation opportunities and high unemployment rates. Legal restrictions imposed on Palestinian refugees in Lebanon contribute to the worsening of their socio-economic conditions. Moreover, Palestinian Gatherings remain excluded from wider sector development plans or local projects and services.

The project mainly aims at supporting local NGOs and CBOs to empower people, with focus on youth and women, to improve their livelihoods and income generating opportunities. Activities include providing accredited advanced and long-term vocational training to youth; support to existing small businesses and start-ups, support to the establishment of innovative hubs / incubators; rehabilitation of local high-impact infrastructure such as markets, agricultural lands and irrigation canals; designing targeted programs that provide training, coaching and in-kind support in new and demanded domains to youth; etc.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Project Manager or project Community Engagement and Communication Officer, the UNV Economic Empowerment Officer will: • Take part, together with the Community Engagement and Communication Officer and project team, in the identification, planning, implementation and monitoring of socio-economic interventions. • Ensure the quality and timely implementation of socio-economic activities at field level, according to the project’s work plan. • Identify and report potential risks or challenges as well as corrective ways and solutions. • Participate in the design and implementation of needs assessments and identification of opportunities and potential interventions. • Organize focus group discussions, household and key informant interviews, surveys, etc. on socio-economic and livelihood issues. • Collect information and data through desk review, research and field work in order to support the design of responsive interventions. • Reach out to targeted communities and potential stakeholders including municipalities and local and popular committees, youth and women reference groups, community-based organization and NGOs, the private sector, etc. in order to identify potential interventions, partnerships and cooperation. • Support in setting-up and implementing clear beneficiary follow-up and accountability mechanisms. • Follow-up with beneficiaries, stakeholders and partners as requested to support the implementation and monitoring of interventions. • Assist in the preparation and processing of documents and guidelines necessary for the implementation of the socio-economic component. • Take part in reporting on socio-economic activities for project reports, newsletters, social media, etc.
• Collect photos of program implementation and ensure that donor visibility is respected. • Ensure that gender and social inclusion concept and principles are internalized in all activities. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Professionalism

• Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Communication • Flexibility • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement

local economic development / livelihood at the national and/or international level is required, experience with international non-governmental organizations is an asset; • Experience in data collection tools and community outreach and empowerment activities is required • Excellent oral and written communication and reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive; • Have affinity with or interest in development, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in Beirut with field visits to selected Palestinian Gatherings in Lebanon. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.