Humanitarian Affairs Assistant
Support the coordination of humanitarian response in Lebanon.
Overview
Support the coordination of humanitarian response in Lebanon.
You have:
- A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, or other related area is required.
- At least two (2) years in the past five (5) years of experience working for, or coordination with humanitarian or development partners is required.
- Experience in representing a UN agency, NGO or similar organization at the national or Governorate level is desirable.
- Experience in conducting multi-stakeholder consultation process is desirable.
- Experience in liaison with or working for local authorities is desirable.
- Understanding of the humanitarian and development coordination architecture in Lebanon is desirable.
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.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA)’s overall goal in Lebanon is to support the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator (RC/HC) in his/her function to ensure a principled, efficient and accountable collective humanitarian response to all people in need in Lebanon. OCHA Lebanon’s focus is to:
- Enhance coordination mechanisms at the strategic and operational levels, in support of the HC and the HCT, and collaboration with UNHCR and UNDP, to support planning, implementation and monitoring of a principled, efficient and accountable collective response to humanitarian needs in Lebanon.
- Support the coordination of emergency response to the compound crisis in Lebanon and facilitate an early transition out of emergency response into longer-term recovery and development activities.
- Strengthen situational awareness in a fluid context, and support a coherent collective analysis of humanitarian needs, gaps and response, with the view to facilitate the development of a coherent narrative shared across the aid community on humanitarian needs and response priorities.
- Mobilize flexible and predictable humanitarian funding for the collective response to humanitarian needs in Lebanon, including management of the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF), the OCHA-managed Country-Based Pooled Fund (CBPF) in Lebanon.
- Advocate for improved protection and operational space for all humanitarian actors involved in the collective response.
The UN Volunteer will support the OCHA Country Office in delivering on its specific objective to coordinate, monitor and support humanitarian operations at sub-national level in Lebanon.
Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Humanitarian Financing Unit (HFU), the UNV Humanitarian Affairs Assistant will perform the following core tasks:
- Support the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) Programme team in monitoring aspects of LHF Risk Management work to validate and analyze project implementation, including preparing documentation in advance of missions, liaising with partners to arrange meetings and joining Programme Officer on field visits to project locations.
- Work closely with the LHF Programme Team to ensure the smooth running of LHF-funded grants. This includes ensuring documentation related to partner project reporting and monitoring outcomes are accurately reflected in the online systems, and all timelines for partner submission of reports are tracked and submissions are dealt with in a timely manner.
- Support the Coordination Unit to monitor, analyze and report on humanitarian developments, disaster relief/management or emergency situations in an assigned country/area.
- Assist in the coordination of international humanitarian/emergency assistance for complex emergency/disaster situations and in ensuring the necessary support (e.g. staff, funding, specialized equipment, supplies, etc.).
- Support partnership management with other humanitarian agencies to plan and evaluate humanitarian and emergency assistance programmes and help ensure that the latest findings, lessons learned, policy guidelines, etc. are incorporated into these activities, including gender-related considerations.
- Assist in the production of appeals for international assistance; ensures the proper use and spending of donor contributions channeled through OCHA.
- Support the establishment and maintenance of contacts with government officials, other UN agencies, nongovernmental organizations, etc.
- Undertake and provide support to technical assistance and other field missions, including inter-agency convoys, in support of needs assessment, monitoring missions or accompanying humanitarian activities or engaging with key interlocutors.
- Prepare or contribute to the preparation of various written reports, documents and communications, e.g. situation reports, background papers, briefings, case studies, presentations, correspondence, etc.
- Serve as the focal point on specific topics or cross-cutting issues; keep abreast of the latest developments, liaise with other humanitarian organizations, donors, etc. and ensure appropriate monitoring and reporting mechanisms on the assigned topics.
- Support work related to safeguarding humanitarian principles and ensuring the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.
- Organize and participate in working groups, meetings, conferences, consultations with other agencies and partners on humanitarian and emergency relief-related matters.
Performs other duties as required.
Achieve Results
- Think Innovatively
- Learn Continuously
- Adapt with Agility
- Act with Determination
- Engage and Partner
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion
- Professionalism
- Partnership Management
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Coordination
Judgement and Decision-Making
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian affairs, emergency preparedness, crisis/emergency relief management, or other related area is required.
- At least two (2) years in the past five (5) years of experience working for, or coordination with humanitarian or development partners is required.
- Experience in representing a UN agency, NGO or similar organization at the national or Governorate level is desirable.
- Experience in conducting multi-stakeholder consultation process is desirable.
- Experience in liaison with or working for local authorities is desirable.
- Understanding of the humanitarian and development coordination architecture in Lebanon is desirable.
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. 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.
Benefits Package: • Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of USD 1,606.56 • Annual and learning leaves • Medical and life Insurance • Free access to different learning platforms.
For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe your experience in humanitarian affairs and how it relates to the role of a Humanitarian Affairs Assistant? | The interviewer wants to understand your background and relevance to the position. | Discuss your specific experiences in humanitarian contexts and any relevant roles you've held. |
| How have you managed partnerships in previous roles to ensure effective humanitarian assistance? | The interviewer is interested in your partnership management skills. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a situation where you had to analyze and report on humanitarian needs. What approach did you take? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies would you employ to monitor the implementation of humanitarian projects effectively? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you share an experience that demonstrates your ability to work in a team under pressure? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you keep abreast of the latest developments in a complex humanitarian context? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What role do you think communication plays in humanitarian coordination? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe how you would handle a conflict that arises within a partnership in a humanitarian project. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |