Humanitarian Affairs Assistant - Access
Support humanitarian access and civil-military coordination efforts in Lebanon.
Overview
Support humanitarian access and civil-military coordination efforts in Lebanon.
You have:
- A minimum of three (3) 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 three (3) years of experience working for, or coordination with humanitarian or development partners is required.
- Experience working with a UN agency, international organization, or NGO is required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and the ability to work effectively with various software applications is desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion is required.
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy is required.
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret and analyze data effectively, are desirable.
Contract
This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.
The humanitarian situation in Lebanon remains highly volatile, driven by continued hostilities despite the cessation of hostilities agreement announced in April 2026. Recurrent airstrikes, shelling, and displacement orders, particularly in South Lebanon, Nabatieh, and parts of the Bekaa, have resulted in continued civilian casualties, population movements, and widespread destruction of homes and critical infrastructure. More than one million people have been displaced at various stages of the crisis, while thousands remain in collective shelters or are unable to return due to insecurity and extensive damage. Humanitarian needs remain acute across shelter, food security, health, protection, water, and education sectors, with women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities among the most vulnerable. Funding shortfalls continue to constrain the ability of humanitarian actors to sustain and scale up assistance.
Humanitarian access remains possible in most parts of the country but is increasingly constrained in conflict-affected areas, particularly in the south. Ongoing insecurity, repeated strikes, movement restrictions, damaged roads and bridges, unexploded ordnance, and conflict debris continue to impede the safe and timely delivery of assistance and the restoration of essential services.
Humanitarian actors regularly reassess operational modalities to reach affected populations while balancing security and protection considerations. Access constraints are particularly pronounced in areas close to the Blue Line and other locations subject to evacuation orders or military activity, where humanitarian operations require enhanced coordination and risk mitigation measures.
Given the intensive engagement required to deliver on its mandate for humanitarian access and CMCoord, liaison with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), UNIFIL, and other actors, including parties to the conflict, supporting the office’s access and CMCoord work, including the humanitarian notification system in the coming months, is essential.
These UNV assignments are based in the OCHA Office in Beirut. The UN Volunteers will support the Access and Civil-Military Coordination Unit in delivering on their objective to facilitate access and support humanitarian operations across Lebanon.
The UN Volunteers will be expected to support the unit in a wide range of tasks, particularly providing technical support to the Humanitarian Notification System (HNS) project team.
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Humanitarian Affairs Officer – Access or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteers will:
• Provide support for HNS-related tasks, including the processing of sites, humanitarian movements, tracking of movements and follow-up with humanitarian partners in Lebanon. • Support and maintain an up-to-date database of stakeholders and relevant actors, analyzing trends and access impediments to planned missions. • Assist in organizing workshops, events and training sessions on different topics under access and CMCoord. • Maintain up to date list of contacts, information products, maps and other documents to improve communication and information-sharing within the unit. • Assist in the development of access and CMCoord reports and products and ensure regular update of relevant reports, presentations, minutes, snapshots, including analysis of HNS-related access trends. • Perform other duties as requested by the Head of Unit.
• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management
- A minimum of three (3) 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 three (3) years of experience working for, or coordination with humanitarian or development partners is required.
- Experience working with a UN agency, international organization, or NGO is required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and the ability to work effectively with various software applications is desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion is required.
- Excellent attention to detail and commitment to accuracy is required.
- Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret and analyze data effectively, are 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 expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.
Benefits Package:
• Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 350 USD • Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): USD 1,606.58 • Danger and Hardship Differential depending on the hardship classification and family/non-family status of the duty station. • Free access to UNV's learning and career development resources
For more information on please visit the Entitlements Calculator: https://app.unv.org/calculator.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe your experience in humanitarian affairs and how you managed crisis situations? | The interviewer is looking for insights into your hands-on experience and decision-making skills in challenging scenarios. | Provide concrete examples of past humanitarian work and highlight the actions you took to address specific challenges. |
| How would you ensure effective communication among stakeholders in an emergency context? | This question assesses your ability to manage and facilitate communication in high-pressure environments. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What methods do you use to analyze and interpret data related to humanitarian access issues? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a time when you had to handle sensitive information. How did you ensure confidentiality? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you adapt your work to align with local culture and traditions during missions? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you tell us about a time you organized a workshop or training session? What challenges did you face? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you prioritize tasks when working under tight deadlines in a crisis situation? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies would you employ to improve access for humanitarian operations in conflict-affected areas? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |