Job: Development Expert

Location: Beirut
Closing Date: Sunday, 01 December 2013

Terms of Reference

Post Title: Development Expert (Syria Refugee Response)

Duty station: Beirut – with frequent travel to the field

Duration of assignment: one year

General Background

The UNHCR Operation in Lebanon currently has over 800,000 refugees registered or awaiting registration (725,000 registered and 87,000 awaiting). Based on the trends in arrivals from January to April this year, it is estimated that the number of Syrian refugees in need of assistance in Lebanon by the end of 2013 might reach 1 million. Refugees are spread across the country in 1,179 locations with 34% of the population residing in the North, 34% in the Bekaa region, 18% in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, and 14% in the South. Overall coordination of the inter-agency response rests with UNHCR, with other UN agencies and NGOs playing critical roles in areas of their respective expertise. The Office has grown substantially since the beginning of the operation to more than 500 staff. Aside from the Branch Office in the capital city of Beirut, UNHCR has two sub-offices in Zahle and Tripoli and three Field Offices in Mt Lebanon, Tyr (South) and Qobayat (North).

UNHCR's mandate is recognized but the role of the Office very much depends on maintaining clear, open and transparent communication with the Government so that it is able to maintain the position of authority and respect currently experienced by the Office.

Lebanon is currently assessed at security level 4: substantial. The unrest in Syria has had an impact in Lebanon and security incidents are on the rise including cross-border shelling hitting Lebanese villages resulting in destruction of property and death; kidnappings for money and/or in retaliation by one sectarian group against another; violent and fatal clashes sparked by intra and inter-clan disputes; and ongoing concerns over weapons smuggling. Nonetheless, much has been achieved and refugees continue to receive a wide range of assistance, including food and non-food items, shelter, medical care, education assistance and psychosocial support.

UNHCR is engaging on activities addressed to the host communities to mitigate the impact of refugee presence on host communities, promote social cohesion and contribute to bridging the gap between humanitarian assistance programmes and development interventions.

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant Representative (Programme) and in close consultation with the Senior Humanitarian/Development Advisor, the Development Expert will:

• Be responsible for the management of the UNHCR Community Support Project (CSP) programme, including coordination with field offices, Programme Unit and sector specialists (in accordance with existing SOP on CSP); chairing the Beirut CSP Endorsement Committee; consolidation of monthly reports and updates, and ensuring dissemination i.a. through UNHCR's portal.
• Represent UNHCR in the inter-agency response in support to host communities, including co-chairing with UNDP and the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) the Task Force on Support to Host Communities; co-chairing with UNDP the Working Group on Host Communities in the context of the Regional Response Plan (RRP) and coordinate the drafting of stabilisation-related activities across RRP sectors, in consultation with the Senior Humanitarian/Development Advisor; and siting at the MoSA-chaired national Steering Committee on CSP (yet to be established).
• Assist with the development of UNHCR's strategic partnership with the World Bank on stabilisation. This function is to be performed on a needs basis and in close liaison and under the guidance of the UNHCR Senior Humanitarian/Development Advisor.

Qualifications (academic, experience)

• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in social sciences, development, development economics or similar;
• At least 10 years field experience (in development or a mixture of development / humanitarian), including extensive experience in a coordination, policy and analytical role;
• Several years of experience working with development actors (World Bank, UNDP, bilateral aid agency, or similar) in a staff or consultancy role;
• Sound knowledge of both development and humanitarian landscape and actors;
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills;
• Demonstrated, excellent analytical skills;
• Experience of living/working in the region;
• Advanced English drafting and writing skills;
• Knowledge of spoken and written Arabic is an advantage.

Duration One year

Enquiries/How to apply Please send an email with your CV and cover letter before 1 December 2013 to solutions@unhcr.org

More Info and Application