فرصة عمل: مطلوب رئيس مكتب ميداني (Head of Field Office P4) للعمل لدى المفوضية السامية للاجئين (UNHCR)

Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position

Hardship Level

C
Family Type

Family
Residential location (if applicable)

PR4

Professional

* Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.

In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2023-10-13

November 9, 2023

Head of Field Office

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

Head of a UNHCR Field Office (HoFO) is a senior managerial position within a given country operation. The incumbent carries the full delegated authority of the UNHCR Representative (or the country Manager or Head of Sub-Office) of the country, who will exercise entire supervisory managerial responsibility over the position. The position, on the other hand, provides all information on developments in relation to the protection (legal protection issues relating to the persons of concern to UNHCR), security (Physical security in relation to the UNCR staff and the persons of concern to UNHCR) and operational matters (programme and office management / administration) within the domain of its geographical area of responsibility to the UNHCR Representative (or the country manager) on a regular and timely manner. Subject to the specific legal or socio economic or security developments in the Area of Responsibility (AOR), Representative will direct and guide the Head of Field Office to take the most appropriate course of action. Concerning overall physical security concerns, HoFO will liaise directly with the competent UN security coordinator while keeping the UNHCR Representative fully informed.

While the functional responsibility of a Head of Field Office will always remain the same despite its grade level, the other parameters (therefore the depth and breadth of the competencies) such as the size of the population of concern to UNHCR, their specific legal/security concerns, volume of assistance, Number of operational / Implementing partners and the size of the Office (i.e. number of UNHCR staff and their grade levels) will determine the appropriate grade level. The operational autonomy also depends upon the same parameters/competencies.

As the most senior UNHCR staff member within the given geographical area, he/she is required to liaise with all the relevant senior government officials, security organs in the area, the Head of various Non-Governmental Organisations (both national and internationals based in the area), Civilian/tribal leaders/elders, local opinion makers and the local media net-work to ensure his/her assigned responsibilities are effectively and efficiently discharged.

As the extended field representative of UNHCR at the front line of High Commissioner¿s operations, he/she remain as the effective advocate and assistant to the local authorities to ensure that the respective government authorities in the area implement their conventional responsibilities in favour of refugees and others of concern to UNHCR.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
– Monitor and report on the implementation of refugee conventional responsibilities and international obligations of the local authorities Vis a Vis the population of concern to UNHCR within the given geographical area; based on local situations/developments make appropriate recommendation to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO.
– Advocate and promote UNHCR standards concerning the treatment of asylum seekers, refugees and returnees as well as IDPs, where applicable; Advocate, promote and encourage the concerned authorities and local opinion makers to uphold established UNHCR standards that have become the international norms.
– Ensure that the basic needs of the concerned population are properly assessed with the participation of the beneficiaries themselves, the host governments and/or the competent Implementing partners and/or UNHCR itself.
– Subject to the needs, ensure that the planning, formulation and budgeting of identified assistance projects are done as per UNHCR programme cycle; upon approval of assistance project, ensure the timely implementation and rigorous monitoring of identified assistance activities
– Ensure through the subordinate staff that all deadlines for monitoring and reporting of UNHCR operational activities (i.e. include assistance as well as Administrative) are met on a regular basis.
– Manage all UNHCR resources, both human, financial/material, at an optimum level for the wellbeing of the concerned population and the UNHCR staff.
– Ensure that all security measures of UNHCR office (and residential, where ever applicable) compounds are always up to date; any security breaches and/or potential security threat should be reported immediately to competent UN security coordinator in the country.
– Ensure that staff welfare, both in terms of working and living conditions, are maintained at a satisfactory level within the constraints in the operational area; this requires remaining current in health and medical facilities locally available and evacuation options available in a moment of medical urgency.
– Guide, coach and advocate the subordinate staff to maintain highest standards of conduct and behaviour thorough one¿s own practice and deeds.
– Prepare and submit regular reports, both verbally and written, to the UNHCR Representative/HoSO. In the event of substantial telephone conversation that leads to specific action or non-action, it should be recorded and share with the other party.
– Represent UNHCR in inter-agency fora and with local authorities in the AOR.
– Enforce compliance with UNHCR¿s global protection, programme, finance, human resources and security policies and standards.
– Submit project proposals for assistance to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR Representation or Sub-Office in coordination with local authorities and NGOs.

– Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4 – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Human Resources Management;
Personnel Administration;
Law;
Political Science;
International Relations;
Economics;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Management Lrng Prg;
HCR Managing Operatns Lrng Prg;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
In-depth knowledge in all aspects of UNHCR¿s Field level operation.  Applied experience of protection principles, operational arrangements/standards in relation to protection, assistance, UNHCR office management and staff administration. Should be conversant in the current priorities in the organisation and existing mechanisms within the organisation to implement those priorities.
Desirable
Working experience both in UNHCR HQ and/or a Regional Office and the Field.

Functional Skills
IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
MG-Office Management
HR-Administration of Staff Contracts and Benefits
IT-Computer Literacy
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

The position of the Head of Field Office (HoFO) in Tyre requires strong and proven managerial competencies, maturity, and impartiality to lead a team of fifty-six staff in an environment where Lebanon is experiencing unprecedented economic and financial crises and other challenges.

In a volatile region in the South of Lebanon, the incumbent should be an experienced senior manager with demonstrated leadership and diplomatic skills, to be able to collaborate with the local authorities, the UN peacekeeping mission in the area and other actors on the ground. Prior experience with inter-agency coordination, security risk management and UN Civil-Military Cooperation is an asset as the incumbent co-chairs the South region Inter-Agency and is a member of the UN Security Management Team. The incumbent should also have good negotiation experience to manage tensions between the refugees and local communities.

Against this backdrop, the incumbent should be highly familiar with UNHCR in-house tools, as well as emergency planning and response structures, including the activation/adoption of Business Continuity Plan. The incumbent should also possess technical knowledge of programmatic structures and internal HR rules and regulations encompassing the management of a large office and team as well as field protection experience, either first-hand or through management of protection teams. In a context of rising needs and decreasing resources, the incumbent should preferably possess previous experience in efforts to (re-) strategize and prioritize in terms of UNHCR’s operational and protection work, coupled with experience in internal change management processes, including measures to enhance efficiency and internal agility. The incumbent should also have a proven record of good office management experience to maintain a peaceful working environment and overall integrity of the office and be ready to implement sometimes unpopular senior management policies.

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Arabic,

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Head of Field Office (HoFO) will provide managerial leadership and oversight to ensure UNHCR's effective fulfillment of its protection and solutions mandate in the Tyre duty station, which covers the South and Nabatieh Governorates. The geographical area of operation spans over 3,000km2, nearly 30% of the total size of Lebanon. There are 264 municipalities, almost 25% of the total number of municipalities in Lebanon, along with 12 unions of municipalities.

The HoFO is part of the wider Lebanon senior management team, and together with other Head of Offices elsewhere in the country, contributes to shaping UNHCR Lebanon’s strategic protection and operational policy. The HoFO is responsible and accountable for operationalizing the MENA Bureau and Lebanon operation objectives and policies into effective programs. Through a continuous process of situational analysis, the HoFO works with the team to identify strategic objectives and develop coherent, consistent and effective responses to the challenges faced. The HoFO is responsible for ensuring the adequate provision of technical support and guidance to the office to fulfill their accountabilities, including those outlined in the Terms of Reference of UNHCR offices, as well as the Age, Gender and Diversity Accountability Framework. The HoFO works to ensure that UNHCR is widely perceived as an effective and trusted partner, and is responsible for creating effective networks, relationships, partnerships and synergies with the government, NGOs, relevant regional political actors, civil society, refugees and displaced population and all other key strategic interlocutors. The HoFO lends visibility to important strategic issues, promotes concerted action and the commitment of sufficient resources and expertise to address important matters of concern to UNHCR on protection to refugees and displaced population and vulnerable Lebanese.

The southern region of Lebanon is host to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) peacekeeping mission, which is mandated to monitor the cessation of hostilities, restore international peace and security, and to assist the Government of Lebanon in re-establishing the authority of the State. The area of responsibility from both a security and political angle is a very sensitive region, which makes the delivery of protection and assistance towards refugees quite challenging. In this regard, the HoFO will have to demonstrate maturity, seniority, solid judgment, leadership and political astuteness and insightfulness. Relevant experience, skills and competencies are essential to operate and lead UNHCR intervention in southern Lebanon.

Twelve years into the Syria crisis, Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita. There are no formal camps for Syrian refugees in Lebanon and the refugees and forcibly displaced population are scattered across the two Governorates, living in informal tented settlements in urban dwellings. The HoFO should be able to lead a team to propose innovative approaches dealing with the protracted caseload and mitigate tensions among the local and refugee and forcibly displaced populations. The environment is becoming challenging and has led to an increased number of protection incidents, evictions, and tensions requiring adequate response.

The South Governorate also hosts the highest concentration of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, with 5 out of 12 official Palestinian refugee camps located in the South Governorate, 3 of which are in the UNIFIL area of operation.

The HoFO is a part of the Lebanon operation’s Senior Management Team and reports directly to the Representative and maintains close communication and collaboration with the Deputy Representative and other sectors in the Country Office.

Living and Working Conditions:

Lebanon continues to host the highest number of refugees per capita and per square kilometre in the world. As of 28 February 2023, there are 820,160 refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR in Lebanon, including 808,088 Syrian refugees and 12,072 refugees and asylum seekers of other nationalities. The Government of Lebanon estimates that there are 1.5 million displaced Syrians living in Lebanon. Refugees live across nearly all municipalities in Lebanon in both within urban and rural areas, as well as in informal tented settlements. Since 2021, the Vulnerability Assessment for Syrian Refugees (VASyR) indicates that 9 out of 10 Syrian refugees are living in extreme poverty, even with assistance, up from 55% in 2019.

UNHCR co-leads with UNDP and the Government of Lebanon the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP), a joint, multi-year plan between the Government of Lebanon and 126 international and national partners developed to assist more than 3.2 million crisis-affected people living in Lebanon and including displaced Syrians, Palestinian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese host communities.  The LCRP appeal for 2023 is $3.34 billion.

Compounding the refugee situation are the unprecedented economic and financial crises that Lebanon is facing, which have contributed to a substantial deterioration of the socio-economic situation since 2019 and affected everyone, including refugees and Lebanese people.

Lebanon is currently amid an unprecedented combination of an economic and financial crisis, extensive unemployment, political instability, and a negative rhetoric against Syrian refugees. On 31 October 2022 Lebanon officially entered an institutional vacuum in both the Presidency and Premiership. This have created a heightened tension environment that might evolve into politically motivated protests, intermittent skirmishes, and terrorist attacks in the coming period if the impasse continues to be prolonged. Subsequently, the current notable increase in crime rate, banks break-ins, prison break and smuggling of individuals by sea, are likely to continue at the light of the large proliferation of weapons, but also the limited capacity of security authorities given the financial crises. UN staff remain indirectly affected by crime.

Deterioration of the basis support services are affecting the overall living conditions across the country. Major challenge is the provision of reliable electricity supply across the country. Many of the residential buildings had installed generator-based back-up systems, however due to diesel shortages and increased fuel prices, electricity cuts are noticeable, between 6 to 20 hours a day.  The cost of reliable electrify supply increased significantly and can be up to USD1,000 per month. The shortage in medical supplies, availability of medical specialists also needs to be considered during the application process. Due to collapse in the banking sector, many international staff are not using local banks for their finances and relying more on international bank accounts to make transfers or relying on transfers though financial service companies.

UNHCR in Lebanon has over 500 staff across offices in Beirut and Zahle (classified by ICSC in July 2023 as ‘B’ family duty stations), as well in Tripoli, Qobayat, and Tyre (classified as category ‘C’ family duty stations).

The timely issuing of the entry visas and residence permits has proven to be a challenge for UNHCR Lebanon, which may delay the staff member's assignment process, including their dependents. Even though personnel can visit Lebanon using the UNLP and will receive a 6-month visa upon arrival, but such visas cannot be converted into residency permit to regularize the stay of international staff in Lebanon. It is imperative that staff arriving from abroad to take up assignment in Lebanon has to secure an official visa to be approved by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government entities (if needed). The process of obtaining approvals on official visas varies with the type of visa granted. In normal situation it takes between 15 and 30 working days (depending on the type of visa). As for Residency permit process for international staff members and their dependents, it can only be initiated after securing the official visa and entering Lebanon using it.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Economics, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Management, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Personnel Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science

Certifications

HCR Management Learning Program – UNHCR, Programme Management (PM) 1 – UNHCR

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: StatelessCompetencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Bi-annual Compendium 2023 Part B – October 2023

Additional Information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance