Field Associate

Deadline for ApplicationsJanuary 15, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)D

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA6

Target Start Date2026-02-02

Terms of ReferenceDesired Candidate Profile:

• The Field Associate position requires a candidate with a strong mix of skills related to communication, teamwork, project management, emergency response, cash programming, CRI management and shelter projects in addition to data/information management, assessments, monitoring and reporting.

• The Field Associate must have good knowledge and understanding of protection principles, exercise community and rights-based approach in all activities, demonstrate deep understanding of linkages of protection mandate and operational delivery.

• (Government Liaison functions) The Field Associate needs solid diplomatic skills and context sensitive attitude in establishing, sustain, and manage a wide range of institutional relations with partners, counterparts and other stakeholders. As well as she/he must be able to keep a very high political awareness on the developments which may impact the protection environment and UNHCR programme.

• (External Relations function) The Field Associate needs strong organization skills to tailor field visits to the needs of different stakeholders. She/he must have solid drafting skills in English to produce succinct and tailored agendas and briefing documents; a working knowledge of social media is also useful to assist in content gathering missions and to research and suggest content stories from the field.

• (Emergency Response & Analysis) Ability to quickly assess information from multiple sources, conduct field visits and rapid assessments, analyze and clearly report on key situational updates while referring to relevant staff/actors/sectors is required.

• (Monitoring and Reporting) Ability to monitor key UNHCR programs in the field, provide technical support to partners, and report regularly on progress. This will also include drafting reports and being able to manage data skills in information management particularly related to developing infographics would be a plus.

• (Project Management/ Planning & Organization) Oversee delivery of assistance including cash, CRIs and shelter; ensure PoC and vulnerable groups are integrated into response mechanisms and provide feedback into programme design is required. This includes collecting and addressing community feedback, supporting the development of complaint and feedback mechanisms, and ensuring transparency and accountability in program implementation

• (Stakeholders and Client Orientation): Experience with working with PoCs, humanitarian actors, local authorities in in addition to professional demeanor. Familiarity with training and consultations with PoCs and partners is a plus.

• (Communication and Teamwork) Professional experience working in emergency situations, an awareness of cultural and social context, liaising with NGO and UN partners and strong knowledge of the UN coordination system and humanitarian principles. The Field Associate must be able to facilitate training or orientation sessions for community members, volunteers, and local partners, and to mobilize community-based structures for effective implementation and outreach.

• Knowledge of technical shelter and Information Management skills, specifically skills in managing and deduplicating large amounts of data, would be considered a plus.

• Any other duties as assigned by the Head of Field Office

TERMS OF REFERENCE:

1. General Background

The region is administratively split into two governorates: Akkar and the North. The North includes Tripoli and the surrounding districts: El Koura, El Batroun, Zgharta, Minieh Dennieh, and Bcharre. The two governorates span over 2025 km2 and include 273 municipalities. The area is composed of diverse religious groups, with the majority of the population being Sunni and Christian, and a lesser population of Alawite and Shiite communities. Tripoli, Lebanon’s second largest city and the center of the North Governorate, has been facing immense challenges for decades making it one of Lebanon’s poorest and most marginalized cities. Similarly, in Akkar the situation is even more dire, with the poverty rate soaring to 62% in 2022, the highest in the country, up from 22% in 2012. Akkar suffers from weak administrative capabilities and a high dependence on central government. The few regional public services and institutions remain largely located in the North governorate, covering both governorates – further delaying and hindering the support to infrastructure and access of local communities in Akkar to the government. The most vulnerable population resides near the shared 100 km border with Syria. Due to the region’s proximity to the border with its three official border crossing points- all currently closed following the bombardment during the recent hostilities, (El Bqaiaa, El Abboudieh, and El Arida), as well as largely interlinked Syrian and Lebanese lands, the conflict in Syria had a significant spillover unto the local economy in Akkar and North. Before the Syrian war, the region largely relied on trade, economic, and commercial activities in Syria.

The UNHCR Field-Office in Tripoli was first established in May 2011 as a larger office counting on a larger workforce. UNHCR’s engagement in Northern Lebanon is now supported by a team of approximately 35 dedicated members mainly across Protection and Field functions and it extends its collaboration with government institutions, NGOs, many operational partners across different sectors.

The Field Associate is supervised by the Head of Office and performs a variety of functions related to Field activities within the office. The supervisor defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance.

The incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information, to establish understanding of respective needs; to ensure provision of services and resolution of problems and with the external contacts generally with officials of national and international institutions, leaders of the refugee community, local population and/or Partners on subject matters which may be of importance to the Organization.

Given the latest changes in the structure the incumbent will also be tasked to support functions related to “External Relations” and “Government Liaising” in the area of responsibility (AOR) of UNHCR Field Office Tripoli.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

- Monitor the situation in the AoR, collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly.
- Monitor the implementation of UNHCR programme including the delivery of all assistance items and monitoring of infrastructure.
- Undertake regular visits to various sites in order to assess needs of persons of concern, with particular attention to vulnerable groups.
- Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor.
- Act as interpreter when required.
- Contribute to the preparation of status and progress reports by providing info, preparing tables, etc.
- Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions.
- Inform and act on the reports received on persons of concern within the refugee community or from the local authorities.
- In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
- Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
- Represent UNHCR in physical monitoring of projects.
- Support the Head of Field Office and Field Office’s team in establishing and maintaining regular contacts with local governments, authorities and key institutions operating within the AOR.
- Stay abreast and report relevant developments related to local governments, authorities and key institutions operating within the AOR which can impact UNHCR operation and the overall protection environment for POCs.
- Support the Head of Field Office and countrywide External Relations colleagues with donor field missions, including formulating agendas and key background documents; supporting with donor visibility including photographs and other related tasks as necessary.
- Support Public Information/Comms content gathering missions to assist in sourcing compelling stories and assisting with logistical needs and case studies.
- Perform other related duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

Working objectives will be defined between the incumbent and the supervisor and periodical checks-in will be undertaken to understand the progress of the staff towards them.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education: 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher in Business Administration, Law, Political Science, International relations, Communication and media, Public administration and Management.

b. Work Experience:
Required experience: 3 years of working experience in humanitarian settings related to refugee and other displaced persons’ protection and assistance. Previous exposure to tasks and responsibilities related to external relations and/or government liaison functions.

Desirable experience: Previous work with UN and/or NGOs. Deep knowledge of the North and Akkar governorates in term of institutional and civil society stakeholders. Previous work experience in similar positions in Lebanon. Previous work experience or direct exposure to international donors operating in Lebanon.

c. Key Competencies

Required competencies:

- Full fluency in English and Arabic and high level of computer literacy; strong drafting skills for different audiences.

- Strong mix of skills related to communication, teamwork, project management, emergency response, cash programming, CRI management and shelter projects in addition to data/information management, assessments, monitoring and reporting.

- Good knowledge and understanding of protection principles, community and rights-based approaches in humanitarian.

- Demonstrated diplomatic skills and context sensitive attitude in establishing, sustain, and manage a wide range of institutional relations with partners, counterparts, donors and other stakeholders.

Desired competencies:

- Skills acquired in the areas of external relations, government liaison or protection/assistance of refugees with UNHCR and/or partners in Lebanon.

- Skillset related to innovation and creativity in carrying out the task assigned.

Standard Job Description

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Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

RemoteNo