Associate Repatriation Officer (Temporary Appointment)

This position is open to internal and external applicants. Associate Repatriation Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

According to Government estimates there are 1.5 million displaced Syrians in Lebanon. This makes Lebanon the highest refugee-hosting country per capita in the world. At the same time, the number of spontaneous returns to Syria have slowly increased over the course of the last three years. In 2016, UNHCR is aware of 4,908 individual spontaneous returns from Lebanon to Syria; in 2017, this number rose to 11,053; and in 2018, UNHCR is aware of around 16,700 returns to Syria, of whom 5,595 returned individually, and 11,133 in group movements, primarily organized by the Lebanese General Security Office (GSO) . These figures encompass returns identified and confirmed by UNHCR, based on government sources and direct contacts between refugees and UNHCR. The actual number of refugee returns may be significantly higher.

Since 2017, UNHCR operations in host countries neighboring Syria, including Lebanon, have been conducting Return Perception and Intention Surveys (RPIS) as well as Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with Syrian refugees on their future return intentions, in order to understand the factors that will make refugees feel confident to return, and inform UNHCR¿s consequent efforts to help create the necessary conditions for safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable returns. The surveys and consultations UNHCR has undertaken with refugees in Lebanon show that around 85% of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon ultimately want to repatriate to Syria, but that the majority still see important obstacles to safe, dignified and sustainable returns.

While UNHCR Lebanon is contributing to efforts towards removing these obstacles, and securing the guarantees that will allow for large-scale voluntary returns facilitated by UNHCR, the Agency is also helping refugees opting to spontaneously return now to prepare themselves for re-establishment in Syria.

In this context, the Associate Repatriation Officer is a member of the UNHCR Repatriation Team in Beirut, and will assist the Team with the implementation of activities relating to voluntary repatriation, in particular in the context of current spontaneous returns.

The Associate Repatriation Officer reports to the Senior Repatriation Coordinator and receives functional guidance from the Senior Field Coordinator. The Senior Repatriation Assistant works closely with Protection, Community-Based Protection, Education, Health, Programme and Field staff in UNHCR, and ensures adherence to operational standards in repatriation in the respective areas of responsibility. The Associate Repatriation Officer also liaises with national and international actors engaged in various aspects of refugee repatriation, and contributes to discussions and the development of standards and procedures. 


FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- Repatriation policies and any applicable Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), are implemented in a manner that supports sustainable voluntary returns in safety and dignity, whether in the current context of spontaneous return or in the context of any subsequent UNHCR facilitated returns.
- Repatriation-related activities are conducted with the full participation and support of persons and communities of concern and relevant stakeholders.
- Repatriation/ return data is securely maintained in line with applicable SOPs, and analyzed for trends and appropriate responses.
- Age, Gender and Diversity as well as participatory approaches to repatriation are implemented.

Responsibility

- Implement activities in accordance with the voluntary repatriation strategy, with a view to ensuring that return is sustainable, voluntary, informed and takes place in safety and dignity.
- Organize sessions and consultations to seek information from and inform refugees and other stakeholders on all aspects of voluntary repatriation activities.
- Ensure and/or directly implement, as appropriate, effective data gathering and management.
- Mainstream AGD in all areas of work and ensure the full participation of returning refugees in matters relating to their own protection.
- Comply with UNHCR¿s policy priorities, such as those related to persons with particular vulnerabilities
- Assess needs of refugees; plan for adequate human and financial resources for voluntary repatriation operations.
- Coordinate with stakeholders and partners, as well as internal units, with regard to repatriation activities.
- Stay abreast of and analyse local political, economic, social and legal developments impacting on voluntary repatriation prospects and inform and discuss the same with Repatriation Team.
- Liaise with government officials and other stakeholders, and seek solutions to issues concerned with voluntary repatriation activities.


Authority

- Participate in the design and implementation of the voluntary repatriation strategy and related activities.
- Participate in the drafting and regular updating of any applicable Voluntary Repatriation related SOPs, outreach information and intentions activities in close consultation with UNHCR staff and partners, including refugee representatives.
- Represent UNHCR with relevant external partners in-country and across the border, as applicable.
- Draft and submit reports related to voluntary repatriation.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Law, International Law, Social Sciences or related field plus minimum 3 years of professional work experience. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) plus 2 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 1 year of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Very good reporting and writing skills.
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

***For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Work experience in large returnee operations is an asset.
- Ability to understand and implement UNHCR¿s policy and global strategic priorities, including as related to AGDM, IDP, Statelessness, and HIV/AIDS, in the area of responsibility where applicable at appropriate level.
- Good IT skills.
- Completion of the Protection Learning Programme.
- Field work experience desirable.
- Knowledge of additional UN languages. Competencies as defined in Job Profile For National Officer positions, very good knowledge of local language and local institutions is essential

Please also note that English is essential for this Job Opening. Closing Date 25 April 2019 Midnight Geneva Time.