Community Engagement Specialist / AAP, P3, PN# 123298, Beirut, Lebanon, Temporary Appointment

Unicef is looking for an AAP/CE Specialist to providing technical and operational support in the management, coordination and implementation of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) interventions, ensuring views, preferences and priorities of affected populations are incorporated into all stages of the Country Office programme cycle and effectively inform the humanitarian response plans.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Accountability

UNICEF started to work in Lebanon in 1948 and established its office in 1950. For more than 70 years we’ve been working closely with the Government of Lebanon, other UN agencies, international and local NGOs, universities, and more than 100 partners to meet the needs of disadvantaged children in Lebanon. Responding to life-saving needs and ensuring equal access to quality public services, the impact of our work is felt in every aspect and every sphere of society. To learn more about our work, please refer to: https://www.unicef.org/lebanon/what-we-do

How can you make a difference?

Strategic Office Context and purpose for the job

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Strategic office context:

UNICEF aims to put affected children, adolescents and their families at the centre of its work, as reflected in the Core Commitments for Children and a number of global commitments. This requires all UNICEF programmes, systems and procedures to systematically include participation of and accountability to affected populations (AAP) across all elements of the response, including through feedback mechanisms that ensure that the views and preferences from affected boys, girls, men and women inform decision- making, and that UNICEF staff and partners understand, respect and systematically take their views into    account.

Purpose for the job:

Under the direct supervision of the Representative/Deputy Representative and in collaboration with Chiefs of UNICEF Sections, the Accountability to Affected Populations/Community Engagement (AAP/CE) Specialist is responsible for providing technical and operational support in the management, coordination and implementation of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) interventions, ensuring views, preferences and priorities of affected populations are incorporated into all stages of the Country Office programme cycle and effectively inform the humanitarian response plans.

Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1.           Coordinating the design and implementation of strategies and action plans to scale up Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and Community Engagement (CE) interventions and processes in the Country Programme

2.           Supporting advocacy, networking and capacity building for improved understanding of and  adoption of AAP principles and approaches

3.           Representing and coordinating collective AAP approaches and initiatives in the humanitarian  response

4.           Strengthening AAP evidence generation, innovation and knowledge management.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in social and behavioral science, sociology, anthropology, psychology, education, communication, public relations or other related field is required.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in the humanitarian sector with significant field experience working on AAP/CCE interventions in technical and/or leadership role. Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing evidence-based community engagement strategies in humanitarian contexts.

• Experience in designing and facilitating participatory sensitization and capacity building sessions at different levels with diverse, multicultural teams
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team in a challenging and highly fluid environment, flexibility and ability to handle constant change
• Proven ability to live and work in challenging physical conditions
• Relevant experience in related areas in a UN agency or international organization is an asset.

 Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

 JD AAP CE Specialist Lebanon P3.docx

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter:  https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels:  competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates from industrial countries are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.