UNV - Associate Protection Officer– GBV/DI

UN Entity: UNHCR

Assignment Context:
Through the Lebanon Response Plan, UNHCR and partners respond to the ongoing impact of the Syria crisis on Lebanon, including ensuring protection, providing immediate assistance to people with specific needs, delivering emergency humanitarian assistance and reinforcing Lebanon’s economic, social and environmental stability. The Government of Lebanon estimates that it hosts 1.5 million Syrian refugees and around 11,200 refugees of other nationalities. At the same time, Lebanon is facing its worst economic crisis in decades. Refugees in Lebanon are struggling to survive, with 9 out of 10 households living in extreme poverty. The deepening political and economic crises in Lebanon have had a significant socio-economic impact on all populations, with increasing protection risks and vulnerabilities among refugees. Alongside narrowing protection space and rising anti-refugee sentiment, the level of resilience of refugee families is eroding, with reports of families increasingly resorting to negative mechanisms, at risk of exploitation and other protection vulnerabilities.

The compounding socioeconomic crisis in Lebanon crisis has further exacerbated root causes of gender-based violence (GBV) in the private and public sphere, including existing cultural and social norms and power imbalances. This has rendered women, girls, and marginalized groups already at risk of GBV even more vulnerable and negatively impacted their access to services. As refugee and host community members experience deepening poverty and encounter increasing challenges to meet basic needs, GBV response actors are observing a rise in intimate partner violence. Moreover, increases in hostility and negative rhetoric against displaced Syrians, manifested through restrictive measures including curfews and check points, result in limited mobility. This, in turn, leads to those at risk and survivors of GBV facing increasing challenges claiming their rights within the progressively paralyzed legal system in Lebanon. Further, women and girls are facing a growing risk of harassment from employers and landlords.

Task description:
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Associate Protection Officer (CP/GBV/PWSN) or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the International UNV Associate Protection Officer will support:

Implementation of UNHCR’s Global Policies and Standards
- Contribute to the effective and timely development, implementation and monitoring of a clear and coherent multi-year and multi-sectoral GBV strategy as part of the operation’s broader Protection Approach 2024+, coordinate timely reporting on progress including the documentation of promising practices.
- Participate in the promotion of compliance with UNHCR’s global GBV policy, priorities and commitments (aligned with policies on age, gender, diversity (AGD) and accountability to affected populations (AAP), child protection, gender equality, and youth empowerment. This includes protection officers, program managers, field staff, and other relevant personnel who work within the framework of UNHCR’s mandate to protect and support refugees and other displaced persons.
- Assist UNHCR management at country level to strengthen alignment with the survivor-centred approach and GBV guiding principles within the implementation of PSEA policies.
Planning / Programming
- Support the development and implementation of programming for specialized GBV prevention and response based on needs, risks and capacity assessments at the onset of an emergency and throughout all phases of displacement.
- Participate in conducting, consolidating and reporting on GBV assessments including gender equality components at least once per year, linked to annual planning processes and participatory assessments and sharing strategic trends analyses.

Capacity Development, Technical Support and Coordination
- Provide technical guidance and support field colleagues to operationalise and comply with UNHCR’s GBV policy, priorities and commitments (aligned with policies on AGD and AAP, child protection, youth empowerment and gender equality), as well as the operation’s GBV strategy aligned with the operation’s Protection Approach 2024+
- Provide coaching and trainings on GBV as well as technical support on gender and GBV mainstreaming
- Support and build capacity and systems for individual GBV case management for survivors and persons at-risk of GBV.
- Ensure safe and ethical GBV data collection and reporting is functioning and regular reporting is done on GBV, including through UNHCR data management systems (PRIMES) and protection monitoring processes. Promote the use of the GBV module of PRIMES or another GBV information management system that provides for safe and ethical data collection and analysis. Where applicable, support reporting under the Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence (MARA).

Partnerships
- Support the capacity development of staff, partners and other stakeholders to address GBV and to promote gender equality and the empowerment of displaced women and girls.
- Strengthen partnerships including with UN agencies, governments, civil society and with displaced and host communities, to prevent, mitigate, and respond to GBV, to promote gender equality and to ensure age and gender-informed protection and solution programs.
- Support the application of community-based approaches in GBV programming and communities considered as key stakeholders.

Disability Mainstreaming:
- Ensure that the GBV strategy incorporates and addresses the specific needs of persons with disabilities.
- Promote the inclusion considerations for persons with disabilities in all GBV prevention and response activities.
- Work with disability-focused organizations and stakeholders to enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of GBV programs, services and referral pathways.

- Perform other related duties as required.

Required experience
3 years of experience in functions of GBV, of which two years in the field and having experience in the field of GBV prevention, mitigation and response, broader protection or social work involving empowerment of women and girls, gender, child protection, mental health, counselling and working with survivors, humanitarian and development issues.
• Applied experience in survivor-centred approach, GBV guiding, and case management principles related to GBV programs. Demonstrated knowledge in gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls and in applying, promoting, and integrating gender analysis into humanitarian programming.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and implementation of multi-sectorial responses to GBV and support to other sectors to mainstream GBV prevention, risk mitigation and response. Demonstrated knowledge and application of GBV prevention theory and appropriate GBV prevention and behaviour change strategies at different stages of the humanitarian response. Knowledge and demonstrated use of UNHCR and Interagency GBV tools and Guidance.
• Knowledge on child protection programming is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience of participatory approaches to engaging with and mobilizing communities. Good understanding of displacement and protection issues including, child protection, education and the application of the Age, Gender and Diversity Policy is an asset.
• Excellent oral and written skills in english; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in Refugee protection, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Arabic, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Inclusivity statement:
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds.

Living conditions and remarks
As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in Beirut. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.

National UN Specialist Volunteers in Lebanon are entitled to:

• Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of USD 1,606.58
• Annual and learning leaves;
• Medical and life Insurance
• Free access to different learning platforms.

For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit:
https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service