Access and Liaison Senior Officer

Supporting Operations Director in building relationship with relevant authorities in Lebanon to ensure smooth operations of Concern Worldwide. Enhancing safety and security  procedures in order to ensure humanitarian access. This role involves developing and implementing security policies, procedures, and protocols to mitigate risks and respond to security incidents effectively.

Main duties & Responsibilities:

Access:

• Develop and maintain network of contacts with relevant stakeholders in the areas of operation of Concern Lebanon mission;
• Work with programme teams to increase acceptance in local communities where Concern implements projects;
• To conduct actor mapping for the local stakeholders and government agencies;
• Facilitating and following up to obtain legal and administrative documents related to the implementation of programmes in collaboration with the different technical departments;
• Coordinate closely with LAFI, submit weekly movements reports
• Support Country Management Team (CMT) in obtaining LAFI annual work permit;
•  Upon request, support CMT in communication and engagements with humanitarian agencies Lebanese authorities;

Liaison:

• Develop relationships with all relevant authorities on local and country level;
• Develop network of contacts with relevant authorities in Tripoli, Beirut and other areas of operations to support Concern’s operations in Lebanon.
• Maintain relation with Concern lawyer for relevant legal matter
• Ensure that visa approval process for international staff (both permanent and visitors) in Lebanon are done on timely manner;
• Together with Concern lawyer process residency permits and renewals for all international staff;
• Developing contacts with liaison officers of other humanitarian organizations to find synergies and collect information for CMT;
• Attending relevant sector meetings in Lebanon, with approval of OD;

Safety and Security:

• Engage country programme management and staff as well as staff at all levels to facilitate the adoption and compliance with the Concern’s Security Policy and Standards
• Undertake Security Risk Assessments for any and all emergency responses and humanitarian operations.
• Provide security management advice, guidance and support to the CMT and to the Emergency Team.
• Supporting Concern’s local NGO partners in terms of building their capacity in security management and secure programming.
• Promote the concept that security plans and guidelines should be jointly developed by the whole team to create ownership and encourage compliance.
• Promote the concept that security is an integral element of program design and operations and should be amongst the first planning considerations
• Develop and maintain comprehensive security plans and procedures.
• Conduct regular security assessments and risk analyses.
• Monitor and analyze the security environment in Lebanon, providing timely updates and recommendations to the Operations Director.
• Provide security training and briefings to staff.
• Ensure all staff are aware of and adhere to security protocols.
• Conduct drills and simulations to prepare staff for potential security incidents
• Lead the response to security incidents, ensuring the safety of staff and assets.
• Coordinate with local authorities and other stakeholders during emergencies.
• Report and document security incidents in accordance with CWW protocols and using the online reporting system in timely manner.
• Establish and maintain relationships with local security agencies, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Represent Concern Worldwide in security coordination meetings and forums.
• Prepare regular security reports for the Operations Director and CMT.

Other Support:

In addition to the duties and responsibilities mentioned above, the Access and Liaison Senior Officer may be required to:

• Support the CMT and advise them of possible actions or options in a time of crisis or emergency.
• Immediately advise staff and when necessary the CMT of events affecting or which could potentially affect staff safety or security or cause damage to assets.
• Coordinate information through the relevant reporting lines during serious security incidents.
• Assist with emergency evacuations in coordination with Head of Security, HQ. 
• Carry out any other relevant and reasonable duties as requested by the line manager. 

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Security Management, International Relations, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in access, security and liaison roles, preferably in a humanitarian or NGO setting.
• Strong understanding of the security context in Lebanon, in particular, and of the region in general
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and in challenging environments.
• Fluency in both English and Arabic.

Personal Attributes:

• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work on own initiative and proactively provide support.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Commitment to Concern Worldwide’s mission and values.

Job Location: Tripoli/ Beirut with frequent travels across the country

Emergency response:

Concern is committed to responding to emergencies efficiently and effectively to help affected people meet their basic needs, alleviate suffering and maintain their dignity. To this end, when emergencies strike and Lebanon Programme is to respond, you may be requested to actively participate in the response, regardless of location, and contribute to the efforts aimed at achieving the humanitarian objective of the organization.

Concern’s Core Competencies Requirements:

Managing yourself: aware of own abilities and areas for development, adapts and uses abilities to work well with others and help achieve Concern’s objectives

Individual Leadership: acts to inspire others by clearly articulating and demonstarting the values and principles that underpin concern’s work. Holds a sense of pride in Concern and loyalty to the organization. Supports others to achieve excellent results

Communication & Working with others: uses the most appropriate channel to share information with others both inside and outside Concern; adapts the message to meet the communication needs of the audience. Works effectively with others, gaining the most from people and situations

Delivering Results: Delivers on commitments, uses approprioate techniques to help achive agreed objectvies

Planning & Decision Making: systematically develops plans towards achieving objectives, makes clear, informed and timely decisions appropriate to the tole, in the interests of Concern and those we work with

Creativity & Innovation: Focused on continual improvement, seeks out, develops and successfully implements new ideas that further organizational priorities and the needs of those we work with, builds on proven approaches, evaluates and learns from ongoing work to improve it

Influence, advocacy, and networking: Engages with others inside and outside the organization to promote the interests of Concern and those we work with, gathers and shares a wider knowledge of issues relevant to Concern’s work

Change: Responds positively and constructively to change, managers to take part in change processes in a way that is appropriate to role in the organization

Strategy: focusing on extreme pool & most vulnerable, managing risk, and making decisions

People: Leading by example, motivating & developing, and communicating & influencing

Impact: leading change, driving performance, and removing barriers to delivery

Concern Code of Conduct and its Associated Policies

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies.