UNV Programme Assistant

UN Entity: UNOCHA

Assignment Context:
The Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) is managed by OCHA Lebanon and is one of OCHA’s Country-Based Pooled Funds (CBPFs), humanitarian financing mechanisms funding services to support the most vulnerable in Lebanon. Since its establishment, the LHF has allocated over US $160 million to support critical humanitarian needs in Lebanon while supporting a coherent and effective humanitarian response. Over 90 percent of LHF funding to date has gone to national and international NGOs.
LHF was a critical funding source in 2024 allocating $60 million through 47 partners and 89 projects supporting life-saving humanitarian needs among all population groups. Under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator, the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (LHF) is a flexible country-based pooled funding mechanism (CBPF) responding quickly and efficiently in this changing context, while still retaining accountable, inclusive and transparent processes. Evidence-based priorities identified by humanitarian sectors underpinned the three allocations launched in 2024 and in line with the LHF’s person-centered approach, all funded projects targeted those most vulnerable profiles of people, including the elderly, people with special needs and those with chronic medical conditions.

The LHF is also a tool to promote a more inclusive and accountable response, prioritizing cross-cutting issues in its allocations including Gender, Disability, Cash programming and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (PSEA). As a priority for the LHF, 41% of its funding was programmed through national NGO partners, allocating $14.6 million directly and indirectly through national partners and continued to support strengthened participation and inclusion of NNGOs in decision-making, analysis and response planning through funding to the national NGO forum.

Task description:
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Fund Manager or his/her designated mandated representative(s) – in close coordination with the Humanitarian Fund Unit, the UN Volunteer Programme Assistant will:

• Support the Humanitarian Financing Unit Programs team in the daily functions of managing the LHF-funded projects. The role involves close liaison with the LHF Programme Officer and Programme Assistant, but also with OCHA HQ colleagues in the Country-based Pooled Funds Section on issues where support is required, and LHF-funded and potential partners (national and international NGOs, Red Cross/Red Crescent and UN agencies).
• Support the Programme team in monitoring aspects of LHF Risk Management work to validate and analyze project implementation, including preparing documentation in advance of missions, liaising with partners to arrange meetings and joining Programme Officer on field visits to project locations.
• Work closely with the LHF Programme Team to ensure the smooth running of LHF-funded grants. This includes ensuring documentation related to partner project reporting and monitoring outcomes are accurately reflected in the online systems, and all timelines for partner submission of reports are tracked and submissions are dealt with in a timely manner.
• Work closely with the LHF Finance Team to ensure coherence in communication with partners on LHF finance and programme-related documentation in online systems.
• Continuously liaise and support partners with questions and concerns in a timely and supportive manner.
• Support the Programme Assistant in conducting Induction meetings explaining to prospective partners the scope of work of the LHF, its purpose, and its general practices in addition to guiding the organization in the registration process and the different criteria to be eligible for funding.
• Support to the LHF Programme Assistant in LHF Partner’s eligibility process including the partners’ preliminary screening, Capacity Assessment and Due Diligence Processes by liaising with partners to collect, analyze and assess partner documentation to complete eligibility processes. Join where necessary Induction meetings explaining to prospective partners the scope of work of the LHF, its purpose, and its general practices in addition to guiding the organization in the registration process and the different criteria to be eligible for funding.
• Support the Programme team in analyzing data reported by Implementing Partners (Progress and Final Narrative Reports) to ensure achievement of objectives and ask for additional information/documents when needed.
• Support the Programme team in analyzing revisions including and not limited to No cost extension requests and proceed when appropriate with the issuance of the amended grant agreement.
• Support the HFU during allocation periods in taking notes during Strategic Review Committee meetings, updating partner scoring sheets in the online system and perform other tasks as required during this busy period twice per year.

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

Required Experience:
• At least 3 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in the development or humanitarian fields or other relevant programs; experience with NGOs is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;
• Strong theoretical and practical background in a social science, including if possible analytical experience;
• Demonstrated adequate technical experience and know-how to undertake the necessary analytical work needed to identify NGO’s weaknesses and needs;
• Knowledge and/or experience with OCHA and humanitarian coordination mechanisms;
• Experience in conducting multi-stakeholder consultation process;
• Excellent oral and written skills; 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 humanitarian work, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

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
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy.

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, Lebanon. 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 1,606.56
• 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