Durable Solutions Associate

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)D

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA6

Target Start Date2025-07-01

Deadline for ApplicationsJune 14, 2025

Terms of ReferenceLebanon continues to host the highest number of refugees per capita and per square kilometre in the world. The Government of Lebanon estimates that there are 1.4 million displaced Syrians living in Lebanon in addition to some 11,200 refugees of other nationalities as well as asylum seekers. Refugees live across nearly all municipalities in Lebanon in both urban and rural areas, as well as in informal tented settlements. The 2023 Vulnerability Assessment for Syrian Refugees in Lebanon (VASyR) indicates that 9 out of 10 Syrian refugees continue relying on humanitarian assistance to survive.
Under the auspices of the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator, UNHCR co-led the planning process to develop a new, integrated humanitarian and stabilization response framework in 2025. The new ‘Lebanon Response Plan’ (LRP) will seek to respond comprehensively to the impact of the multiple crises in Lebanon on both people and institutions in a holistic and integrated manner.

Since the fall of the Assad government in Syria on 8 December 2024, UNHCR has updated its position on the Voluntary Return of Syrian refugees to Syria. While UNHCR is not currently promoting large-scale voluntary repatriation to Syria, it is supporting Syrian refugees who fully informed, voluntarily choose to return to Syria in safety and dignity. UNHCR released its Regional Operational Framework for Voluntary Return to Syria in February 2025 to operationalize support to Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries who voluntarily choose to return to Syria. In Lebanon, within the UNHCR-led Durable Solutions Working Group (DSWG), an Inter-Agency Voluntary Return Action Plan has been drafted and endorsed; and equally socialized with the ISCG and the Government of Lebanon to implement a common blueprint for the voluntary return of up to 400,000 refugees to Syria in 2025. As part of the Action Plan, UNHCR in coordination with the Government of Lebanon, UN agencies, NGO and donor partners, will implement several pathways for voluntary return, including structured “go-and-see” visits, UNHCR-supported self-organized voluntary return and UNHCR/IOM organized voluntary return programmes; in addition to supporting community-led initiatives for voluntary return.

UNHCR in Lebanon has over 300 staff across offices in Beirut (classified by ICSC as ‘C’ family duty station), as well in Zahle, Tripoli, Qobayat (classified as category ‘D’ family duty stations). The current overall situation in the region is closely monitored and the applicants should be aware of overall developments in the security situation on the ground that may affect the classification of the duty stations.

The region is administratively split into two governorates: Akkar and the North. The North includes Tripoli and the surrounding districts: El Koura, El Batroun, Zgharta, Minieh Dennieh, and Bcharre. The two governorates span over 2025 km2 and include 273 municipalities. The area is composed of diverse religious groups, with the majority of the population being Sunni and Christian, and a lesser population of Alawite and Shiite communities. Tripoli, Lebanon’s second largest city and the center of the North Governorate, has been facing immense challenges for decades making it one of Lebanon’s poorest and most marginalized cities. Similarly in Akkar the situation is even more dire, with the poverty rate soaring to 62% in 2022, the highest in the country, up from 22% in 2012. Akkar suffers from weak administrative capabilities and a high dependence on the central government. The few regional public services and institutions remain largely located in the North governorate, covering both governorates – further delaying and hindering the support to infrastructure and access of local communities in Akkar to the government. The most vulnerable population resides near the shared 100 km border with Syria. Due to the region’s proximity to the border with its three official border crossing points- all currently closed following the bombardment during the recent hostilities, (El Bqaiaa, El Abboudieh, and El Arida), as well as largely interlinked Syrian and Lebanese lands, the conflict in Syria had a significant spillover unto the local economy in Akkar and North. Before the Syrian war, the region largely relied on trade, economic, and commercial activities in Syria.

The UNHCR North Sub-Office was first established in May 2011. Currently, the area of operation is in the process of being downgraded to a field office to be based in Tripoli following a considerable reduction so will remain with a significantly reduced presence. UNHCR’s engagement in Northern Lebanon extends to collaboration with over 96 operational partners across different sectors.

This position aims to ensure the implementation of the Inter-Agency Voluntary Return Action Plan, to support the safe, dignified and voluntary return of up to 400,000 Syrian refugees in 2025 and a projected 300,000 Syrian refugees in 2026. The Durable Solutions Associate will manage and supervise a team of caseworkers processing return assessments, as well as act as Team Leader for return processing at the designated Return Centers. The Durable Solutions Associate will provide training and capacity-development to caseworkers and social workers on applicable principles and guidance on voluntary repatriation and oversee the implementation of Return SOPs. The incumbent will also provide guidance on community engagement activities aiming at disseminating information on return, collecting feedback and trends at community level on return, and individual complex cases, referring to the Associate Protection Officer, wherever required. The Durable Solutions Associate will also establish and maintain effective relationships with regional local authorities on return including the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), General Security Office (GSO) and Customs Department, to organize and facilitate the safe and dignified return of Syrian refugees, in accordance with the agreed framework and agreements. The incumbent will advocate and negotiate for the effective implementation of central policies related to exit formalities and waivers, and will identify and escalate issues related to the practical implementation of agreed upon waivers and arrangements to the Associate Protection Officer and Head of Field Office. The incumbent will, together with the Country Office focal points, provide capacity development for local authorities and partners on voluntary return. The Durable Solutions Associate will also be the focal point for liaising with IOM in the Field Offices on organized return convoys, including ensuring timely data sharing with IOM, based on agreed upon Data Sharing Agreement and SOPs.

The Durable Solutions Associate position will also conduct missions to the Return Centers (Community Development Centers) and the border crossing points as required to oversee the returns process and to establish relationships with local authorities at the official crossing points. The Durable Solutions Associate will also compile reports from the various teams on a regular basis and provide situational and organizational updates on the return program and operational challenges and constraints. The position requires very good knowledge and understanding of protection principles, including the principles and standards outlined in UNHCR’s Handbook on Voluntary Repatriation. Experience with case management, particularly with regard to durable solutions is an asset. Previous experience with supervision of staff and training and capacity-development of partners and local authorities also considered desirable. Previous experience with government liaison and coordination also highly desirable. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instruction, including adherence to UNHCR’s Code of Conduct, and implementation of UNHCRs Policies on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Anti-Fraud.

Desired Candidate Profile:
• The Durable Solutions Associate position requires a candidate with very good knowledge of UNHCRs Protection principles and policies, technical skills and experience with protection case management, strong communication and interpersonal skills including working with local authorities, partners and forcibly displaced populations, and excellent communication, drafting and coordination skills.
• Previous work experience in protection case management, including conducting case management reviews, in particular for durable solutions is highly desirable.
• Previous work experience with working and coordination with partners, as well as establishing relationships with local government authorities is considered highly desirable.
• Previous experience managing staff and working in large teams is highly desirable.
• (Accountability): Demonstrates professionalism and commitment to their work to achieve positive outcomes for forcibly displaced and stateless persons in Lebanon.
• (Communication): Good inter-personal skills engaging with colleagues, partners and forcibly displaced and stateless persons in Lebanon. Previous experience with protection case management desirable.
• (Negotiation): Knowledge of protocol, conflict sensitivity within the unique context of Lebanon and proven negotiation skills.
• (Stakeholder Management): Proven experience in facilitating relations with local authorities involved in return: border authorities, including GSO and Customs Department, representatives of line ministries such as MOIM, MOSA, MOFA, representatives of security agencies, LAF and other stakeholders is highly desirable.
• (Political & Situational Awareness): Political awareness, firm grasp of evolving situation and political events in Lebanon and Syria, and knowledge of conventions and international instruments relating to refugees and core protection principles, protection space, and protection context. Ability and experience of working and advocating on behalf of forcibly displaced and stateless persons with local authorities and communities would be required.
• (Teamwork and Collaboration): Ability to work effectively with colleagues and partners from different backgrounds, cultures and functions.
• (Client and Result Orientation): Good understanding of needs of forcibly displaced and stateless persons, and commitment to providing quality assessments.
• Willingness to support other duties, as required by the operational context.

Standard Job Description

Durable Solutions Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Durable Solutions Associate reports to a more senior Durable Solutions or Protection colleague.

The incumbent is relied upon to contribute to the implementation of a durable solutions strategy. S/he works closely with protection, programme and field staff, contributes to fostering an environment to enhance partnerships is a critical element of the work, as are activities designed to strengthen the involvement of refugee communities and their hosts in the design and implementation of solutions strategies.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Provide counselling to refugees and other persons of concern (POC) to identify the most appropriate durable solution and to enable them to make a well-informed decision.
- Interview candidates for voluntary repatriation and prepare documentation for their return, in line with Voluntary Repatriation SOPs.
- Interview and prepare Resettlement Referral Forms (RRF), in line with Resettlement SOPs.
- Interview candidates for local integration and prepare the appropriate documentation for onward submission to local authorities or partners, in line with Local Integration SOPs.
- Assist in updating the electronic database for resettlement, voluntary repatriation and local integration, in line with Standard Operating Procedures.
- Process documentation to ensure that POC receive the documents required for their durable solutions in a timely manner.
- Prepare statistical and ad-hoc reports to ensure accurate information is available and shared with relevant offices and partners.
- Interview and advise on the appropriate durable solution to be provided to POC.
- Prepare documents relating to durable solutions.
- Enter information into available database, in line with SOPs.
- Draft and submit reports relating to durable solutions.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
HCR Protection Induction Prog;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.
Desirable
Diverse field experience. Experience in interviewing.

Functional Skills
DM-Database Management
IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Required Languages

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,

Desired Languages

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Additional Qualifications

SkillsDM-Database Management, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software

Education

CertificationsHCR Protection Induction Prog - UNHCR

Work Experience

Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

RemoteNo