Office/Unit/Project Descriptionย
On 27 November 2024, a cessation of hostilities (CoH) agreement signed by Israel and Lebanon entered into force, putting a halt to over 13 months of escalating hostilities. By the time the agreement was announced, the violence had resulted in over 3,961 deaths (including 736 women and 248 children) and over 16,520 injured (MoPH-12/2024), as well as extensive damage and loss to civilian and critical infrastructure and utilities.
The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are and have remained the backbone of Lebanonโs security and stability, and the institution most trusted by the people of Lebanon. With the violence halted, the LAF play a critical role in ensuring the credible and timely implementation of the CoH, in responding to emergency crisis, and conducting removal of unexploded ordnances operations. Additionally, the LAF are key to strengthening the Stateโs security presence and function and ensuring the โextension of the control of the Government of Lebanon over all Lebanese territoryโ as per UNSC 1701. The effective functioning and operational readiness of the LAF are a sine qua non condition for laying the foundation for a sustainable and stable recovery process.
However, the LAF have not been spared by the multidimensional crisis. The institution and its service members are at the frontline of the response, while being themselves profoundly affected by the effects of the crises and of the violence. The economic and financial downward spiral has dramatically impacted their well-being, morale and operational readiness. Where the LAF were already struggling to maintain and procure essential equipment, they now must cope with the increased responsibility of recruiting and equipping 6,000 service members, ensuring a smooth and effective positioning in the south of the country, all while undertaking large-scale and urgent UXOs/mine actions operations and maintaining security along the remaining borders. At the same time, the LAF must address an additional challenge that is instrumental to the success of their mission and to the country moving forward: strengthening the relationship with the population of southern Lebanon, one that has traditionally been more muted towards the LAF presence and role.ย
At this critical juncture, recognizing the essential role of the LAF in supporting early recovery of affected communities and livelihoods in alignment with UNSC resolutions, UNDP is introducing a comprehensive initiative to strengthen the capacities of the Lebanese Armed Forces as a cornerstone of stabilization efforts.
The focus on supporting demining and civil-military cooperation functions extends beyond the immediate threat to people's lives. Explosive ordnance (EO) and unexploded ordnance (UXO) impact livelihoods, access to infrastructure, social services, and essential natural resources needed for restoring lives and overall socio-economic activities. Therefore, ensuring safe access and stabilization is crucial to building lasting trust, peace, and recovery.
Strengthening capacities of the Lebanese Armed Forces enabling stability and early recovery of affected communities and livelihoods project requires the following: ย
Supporting urgent removal of rubble and unexploded ordnance.ย ย Supporting LAF high impact stabilization interventions.ย ย Enhancing LAF civil and miliary cooperation (CIMIC) and coordination. ย Procuring essential equipment & supplies to enhance LAF operational readiness & deployment in southern Lebanon.Scope of Workย
Under the direct guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Officer will be conducting the following:ย
a) Ensure effective project planning, monitoring and implementation
Support the development of the annual workplans, as well as quarterly workplans and corresponding plans contributing to the achievement of targeted outputs specified in the project document, in coordination with the Project Manager and key project partners; Lead on the realization of project outputs and results through activities in line with the agreed upon timetables and budgets, and monitor progress;ย Manage day-to-day operations of the project activities to ensure sound implementation, and report to Project Manager; Review quarterly and annual reporting of the project; Monitor project progress against the annual work plan and report to the Project Manager; Ensure that bidding documents are prepared in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations, and monitor contract deliverables; Review and/or prepare Terms of Reference for required inputs, with expert technical support as required; Regularly review and evaluate the performance of outsourced activities, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective measures as needed; Support resource mobilization efforts and project development; Ensure timely communication and visibility of project activities and outputs;b) Ensure effective project coordination
Coordinate closely with relevant LAF departments (CIMIC, engineering regiment), stakeholders and partners to ensure smooth implementation of the outputs and synergies with among others the civil military coordination cell, mine action sub-sector and Debris Task Force; Coordinate with relevant UNDP projects to ensure synergies and leverage expertise as needed to deliver as required; Conduct routine meetings with national partners and serve as a liaison officer between the local authorities and central authorities; Supervise consultants and evaluate their performance in delivering individual outputs asย ย ย described in the TOR; Fruitful collaboration and establishment of strong working relationships with national authorities, NGOs, civil society organizations, UN agencies, and other relevant partners; andย Undertake other relevant tasks as required by the Project Manager.c) Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:ย
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.ย Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices on security related issues;ย Develop, in coordination with the project team and partners lessons learned exercise, and recommendations on the way forward.Competenciesย Core Competencies Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvementsย Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexibleย Act with Determination:ย LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discriminationย
UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicatedย site. ย
Cross-Functional & Technical competenciesย Thematic Area Name Definition Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. Business Management Results-Based Management Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.ย Business Management Communication
Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels.
Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA
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Min. Academic Education Advanced University Degree (master's degree or equivalent) in international relations, law, human rights, public policy management, social sciences, development cooperation, or other related fields is required; orย A first level university degree (bachelorโs degree ) in the related fields with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degreeย Min. years of relevant Work experienceย A minimum of 2 years (with masterโs degree or equivalent) or 4 years (with bachelorโs degree) of professional work experience in project implementation in the field of stabilization, recovery and/or resilience programming is required. Required skillsย Demonstrated experience in effective networking with capacities to establish and maintain strong working relationships with donors, government officials, local organizations, communities, and other stakeholders. Demonstrated experience in project management and financial skills;Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies sectionย
Previous experience in with the United Nations and/or UN or other internationally funded development projects in relevant tasks is desirable. Previous experience in providing support for similar projects/ programmes is desirable. Previous experience in proposal writing is desirable. Required Language(s)ยFluency in English and Arabic is required.ย
Knowledge of French is an asset
Professional Certificates N/AInstitutional Arrangement
The incumbent will be working under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager of theย LAF project/s.ย
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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