JOB DESCRIPTION

Hardship Level

D

Family Type

Family

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

GS6

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2025-08-01

Deadline for Applications

July 20, 2025

Standard Job Description

Field Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Field Associate is normally supervised by the (Senior) Field Officer or Head of Office and performs a variety of functions related to Field activities within the office. The supervisor defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The Field Associate may supervise some General Service support staff.
The incumbent keeps frequent internal contacts with staff members in the same duty station to exchange information, to establish understanding of respective needs; to ensure provision of services and resolution of problems and with the external contacts generally with officials of national and international institutions, leaders of the refugee community, local population and/or Implementing Partners (IPs) on subject matters which may be of importance to the Organization.

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
– Monitor the situation in the AoR, collect data and other information relevant to UNHCR and report to the supervisor accordingly.
– Monitor the implementation of UNHCR programme including the delivery of all assistance items and monitoring of infrastructure.
– Undertake regular visits to various sites in order to assess needs of persons of concern, with particular attention to vulnerable groups.
– Keep regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested by supervisor.
– Act as interpreter when required.
– Contribute to the preparation of status and progress reports by providing info, preparing tables, etc.
– Assist in administrative tasks as required such as preparation of reports and meeting authorized personnel and assisting them during field missions.
– Inform and act on the reports received on persons of concern within the refugee community or from the local authorities.
– In coordination with implementing partners, assist in the reception, registration and provision of assistance to persons of concern to UNHCR.
– Negotiate with local authority counterparts, partners and populations of concern.
– Represent UNHCR in physical monitoring of projects.

– 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
Business Administration Law Political Science
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified

Desirable
Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of the position.
UNHCR field experience.

Functional Skills
*IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Drafting and Documentation
CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community
PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)
(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.

Desired Candidate Profile

• The Field Associate position requires a candidate with a strong mix of skills related to communication, teamwork, project management, emergency response, cash programming, CRI management and shelter projects in addition to data/information management, assessments, monitoring and reporting.
• The Field Associate must have good knowledge and understanding of protection principles, exercise community and rights-based approach in all activities, demonstrate deep understanding of linkages of protection mandate and operational delivery.
• (Emergency Response & Analysis) Ability to quickly assess information from multiple sources, conduct field visits and rapid assessments, analyze and clearly report on key situational updates while referring to relevant staff/actors/sectors is required.
• (Monitoring and Reporting) Ability to monitor key UNHCR programs in the field, provide technical support to partners, and report regularly on progress. This will also include drafting reports and being able to manage data skills in information management particularly related to developing infographics would be a plus.
• (Project Management/ Planning & Organization) Oversee delivery of assistance including cash, CRIs and shelter; ensure PoC and vulnerable groups are integrated into response mechanisms and provide feedback into programme design is required. This includes collecting and addressing community feedback, supporting the development of complaint and feedback mechanisms, and ensuring transparency and accountability in program implementation
• (Stakeholders and Client Orientation): Experience with working with PoCs, humanitarian actors, local authorities in in addition to professional demeanor. Familiarity with training and consultations with PoCs and partners is a plus.
• (Communication and Teamwork) Professional experience working in emergency situations, an awareness of cultural and social context, liaising with NGO and UN partners and strong knowledge of the UN coordination system and humanitarian principles. The Field Associate must be able to facilitate training or orientation sessions for community members, volunteers, and local partners, and to mobilize community-based structures for effective implementation and outreach.
• Knowledge of technical shelter and Information Management skills, specifically skills in managing and deduplicating large amounts of data, would be considered a plus.
• Any other duties as assigned by the Head of Field Office

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

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 UNHCR can maintain emergency response capacity, implement key cash, CRI, shelter and field-based programmes, as well as coordinate with other humanitarian actors. In addition to conducting regular field visits to informal settlements, collective shelters and other locations where forcibly displaced and stateless persons may be present, the incumbent will need to be able to manage and coordinate distribution activities, provide field reports and support all actors present during emergencies including negotiating should the situation become tense. At the same time the position is expected to monitor key humanitarian projects including cash, CRI, shelter and site management in the field, work with partners to implement the projects in an efficient and timely manner, while providing technical feedback and reporting on progress. The candidate may need to provide support to high level donor or UNHCR missions, identify suitable persons for interview, conduct assessments and facilitate joint missions and work with other relevant sectors. Flexibility is also required in order to respond to possible new developments including new arrivals, displacement, return, natural disasters, etc.

Living and Working Conditions:

Lebanon remains a complex operational environment. The country is recovering from recent conflicts and displacement, as well as a prolonged economic crisis. It hosts 1.4 million Syrian refugees, according to the Government of Lebanon—the highest per capita globally—placing immense strain on basic services. While a transitional government was formed in early 2025, challenges are expected to continue, particularly in implementing a comprehensive plan for macroeconomic and financial stabilization.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon took effect on 26 November 2024, after more than a year of fighting that resulted in thousands of casualties and injuries, and affected up to 1.3 million people, including around 900,000 who were internally displaced. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes in South Lebanon and the Bekaa have continued, causing further casualties and injuries.

Sporadic hostilities have persisted, including airstrikes in the southern governorates and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Unexploded ordnance has impacted communities, exacerbating protection concerns, limiting humanitarian access, and hindering relief and recovery efforts. While the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) dropped from nearly 900,000 to 90,021 by 30 April 2025, many returning IDPs have faced extensive damage to essential infrastructure and residential buildings.

The fall of the Assad regime in Syria has also driven regional shifts. Between December 2024 and May 2025, UNHCR estimates that approximately 501,126 Syrians crossed back into Syria via neighbouring countries, including 170,078 via or from Lebanon—half of whom were transiting or temporarily returning. Returns and movements occur through both official and unofficial border crossings, creating a fluid picture. At the same time, Lebanon has received nearly 110,000 new arrivals into the Baalbek-Hermel area of the Bekaa, as well as the Akkar and North Governorates. The latter influx is due to hostilities in Syria’s Tartous, Lattakia, Homs, and Hama Governorates since early March, with displacement ongoing.

UNHCR and its partners face a significant and unexpected funding shortfall in 2025, prompting a focus on lifesaving and core mandate activities. Reduced funding has already impacted critical sectors such as cash assistance, healthcare, and education.

UNHCR in Lebanon has a workforce of over 350 staff across the Country Office (CO) in Beirut and various Field Offices. This includes personnel in FO Beirut, Tripoli, and Zahle. As per the ICSC classification of March 2025, Beirut is designated as a ‘B’ family duty station, while Zahle and Tripoli are classified as ‘D’ family duty stations.

The overall situation in the region continues to be closely monitored. Applicants are advised to stay informed of developments in the security context, as these may affect the classification of duty stations.

Despite these challenges, Lebanon is showing signs of recovery. Housing and essential services, including healthcare and international schooling, are improving. However, trust in the banking sector remains low. International staff may open fresh USD accounts in local banks to facilitate transfers from foreign accounts and local USD transactions. The operation’s finance team will provide guidance on setting up these accounts, if needed.

UNLP holders are granted six-month, multiple-entry visas upon arrival, but these cannot be converted into residency permits. Residency is required for opening local bank accounts, signing long-term lease agreements, purchasing vehicles, registering children in international or national schools, and requesting visas for family members. International staff must obtain an official visa in their national passport before arrival, ideally through the nearest Embassy of Lebanon. UNHCR Lebanon’s administration will support this process prior to the staff member’s arrival in the country.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CL-Multi-stakeholder Communications with Partners, Government & Community, CO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, PG-Programme Management (programme cycles and reporting standards)

Education

Certifications

Business Administration – Other, Law – Other, Political Science – Other

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements