Lebanon: Coordinator of the Lebanon Humanitarian International NGO Forum (LHIF) – Lebanon

Organization: Danish Refugee Council
Country: Lebanon
Closing date: 16 Aug 2013
Coordinator of the Lebanon Humanitarian International NGO Forum (LHIF) – Lebanon
Overall objective
The purpose of this position is to provide technical and logistical support to LHIF to leverage their advocacy work by making the best use of opportunities for influencing policy and practice. This shall be achieved through developing common positioning on key humanitarian issues, representing members internally and externally and supporting in lobbying key donors, UN agencies and Government Representatives.
Key Responsibilities
• Act as the secretariat of the LHIF both internally and in relation with external stakeholders,
• Provide technical expertise on and manage advocacy activities agreed on by the LHIF,
• Assist the Steering Committee in representing the LHIF in the different fora and meetings held in Lebanon and abroad if / when needed,
The LHIF Coordinator will be administrated by the Danish Refugee Council and report to the LHIF Steering Committee.
Secretariat
• Organise and facilitate the bi-weekly LHIF meetings,
• Coordinate the LHIF meetings with external stakeholders (donors, partners, UN agencies, governmental bodies…),
• Record and disseminate detailed minutes in all meetings attended by LHIF members and LHIF SC members,
• Call for ad hoc meetings in consultation with LHIF SC in response to specific humanitarian issues.
• Attend if / when relevant sector and working groups and report any information related to the LHIF advocacy issues,
• Act as liaison with the regional SIRF and potentially any other NGO fora,
Advocacy management
• Support LHIF members in coming up with common positioning on key humanitarian and operational issues, through providing members with most updated information gathered from meetings with various stakeholders, sectors and working groups, and supporting in formulating key advocacy messages to be raised.
• Elaborate and suggest to the LHIF members an advocacy strategy,
• Draft and disseminate to various audiences any LHIF statement / position / press release agreed on by the LHIF,
• If relevant and agreed, organize press conferences and manage media relationships,
• Organize any events with policy makers and relevant stakeholders in consultation with the LHIF SC to advance humanitarian issues raised by the LHIF.
Representation
• Assist the LHIF Steering Committee in representing the LHIF in meetings with Governments especially the Government of Lebanon, the United Nations, and donors, to convey views of the LHIF members,
• Represent the LHIF at the regional NGO Forum (SIRF) and report relevant information to its members,
Minimum Requirements
• International experience in NGO advocacy work and / or in NGO Coordination Fora,
• Excellent representation and diplomatic skills.
• Understanding of the key Humanitarian issues,
• Several experiences of emergency and development work with a broad understanding of context, dilemmas, challenges and ways of working.
• Previous experience in dealing with Governments, donors and UN agencies,
• Ability to think strategically and critically and beyond the local/country context.
• Excellent listening and communication skills including both verbal and written,
• Ability to work in a team and being a driver for building good and positive relationships,
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment and be adaptive to change,
• Knowledge of Lebanon and/or Middle East a strong asset,
• Familiarity with INGO and UN/humanitarian coordination mechanisms.
• Master degree in international relations / protection / humanitarian field,
• Computer literate: highly proficient in the use of word processing software (MS Word),
presentation software (MS PowerPoint), spreadsheet software (MS Excel), knowledge management systems.
• Fluency in English is essential. Arabic an advantage.
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of nationality, race, gender or age.
Conditions
Availability: 1st September
Duty station: Beirut
Contract: until 31st December 2013, renewable.
Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. The position will be placed at salary level A13.
Further information
For more information, please contact Head of Admin & HR, Anne Moenster, email: anne.moenster@drclebanon.dk
Please note that we only accept applications sent via our online system at www.drc.dk under Vacancies > Current vacancies > LHIF Coordinator – Lebanon. Applications sent directly to Ms. Anne Moenster will not be considered.
For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.dk.
About DRC
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.
The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.
How to apply:
Application and CV
Only applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered.
DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.dk under Vacancies > Current Vacancies > LHIF Coordinator – Lebanon. Please remember to upload both a letter of application and your CV and do not attach any written recommendations.
CV-only applications will not be considered.
Please submit the application and CV, in English and marked “> LHIF Coordinator – Lebanon”, no later than 16. August 2013.
Please contact job@drc.dk, if you experience problems with your online application.