Durable Solutions Associate

September 18, 2025

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

C

FamilyUNOPS LICA6

2025-09-15i. Operational context:
Lebanon 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. In July 2025, a new dedicated Returns Chapter was approved under the LRP which sets out a common blueprint between the Government of Lebanon and the humanitarian community on voluntary, safe and dignified returns to Syria.
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 be based in the Country Office in Beirut and report to the Repatriation Officer as part of the Voluntary Repatriation team to coordinate, manage and oversee voluntary repatriation processing across the country. The incumbent will also manage a team of Durable Solutions caseworkers in the Country Office who will conduct voluntary repatriation assessments, to supplement and support Field Office capacity. The Durable Solutions Associate will be responsible for providing training and capacity-development to caseworkers on applicable principles and guidance on voluntary repatriation and oversee the implementation of Return SOPs across Field Offices in the operation.

The incumbent will support the coordination, planning and implementation of the UNHCR-IOM supported organized return program, including liaising with Durable Solutions teams in the Field on scheduled organized returns to take place twice per month. The Durable Solutions Associate will also establish and maintain effective relationships with IOM to coordinate the route, schedule and implementation of organized returns, including ensuring timely data sharing with IOM, based on the Data Sharing Agreement and SOPs. The incumbent will also liaise with local authorities as needed in the context of organized return and support the provision of capacity development for local authorities and partners as needed. The incumbent will monitor 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 Repatriation Officer.

The Durable Solutions Associate position will also conduct missions to the Field Offices and Return Spaces (Community Development Centers) and the border crossing points as required to oversee the returns process. 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. 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 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.
- (Analysis & Reporting): The incumbent must have good technical data analysis and drafting skills to provide regular statistical and qualitative analysis on return programmes in a timely manner.
- (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 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

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DM-Database Management, IT-Microsoft Office Productivity Software

Education

Certifications

HCR Protection Induction Prog - UNHCR

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No