UNDP Job in Lebanon, Specialist on Lebanese Administrative and Regulatory Framework, 33141

Section/Unit: Social and Local Development Portfolio
Reports to: CTA LHSP
Pay Level: SC9

Eight years into the Syrian crisis, Lebanon remains at the forefront of one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time and has shown exceptional commitment and solidarity to the people displaced by the war in Syria. With the protracted nature of the crisis, refugees are living in poverty, accumulating debt and making tough choices to reduce costs, with negative consequences for quality of shelter, access to health, clean water and education opportunities. Furthermore, areas with the highest concentration of refugees, North Lebanon and the Bekaa valley, are among the poorest and most underserved regions of Lebanon. Even before the crisis, social services, infrastructure and livelihood opportunities were inadequate. Now, increased refugee populations are putting enormous pressure on Lebanon’s infrastructure such as transport, water and irrigation, waste water and solid waste education and health care systems, livelihood and jobs competition, with critical
consequences for Lebanon’s natural and environmental resources.

In parallel, the protracted nature of displacement in Lebanon has impacted different segments of the population differently, due to their vulnerabilities, coping capacities and susceptibility to threats. Socio-Economic vulnerabilities, exacerbated by the protracted emergency, are worse amongst female-headed households, and even higher for those living in families with disabilities, who are also less food secure, have worse diets, adopt severe coping strategies more often, and have higher poverty levels.

Prior to the explosion of the Beirut Port on August 4th, 2020 that has had a massive
destructive effect on the country’s capital and main economic engine. The spread of COVID-19, and the precautious measure undertaken to contain it, is likely to broaden the poverty coverage vertically and horizontally: horizontally, as more people will fall into the poverty trap, and vertically as the magnitude and severity of poverty will be much bigger. The economic crisis coupled with the COVID pandemic and Beirut Port explosion will give rise to new vulnerabilities on people, MSMEs, as more sectors and economic groups will weaken and fall apart.

The Lebanon Host Communities Support Project (LHSP) is developed within the framework of the interventions conducted by the UNDP in response nowadays to the multifaceted crisis, in partnership with Municipalities and Union of Municipalities, Civil Society Organization and in coordination with line ministries (MoSA, MoIM, MoA, MoE, others) to implement activities aimed at enhancing social stability and promoting development as part of a national strategy to respond to the multiple crisis, under the principal of Leaving No One Behind. LHSP is fully integrated in the framework of the LCRP 2017-2020 (Social Stability and Livelihood Sectors) and in alignment with the Capital Investment Program (Cedre) and Lebanon Economic Vision (McKenzie).

Based on a clear Theory of Change and strategy, four outputs are envisioned in the
forthcoming phase:

• Output 1: Capacity of local stakeholders strengthened to asses and respond to the
• needs of the community in the design and delivery of interventions in a conflictsensitive
• and participatory manner (MSR – Mechanisms for Stability and Resilience)
• Output 2: Competition for basic services reduced in vulnerable communities.
• Output 3: Income generation for vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian refugees created
• through intensive labour activities supporting rapid employment schemes.
• Output 4: Jobs opportunities increased particularly for vulnerable women, disabled
• persons and youth.

From 2014 to 2020 LHSP’s portfolio included more than 500 projects (infrastructure, livelihood), 13 donors and a budget of around 170 million USD, being the major response of UNDP Lebanon to the impact of the crisis in the country. These projects are now addressing the impact of the multifaceted crisis (socio-economic/financial, COVID19, Beirut Blast), and in any case they require modalities for legal procedures related to permits, control of accountability and transparency of implementing partners (particularly related to the cash for work modalities with implementing partners) and assistance in legal monitoring in order
to manage grievances.

The tasks will be implemented under the direct supervision of the CTA and in close
coordination with the LSHP respective components (engineering unit, livelihood-LED unit).When requested the Specialist on Lebanese administrative and regulatory framework will also support activities related with other programmes of UNDP, in this case under the supervision of the DRR.

Under the direct supervision of the CTA:

• Support the CTA in the preparation of required LHSP activities for due diligence concerning the accomplishment of the UNDP standards of commitment to preventing, identifying, and addressing all acts of fraud and corruption against UNDP, enforcing the UNDP Anti-fraud Policy;
• Support the monitoring of donors’ requirements concerning safeguarding, antifraudanticorruptionreporting requirements.

In close coordination with the Senior Civil Engineer/Engineering Unit:

• For each construction/infrastructure/agriculture project preparation of the check list concerning legal papers, needed permits, which governmental institution approval is needed to start the project;
• Visit projects’ sites, beneficiaries, governmental institutions, UNDP regional offices (Tripoli, Tyre, Chtoura and Hazmieh), and follow up with the concerned entities (beneficiaries at the field level, governmental institutions etc.) ensuring that the papers are delivered on time and the procedures of this issue are being applied by the concerned parties;
• Review and study the specified papers provided, recommending about projects’ feasibility from a legal perspective;
• Identify, organize and systematize all the needed established legal and construction/infrastructure permits according to the current national law for the different types of projects;
• Advise on construction/infrastructure projects’ letters signed between UNDP and the beneficiaries (municipalities). These letters should include, but not limited to, time frame to provide the needed permits and approval from the governmental institutes, the requested scope of work from the municipality etc.

In close coordination with the Senior Livelihood-LED Coordinator:

• Assist in the monitoring of cash for work modalities with implementing partners, for what concern control of beneficiaries’ payments (COVID19, Blast recovery and other projects) and managing grievances.

Under the supervision of the DRR (when needed):

• Support similar activities related to other UNDP programmes, in this case under the supervision of the DRR.

• Ability to manage different type of partnership relation, with organization and problem-solving skills;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to work under pressure with a team spirit;
• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity.

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in Lebanese Law with a minimum of 6 years’ experience or a Graduate degree in Lebanese Law with 4 years’ experience.

Experience:

• Experience in law rules and regulations and disputes regarding public and municipality public works;
• Experience with public institutions;
• Experience in researching and writing legal documents;
• Experience in dispute and negotiation resolution;
• Experience and knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures would be an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic. French is a plus.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

UNDP strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position.

UNDP seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities, and that staff members are able to keep an appropriate balance between work and private life.

Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

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