Tension Analysis Assistant

Position Information

Project: Tensions Monitoring System Project (00110786)

Title: Tension Analysis Assistant

Level: NPSA 5

Duty station: Beirut, Lebanon

Type: Regular

Expected starting date: As soon as possible

Project Description

Within Lebanon’s unprecedented and multifaceted crises, communal relations at all levels are deteriorating. Heightened tensions continue to manifest both online and offline. Coupled with high political instability and community insecurity, these factors all impact Lebanon’s stability. Given the highly localized nature of the tensions, there is a need to enhance the crisis response actors’ understanding of the tensions in order to inform a more conflict-sensitive approach in their programming.

To address this issue, the Tensions Monitoring System project was established in 2017 within the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan through a collaboration between UNDP and UNHCR. The system seeks to monitor and analyse tensions and provide recommendations on actions to address community relations to various stakeholders. In 2022, the project underwent a strategic review which confirmed the usefulness of the TMS. At the same time, the strategic review also recommended that there was an opportunity to open up the TMS’s work on conflict analysis to relevant stakeholders. It specifically points to continued briefings to stakeholders, both traditional and newly arrived, on tensions via reports, dashboards and workshops. It also indicated the recommendation to increase the frequency of time-sensitive reports which warrants the expansion of the team of analysts.

This position would support Tension Monitoring System project in data collection and analysis as it relates to conflict and tensions. The incumbent will be a member of the UNDP Strategic Planning and Policy (SPPU) team and will report directly to the Conflict Analysis & Conflict Sensitivity Mainstreaming Officer.

Scope of Work

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Conflict Analysis & Conflict Sensitivity Mainstreaming Officer, the Tension Analysis Assistant will be responsible for the following functions:

Support the data collection and monitoring of tensions and incidents

• Support the regular monitoring of tensions and conflict-related issues in Lebanon including primary data collection and triangulation
• Coordinate and work closely with Information Management team members to rely on existing databases and continuously improve their functionality.
• Support the organization of thematic discussions on key contextual developments

Contribute to the production and knowledge management of knowledge products

• Contribute to the drafting of regular and ad-hoc tension briefs, reports and presentations.
• Maintain UNDP’s internal filing system and knowledge management of existing products.
• Support in the annual reporting processes of the Tension Monitoring Project.

Support LRP partner engagement relevant to understanding conflict dynamics at national and field level

• Support the data collection processes at field level based on the triangulation of various data sources.
• Support field-level coordinators in the Tension Task Forces, assist in data collection and compile reports
• Coordinate with Information Management team to ensure timely reconcilement of data across dashboards
• Assist in providing LRP sectors with regular Tensions Overviews on the findings of the TMS.
• Assist in responding to ad-hoc sector requests.
• Follow up on data requests submitted via the TMS portal

Support the monitoring of online tensions and prevalence of disinformation/misinformation

• Monitor online platforms and social media for tensions in the online space
• Support the monitoring of WhatsApp groups and mapping of incidents
• Support the running of UNDP’s automated social media monitoring of tensions
• Provide analysis and recommendations on online conflict dynamics and disinformation/misinformation trends

Institutional Arrangement

The Tension Analysis Assistant will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of Chief Technical Advisor (Crisis Response Programming) and Head of Strategic Planning and Policy Unit at the Country Office in Beirut. In addition, the Tension Analysis Assistant will work under the Conflict Analyst and Conflict Sensitivity Mainstreaming Officer.

Competencies

Core

• 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 improvements
• 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 flexible
• Act with Determination: 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 discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

• Business Management: Working with Evidence and Data Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making
• Business Development: Knowledge generation Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need
• 2030 Agenda: Peace: Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions Conflict Analysis and conflict sensitivity
• 2030 Agenda: Peace Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions Conflict Analysis and conflict sensitivity
• Business Management: Digital Awareness and Literacy Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skilfull, grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed
• Digital and Innovation: Data analysis Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making
• 2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness: Crisis and Fragility Policy and Engagement Data/ Analytics for early warning and crisis management

Minimum Qualifications Of The Successful NPSA

Education

• Completion of Secondary Education is required;
• University degree in Conflict management, development studies, political science, international affairs, communications, or any related fields will be given due consideration but not a requirement.

Work Experience

• Minimum 5 years (with secondary education) or 2 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of progressive relevant experience in development,conflict analysis work or a relevant related field is required.

Required Skills And Competencies

• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced
• Knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP financials and database package
• Experience in online monitoring and analysis.

Desired Additional Skills And Competencies

• Experience with coordination
• Experience with databases, dashboards and online portals
• Experience in conflict sensitivity and cross-sectoral mainstreaming an asset
• Experience and knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures and experience from previous UN assignments and/or bi-lateral aid organizations an asset.

Required Language(s) (at Working Level)

Fluency in oral and written Arabic and English is required.