Tension Analysis Officer

Background

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UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Since 2019, Lebanon has simultaneously faced an unprecedented and multifaceted economic, financial, social and health crisis, coupled with the impact of the Syria crisis on Lebanon which has created a rapidly deteriorating socio-economic situation for all populations.

Further to this, since 8 October, there have been increasingly violent clashes between Hezbollah, Palestinian factions, and IDF at the Lebanese-Israeli border since 8 October. This escalation has led to the displacement of over 50,000 people, with first responders managing the needs of those residing in collective shelters in South Lebanon, and a massive socio-economic impact on the region. The situation remains volatile, with a risk that this protracted volatility turns into a broader regional conflict.

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 (TMS) 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.

To this end, UNDP is seeking to advance its tensions monitoring work by boosting data collection, analysis and tension products.

Under the overall supervision of the Team Leader for the Strategic Planning and Policy team, and direct management of the Conflict Analyst & Conflict Sensitivity Mainstreaming Officer, the Tension Analysis Officer will coordinate, facilitate and analyze multiple source of data on conflict and tensions. The Tension Analysis Officer will also ensure to engage closely with key partners across the response, including members of sector Core and Working groups.

Duties And Responsibilities

The Officer will be responsible of the following functions:

Coordinate the process of collection and triangulating data relevant to understanding conflict dynamics under the Tensions Monitoring System.

• Coordinate and quality assure the running of field level Tension Task Forces which serve to collect, analyze and disseminate key tension-related developments at the regional level;
• Coordinate and quality assure the monthly tension mapping at field level;
• Coordinate and quality assure the monitoring of Social Stability WhatsApp groups;
• Coordinate and quality assure the monthly tension mapping at field level;
• Work in partnership with the IM officer and analyst team to ensure triangulation of data and updated dashboards;
• Support the quality assurance of intra-Lebanese tension monitoring;
• Liaise on the monitoring of traditional and social media regarding tensions in Lebanon (including a dashboard monitoring sentiment, engagement and networks);
• Horizon scanning and flagging areas for data collection and analysis.

Contribute to key tensions monitoring system products

• Ensure that regular and ongoing cross-analysis of various data sources feeds into TMS products;
• Identify topics for regular and ad-hoc reports;
• Draft regular and ad-hoc reports;
• Quality assure TMS reports;
• Draft and hold TMS presentations;
• Provide regular analysis to the SoST and LH sectors;
• Provide regular analysis to all other sectors.

Build strong relationships for response and stability through Partner Engagement

• Lead the organization and planning of the central tension task force, along with line ministries and UNHCR in order to ensure the response dimension identified in the field;
• Regular engagement with partners as relevant to the TMS;
• Provide the necessary support to the Conflict Analyst and Mainstreaming officer, and the Social Stability coordinator and the CTA.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Tension Analysis Officer 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 Analysis Officer 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

Thematic Area Name Definition

Business Direction & Strategy SystemThinking

• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Business Development Knowledge Facilitation

• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business Management Results-based Management

• Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.

Business Management Partnerships Management

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with side networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies

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

Programme And Policy:

2030 Agenda

Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and

Responsive Institutions

• Community engagement for prevention, response, and social cohesio

Programme And Policy:

2030 Agenda

Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and

Responsive Institutions

• Conflict Analysis and conflict sensitivity

Required Skills And Experience

Min. Education requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Conflict management, Development Studies, Communications, Project Management or other relevant fields; Or
• A first level University degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) related fields in the above areas, with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience Up to 2 years (with Master´s degree) or minimum2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressive relevant experience in humanitarian, development, or conflict analysis work is required.

Required Skills

• Experience in conflict analysis, report writing and presentation in both English and Arabic languages;
• Proven experience in communications and advocacy;
• Experience in conflict sensitivity and cross-sectoral mainstreaming;
• Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize and deliver high quality of results in a timely fashion;
• Experience in using Activity Info, FTS, Power BI or office software package.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Experience and knowledge of UNDP policies and procedures and /or experience from previous UN assignments and/or bi-lateral aid organizations is an asset;
• Experience in community engagement for prevention, response, and social cohesion is desired;
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation is an advantage.

Required Language(s) Fluency in oral and written Arabic and English is required.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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