JOB DESCRIPTION

E (most hardship)

Non Family

Non FamilyDanger Pay

PR5

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-12-01

August 8, 2025

Senior Repatriation Coordinator

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
In Lebanon there are around 950,000 Syrians refugees registered with UNHCR. Since registration by UNHCR was suspended by the Government of Lebanon in 2015, it is estimated that as many as 1.5 million Syrians may be in the country and in need of assistance and protection support under the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP).

At the same time, the number of spontaneous returns to Syria have gradually increased over the course of the last three years. In 2016, UNHCR is aware of 4,908 individual spontaneous returns from Lebanon to Syria; in 2017, this number rose to 11,053; and in 2018, UNHCR is aware of around 16,700 returns to Syria, of whom 5,595 returned individually, and 11,133 in group movements, primarily organised by the Lebanese General Security. There has been a similar increase in the number of spontaneous returns to Syria from the other countries in the region; between 2015 and mid-2018, UNHCR has recorded 103,090 refugee returns to Syria from Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt. These figures relate to returns verified and confirmed by UNHCR, based on government sources and direct observation by UNHCR. The actual number of refugee returns may be significantly higher. In addition, more than 1.7 million persons have reportedly returned home since the beginning of 2017 until mid-2018.

Since 2017, UNHCR operations in host countries neighbouring Syria, including Lebanon, have been conducting Return Perception and Intention Surveys (RPIS) as well as Focus Group Discussions (FGD) with Syrian refugees on their future return intentions, in order to understand the factors that will make refugees feel confident to return, and UNHCR’s consequent efforts to help create the necessary conditions for safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable returns. The surveys and consultations UNHCR has undertaken with refugees in Lebanon show that almost 90% of the Syrian refugees want to ultimately repatriate to Syria, but that the majority still see important obstacles to safe, dignified and sustainable returns.

While UNHCR Lebanon is contributing to efforts towards removing these obstacles, and securing the guarantees that will allow for large-scale voluntary returns facilitated by UNHCR, it is helping refugees opting to spontaneously return now to prepare themselves for re-establishment back home.

The Senior Repatriation Coordinator is a member of the multi-functional Comprehensive Solutions Squad, and leads the development and the implementation of UNHCR’s voluntary repatriation preparedness and response plan.

The Senior Repatriation Coordinator is a designated focal point for voluntary repatriation and related issues in Lebanon, and reports to the Deputy Representative (Protection). The incumbent has direct supervisory responsibility for a number of repatriation staff, and provides functional guidance to the four field offices and relevant reintegration. The Senior Repatriation Coordinator works closely with protection, programme and field staff, and ensures operational standards in repatriation in the area of responsibility.

The Senior Repatriation Coordinator is a member of the Office’s senior management team and is relied upon to ensure the advancement of repatriation activities. The Senior Repatriation Coordinator makes sure that the country operation has an effective voluntary repatriation strategy and plan, including requisite standard operating procedures and in line with regional and comprehensive solutions strategies. The incumbent ascertains that all repatriation movements respect the principle of voluntariness and occur in safety and dignity, with the full participation and support of persons and communities of concern.

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
– Stay abreast of the regional and local political, economic, social and legal context impacting on return prospects and advise senior management.
– Manage a consultative and participatory process to design and implement a return strategy that is voluntary, safe, dignified sustainable and fully consistent with international legal principles, UNHCR guidelines and the regional protection and/or comprehensive durable solutions strategy.
– Ensure that the voluntary return strategy is fully integrated into the country operations plan and that the necessary resources are allocated.
– Liaise with the Directors Office in Amman, and the MENA Protection Service, as well as other UNHCR country offices and other key partners in the region to ensure appropriate cross-border cooperation and a harmonized voluntary repatriation process.
– Ensure harmonization of relevant UNHCR country level strategies with broader national or area-based development plans.
– Ensure that early recovery and reintegration programmes in the areas of return in Syria are informed by knowledge available on the refugee population in Lebanon, including vulnerabilities, medical needs, and educational background.
– In accordance with the regional and local protection context, assess needs and set priorities for the voluntary repatriation of refugees, including, as applicable, stateless, mixed families and Palestinian refugees from Syria.
– Assist in negotiations with relevant authorities and other partners and key stakeholders in relation to the legal and operational aspects of repatriation.
– Monitor the implementation of the voluntary return operation through a consultative process and regular field visits. Mainstream AGD in all areas of work and ensure the full participation of returning refugees in matters relating to their own protection.
– Comply with UNHCR’s policy priorities, such as those related to persons with particular vulnerabilities.
– Develop and implement initiatives that build the protection capacity of the local government, partners and civil society as well as refugees in asserting their rights in situations of return.
– Identify, monitor and advise implementing partners on ongoing activities related to return
– Participate in selecting partners to support and/or implement return programmes.
– Participate actively in inter-agency coordination processes and mobilize partners’ political and financial support and complementary interventions to voluntary repatriation/return programmes.
– Provide direct or functional supervision of staff in the Country Office as well as those in other office relating to repatriation and reintegration and exercise effective managerial oversight, direction, guidance and support.
– Design and monitor the implementation of the voluntary repatriation strategy in line with the policies, standards and procedures on voluntary repatriation/return.
– Authorize expenditure on projects and individual payments for voluntary returns.
– Represent UNHCR with relevant external partners in the country of origin and/or the country of asylum.
– Initiate any appropriate measures to address incidents at all stages of voluntary repatriation and to ensure safe and dignified return movements.
– Enforce compliance with rules and regulations related to repatriation.

– Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P5 – 12 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 11 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 10 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Law; International Law; Social Sciences;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Protection Learning Programme; Management Learning Programme (MLP).
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
12 years of previous relevant work experience with at least 8 years in an international capacity

Desirable
Work experience in large returnee operations. Diverse field experience. Strong operational background in field protection.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
DM-Database Management
(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.

– Seasoned humanitarian professional with expertise in voluntary repatriation and durable solutions, enabling sustainable returns through investment in area-based solutions.
– Strong leadership in protection-sensitive return planning and implementation.
– Excellent experience in high-level coordination with governments, UN agencies, and regional partners.
– Skilled in linking humanitarian response with development and peacebuilding in areas of return.
– Strong experience in working with development actors, including International Financial Institutions (IFIs) which are important for Syria operation.
– Proven ability to manage teams and lead complex field operations and ability to adopt and operate in a politically sensitive and high-pressure environments.
– Extensive experience in the return of refugees and IDPs within the country.
– Experience in area-based recovery programming to promote return.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

In a complex and dynamic operational environment, the incumbent serves as the strategic lead on voluntary repatriation, return preparedness, and reintegration efforts, reporting directly to the Representative. At the core of this role is the oversight of a comprehensive, protection-sensitive solutions strategy, with voluntary repatriation as a central pillar. This includes leading the development, implementation, and monitoring of return initiatives that are closely aligned with global and regional policy frameworks.

The position entails leading a multi-functional team responsible for translating voluntary return frameworks into operational realities, while ensuring cohesion, accountability, and consistency across the Country Office, Sub-Offices, and Field Units. Providing strategic direction and technical guidance, the incumbent ensures that repatriation-related programming maintains high standards of protection and is tailored to the specific context.

A key component of the role is high-level engagement with national authorities, countries of asylum, development actors, and humanitarian partners to facilitate returns that are safe, dignified, and sustainable. The incumbent ensures the development and enforcement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), return criteria, and coordination structures to support orderly, voluntary, and informed return processes.

Collaboration is essential, with close coordination across Protection, Programme, Information Management, and Field colleagues, as well as with UNHCR operations in countries of asylum, to promote a harmonized and regional approach to return planning. The incumbent also contributes to resource mobilization by supporting the development of funding proposals, donor reporting, and strategic communications focused on return and reintegration efforts.

The incumbent plays a pivotal role in scenario planning, contingency preparedness, and risk analysis related to return operations, offering policy advice and strategic insights to senior management on protection risks and operational challenges.

Living and Working Conditions:

While greater stability is present in many parts of the country and humanitarian access is expanding from within, it is important for the incumbent to be prepared for an unpredictable security context and to manage stressful situations effectively. Damascus is classified as a non-family duty station with a six-week rest and recuperation (R&R) cycle. Staff members in Damascus are currently required to reside in designated hotel accommodations, but they can move freely within the city with few restrictions. Travel to field locations requires advance clearance from the government and is subject to prevailing security conditions. The UNHCR Country Office is easily accessible by car or via a shuttle service provided by the office. Staff with dietary restrictions or preferences are encouraged to familiarize themselves with available options prior to arriving in the country. For more information, please visit: https://wellbeing.unhcr.org/syria/local-knowledge

Additional Qualifications

Skills

DM-Database Management, IT-Computer Literacy

Bachelor of Arts: International Business Law, Bachelor of Arts: Law, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 2 to the Bi-Annual 2025 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information

This position doesn”t require a functional clearance