Occupational Therapist Volunteer in Lebanon at Humanity & Inclusion - Handicap International

Project Context

Since March 2nd, 2026, Lebanon has been drawn into a significant escalation amid the 2023 ongoing conflict, marked by intense airstrikes and military activity that have expanded across southern Lebanon, North Bekaa, Mount Lebanon, Beirut and its southern suburbs.

The rapid deterioration of the security situation has already triggered significant displacement. Families are fleeing under fire, seeking safety in overcrowded shelters, schools, and with relatives.

The ongoing conflict is creating high humanitarian needs across most sectors including, basic needs (non-food items), food assistance, safe water, hygiene supplies, protection services, in addition to health care needs. Additionally, the escalation of conflict has resulted in an increase in conflict-related injuries, as well increased challenges faced by persons with disabilities and elderly.

Humanity & Inclusion (HI) has been actively working in Lebanon to address these challenges. As part of its commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, HI is responding to needs of vulnerable people, including rehabilitation needs for persons with functional difficulties, affected by the crisis. Thus, HI is seeking to identify a group of Occupational Therapist volunteers. These volunteers will play a crucial role in HI's ability to provide timely and effective support to communities affected by crises.

Volunteering support:

Participate in trainings conducted by HI, covering topics such as psychological first aid, early rehabilitation, assistive products...
Identify affected persons with injuries or disabilities who are in need for functional rehabilitation.
Conduct technical assessment for identified persons and assess the needs for assistive products
Provide functional rehabilitation sessions and provide assistive products
Ensure training and education of users and caregivers.
Ensure documentation and reporting for all the conducted activities respecting data protection and confidentiality.
Participate in rapid needs assessments and data collection activities to inform Rehabilitation interventions.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Students or graduates in Occupational Therapist
Fluency in Arabic (both spoken and written); English proficiency is preferred
Previous volunteer or work experience in the field of rehabilitation
Prior involvement in emergency response or humanitarian work is a plus
Strong interpersonal and active listening skills
Cultural sensitivity and demonstrated understanding of community dynamics
Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect boundaries in sensitive interactions
Flexibility and adaptability to rapidly changing situations
Basic computer literacy
Strong interpersonal and active listening skills
Willingness to travel to affected areas, potentially in difficult conditions

Benefits to Volunteering

Joining our team of Occupational Therapy volunteers offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact while developing valuable skills and experience. As a volunteer, you'll receive comprehensive training in rehabilitation, assistive products, and emergency response, helping you develop resilience and adaptability in challenging environments.

You'll gain hands-on experience in providing rehabilitation support to individuals affected by crises, working alongside experienced professionals who will provide regular supervision and mentoring. This practical experience will enhance your career prospects in the humanitarian sector. Perhaps most importantly, your work will have a direct and meaningful impact on communities in crisis. You'll provide crucial support to vulnerable individuals, contributing to their resilience and recovery.

We value our volunteers and provide practical support to ensure your experience is rewarding. This includes 20 USD per volunteering day as contribution in addition to 10$ for transportation contribution.

Commitment

The volunteer requires commitment starting October until December 2026, Volunteers must be prepared to:

Attend trainings covering rehabilitation principles, emergency response protocols, and cultural sensitivity.
Patriciate in online learning modules when available to stay updated on best practices.
Be mobilized to field missions according to HI emergency response project.