Lebanon: Partnership Coordination Advisor - Middle East

PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Remote management and monitoring of humanitarian operations has become the primary form of operations for humanitarian response in the Middle East and has become common practice among INGOs. Humanitarian actors are increasingly taking a partnership approach to interventions in the region. While coordination is now strong among partnership focused agencies, it is not led by one particular agency (no lead/co-lead) and this has emerged as a gap. Moreover, the need to ensure a more inclusive approach to coordination (in regards to local partners, and in some cases donors) requires focused effort and leadership.
To address this issue, at the beginning of 2016, INGOs agreed to establish a more formal coordination structure, which requires the recruitment of a Partnership Coordination Adviser. The creation of this structure and the shape it will take are to be agreed upon through facilitation by the position holder and involvement of relevant stakeholders involved in partnership work across the region.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The successful candidate will provide coordination services of all partnership based INGOs and local partners, not only one agency. S/he will act in their interest by sharing information, representing and advocating for populations affected by the conflict. The position will support day-to-day coordination and advise on a longer-term coordination model. As such, the Partnership Coordination Advisor will work towards: ensuring greater implementation coherence among INGOs and local partners, mapping needs and highlighting gaps, strengthening information sharing between INGOs, local partners and between INGO community and other Regional Coordination structures. The Partnership Coordination Advisor will help develop the most suitable coordination structure with the inclusion of INGOs and local agencies and donors when relevant, taking into consideration the operational complexities of operating in the region. S/he will act as the main focal point for any new INGOs planning to start partnership based programming. The successful candidate will work impartially with all humanitarian partners active.
The position should not be seen as a higher level representative of the Partnership Coordination Group and has to report to a rotating board of senior level people (with representatives from various agencies). Decisions on key issues should be made by quorum of this group, details of which to be determined. To keep coherence on the humanitarian response local organizations should also be invited to participate in the Partnership Coordination Group and in the board when relevant. Membership criteria for Partnership Coordination Group should be documented and transparent, and in accordance with the majority agreement of the PCG membership. Clear protocols will be established to ensure security of information and people.
The overall objective of this position is to seek ways to strengthen collaboration between INGOs and Local partners, and provide a platform for advocacy issues affecting the response. This position aims to provide sufficient means and structure for a coordination unit, to include focusing on key issues such as capacity development, monitoring and emergency response. This position is not to be seen as a higher level representative of the Lebanese group, but more as a facilitator and a key resource of information, and leadership of specific agenda points.
The Partnership Coordination Advisor will be responsible for:
• Providing sufficient organizational and administrative support to the Partnership Coordination Group
• Coordinating members of the PCG (international and local) regarding all cross cutting issues discussed during coordination meetings such as capacity development , alternative procedures, M&E, emergency response, duty of care;
• Ensure good communication among all members ;
• Follow up all action points / decisions taken during coordination meetings
After 6 months, the Partnership Coordination Adviser should report back to the group on what's working well, what can be improved and whether any changes need to be made to the role, including whether additional capacity is required.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Coordination & Reporting
• Provide appropriate and efficient coordination between humanitarian partners based in in the region;
• Encourage partners to work collectively, towards complementarity, coherence and harmonization of assistance delivery;
• Convene and facilitate regular coordination meetings and ensure that they are well-managed, action and results-oriented and documented, with decisions/action points clearly communicated to the partners;
• Establish/maintain appropriate coordination mechanisms between Lebanon and regional Response structures;
• Ensuring effective information sharing both within the INGO, local NGO partners and between these agencies and regional Response Clusters. Disseminate relevant materials, reports, documentations, meeting minutes etc. Ensure all the partners are informed about field level and regional level coordination meetings and events;
• Assess coordination/communication gaps and priorities, gather lessons learned/feedback from other Syria Response coordination structures (regional or hub level, clusters, fora) and recommend the most effective coordination model;
• Engage review after 6 months to assess gaps and needs for the role;
• Strengthen exiting protocols for coordination;
• Hold regular monthly information sharing and coordination meetings, including compilation of agendas, preparation and dissemination of background materials, and reports and documents;
• Facilitate information sharing between members and external stakeholders when required;
• Produce and disseminate feedback to the members following attendance to any required meeting, including on formal coordination bodies and bilateral meetings;
• Identify action points after each meeting and follow up with the concerned parties to ensure that action is taken;
• Provide mappings and any other relevant tools for enhancing information flow.
Administration/Facilitation:
• Submit monthly workplans and activity reports to INGOs representation;
• Responsible for updating and maintaining the e-mail addresses, mailing lists, telephone numbers and physical address of Partnerships Coordination Group members;
• Responsible for updating and maintaining all files and data bases for the relevant activities;
• Respond in a timely manner to all internal queries received regarding the coordination group, activities, including induction for new members, or new staff of a member agency;
• Any other activities requested by members or the Board members.
Representation
• In coordination/communication with all partners, attend regional level cluster/sector coordination meetings;
• Set up relevant mechanism of coordination with NGO members and external stakeholders (upon request);
• Network and conduct outreach to regional coordination structure representatives;
• Act as entry/focal point for any new INGO planning expansion for the area.
Preparedness and Capacity Building
• Coordinate emergency preparedness and contingency planning among INGOs;
• Promote and support training of humanitarian personnel and capacity development of partners, in coordination with INGOs capacity development teams;
• Advise on training opportunities;
• Support efforts to strengthen the capacity of the national/local partners and civil society, in coordination with relevant INGOs;
• Support harmonization of approaches in regards to capacity development of local partners, promoting this as a central component of our partnership relationship.
Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves
Accountability to Stakeholders: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to the international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. ;
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None
ACCOUNTABILITY: All humanitarian partners, community stakeholders, donors
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: The rotating board of the Partnerships Coordination Group. Administrative and HR support with Mercy Corps.
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: INGOs, local organizations
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
• Bachelor degree or equivalent in related field; international relationship, economics, social science or related field preferred. Masters preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience in humanitarian response including work experience within humanitarian context is essential, Syria preferred.
• Previous experience in coordination role, ideally in Syria Response context – highly preferred.
• Proven in depth of operational knowledge of Syria and Middle East is essential
• Understanding of the international humanitarian response architecture, including coordination mechanisms, humanitarian reform and action, and funding mechanisms.
• Proven experience in development and maintenance of multi-stakeholders networks and proactive coordination experience is essential
• Experience of chairing/facilitating meetings.
• Experience of partnership work, especially working with community based organizations.
• Previous experience working on capacity development initiatives is preferred.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of stakeholders and develop consensus and harmonized approaches.
• Ability to work productively in a pressurized environment and to maintain visibly high levels of morale in difficult circumstances.
• Fluent spoken and written English is required. Good command of Arabic is preferred.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful candidate will have the ability to network effectively and influence and inspire others. S/he will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, will be highly motivated and possess ability to work independently. Will have the ability to undertake strategic analysis and translate thinking into practice. S/He will work with sensitive issues in a multi-cultural environment and with virtual or/and dispersed teams and will have the ability to build confidence and to find creative and constructive solutions to difficult issues. The successful candidate will be build trust and alliances and will empower others. S/he should like traveling, possess a good dose of humor, must be fond of coordination and understand its critical role for the more efficient humanitarian response.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
This position is based in Beirut, Lebanon, a pleasant and cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean. The security situation is uncertain in Lebanon, with a possibility for rapid deterioration, particularly dependent on the Syrian conflict. Though currently secure in Beirut, all security guidelines and protocols must be closely followed at all times. For international staff independent housing will be provided.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. PI94913754

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