Lebanon: Deputy Country Director

Role & Responsibilities

Manage the development and implementation of the support functions to facilitate the implementation of the country programme strategy. Provide leadership, strategic direction, management and evaluation of all aspects of the support functions. The Deputy Country Director also plays a key role in legal compliance and team leadership.

Project Overview

In response to the Syrian Crisis, the program delivers emergency assistance to Syrian refugees and host communities in Lebanon in the sectors of Health, WASH, Shelter, GIS / Information Management.

Medair

Medair is a humanitarian organisation inspired and motivated by Christian faith to relieve human suffering in some of the world’s most remote and devastated places. We bring relief and recovery to people in crisis, regardless of race, creed or nationality. As signatories of the Red Cross Code of Conduct, we believe that aid should be given to everyone who is in need, regardless of political, social or religious viewpoint. We save lives in emergencies and then stay to help people recover from crisis with dignity—working side by side with communities to leave a lasting impact. We provide a range of emergency relief and recovery services: health care and nutrition; safe water, sanitation, and hygiene; shelter and infrastructure. Internationally recruited field and headquarters staff lead the organisation, supported by nationally recruited staff to implement programmes locally.

Workplace

Field based position in Beirut, Lebanon, with regular travel to Zahle. Take a look at Medair’s work inLebanon**.**

Starting Date

As soon as possible

Initial Contract Details

Full time, minimum contract 24 months

Key Activity Areas

Programme Support Management

· Facilitate cross cutting communications with the programme teams supporting programme strategy through the support functions.

· Support field managers in all aspects of finance, administrative, human resource and logistics management, ensuring knowledge of and adherence to applicable operational systems, donor requirements and country programme strategy.

· Prepare and implement policies, procedures and guidelines, as appropriate and with the relevant field managers and HQ staff, so as to enhance the smooth running of the programmes through standardised procedures and improved support. This may include finance and governance procedures, staff management, fleet management and IT security and infrastructure.

· Ensure all in-country legal requirements are met including registration, reporting, insurance, work permits, contracts, etc., liaising as necessary with government departments and other official bodies.

· Represent Medair at relevant national and local meetings and reporting back to applicable to staff, field managers and HQ.

Financial Management

· Supervise the budget management and expenditure for support and shared costs, in collaboration with project managers and HQ staff, ensuring budgets are spent according to donor proposals and regulations and within the appropriate time frame. Advise project managers of the financial status of the projects.

· Monitor programme spending, ensuring relevant guidelines and procedures and being followed and that systems are in place for the prevention and detection of possible fraud.

Staff Management

· Assist other managers in their line management responsibilities, including recruitment, appraisal, objective setting, development and training, disciplinary action, etc.

· Facilitate regular team meetings and, through a consultative leadership style and a transparent, honest and supportive communication structure, develop and build an effective team.

Security Management

· Ensure all staff members and visitors receive appropriate briefings and on-going training in security-related topics.

· Oversee and monitor staff adherence to security protocols, including security incident reports.

· Ensure security plans and protocols for the programme location(s) are updated and implemented in response to changes in the security situation.

· Train and support relevant field managers in security planning, management, implementation and monitoring.

· Act as main Security Focal Point for Beirut and all of Lebanon.

· Assist the Country Director in managing security incidents, as required.

Communication

· Develop and maintain positive relationships with suppliers, local authorities, other NGOs and any other stakeholders, representing Medair and ensuring good co-operation and partnerships.

Quality Management

· In conjunction with relevant managers, review, develop and implement (as applicable) systems to improve transparency and to detect and ultimately prevent loss or fraud. Carry-out regular inspections and spot-checks, both on systems and on-going work, to ensure the best use of Medair assets and resources.

Field - Team Spiritual Life

· Reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.

· Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.

· Live, work and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings.

· Instigate and contribute to prayer times within internationally recruited staff and HQ teams.

· Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international programmes and HQ prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organisational needs.

Qualifications

· University degree in a relevant subject such as Management / Development Studies / Business Administration or in a relevant technical subject.

· Post-graduate degree in the humanitarian sector desirable; Security Management training desirable.

Languages

· Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Experience / Competencies

· 5 years post-qualification experience in a relevant management position.

· 7 years overseas work experience, preferably with a relief and rehabilitation NGO desirable.

· Experience working in a cross-cultural setting, preferable in a support role.

· Problem solving ability; good numerical and report writing skills; commitment to best practice.

Advanced leadership and management skills, good decision maker; coaching and training skills

Able to oversee multiple tasks, prioritising and delegating as required.

Team-player with good interpersonal skills and conflict resolution skills.

· Able to maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

· Good understanding of cross-cultural issues; diplomatic; excellent communicator.

Profiles sought for Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) roles in the field

Relief experience

· Professionals with 12 months or more relevant relief or development experience (Experienced Relief Workers).

· Professionals with less than 12 months relevant relief or development experience (New Relief Workers).

Professional

· Experienced professionals in a relevant Medair sector of expertise.

· Overseas intercultural experience.

Values

· Fully committed to the Medair values; to reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, and external contacts.

Personal qualities

· Able to live and work in a multicultural team under difficult conditions.

· Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity, honesty, and physically fit.

Availability

· Single or married (with no children under 18). If married, your spouse must also apply.

Final selection.

· All potential candidates for field positions must successfully complete the Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC). Information, dates and related costs can be found via this link.

Benefits Package provided to all Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS)

· Comprehensive briefing at our Swiss Headquarters, as well as an in-country briefing.

· Security training for those going to insecure environments.

· Accommodation, food, and transportation in-country.

· Return flights to and from the country programme (one return flight for every year of service).

· Rest and recuperation (R&R) leave (including travel, accommodation, and food).

· Annual leave.

· Comprehensive medical and emergency rescue insurance, with up to 60 days post-assignment coverage, including debriefing.

· Disability insurance.

Specific benefits for Experienced Relief Workers (IRS)

(Applicants with 12 months or more relevant relief or development experience)

· A salary based upon the grade of the position and experience of the position-holder, starting from USD 1,700 per month.

· Contribution matching programme for retirement savings.

· Additional contract benefit allowance for those who commit to longer contracts.

· Highly subsidised contribution to Medair ROC travel and accommodation costs.

Working Conditions

· This is a field-based position and working and living conditions may be very different to that previously experienced.

http://http://www.medair.org/en/jobs/positions/deputy-country-director-lbn-beirut

Application Process

Before you apply, please ensure you are fully aware of the:

a) Medair organisational values.

b) Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC) (which forms part of the recruitment selection process for field positions).

Then to apply, go to the "Current Vacancies" page then:

c) apply for this vacancy (or another position that matches your profile), or apply for a Medair ROC (where we can try and match your competencies to our vacancy needs).

Please do not make multiple applications. We will not review email applications. Only English-language applications / CVs will be reviewed. Medair does not set closing / deadline dates for applications; recruitment is on-going until the position is filled.

Follow Us

You can follow us on Facebook , Twitter , or LinkedIn .