Country: Lebanon
Closing date: 31 Jan 2017
Posted on: 14/12/16
Desired start date: 15/01/17
Duration of the mission: 12 months
Location: Beirut
About the context:
After several years of conflict in Syria, some consider that the Syrian refugee population in Lebanon would be around 1,500,000 persons. This population is concentrated in the northern part of the country (in the Akkar District and in Tripoli) and in the Bekaa Valley. The refugees issue is particularly sensitive issue in Lebanon, which has several pro-Syrian factions in parliament and the caretaker government has been averse to setting up refugee camps for the Syrians.
SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) has launched its operations in Lebanon in March 2013 in order to address the immediate needs of both Syrian refugee and Lebanese host families also affected by the crisis. With support from ECHO, UNICEF, DFID, OCHA and CIAA, SI’s objective is to improve conditions through:
- The identification of the most vulnerable and referral system through coordination with international partners, local NGOs, municipalities and affected communities.
- Integrated Wash and Shelter response to the whole population of the informal settlements, small shelter units and collective shelters.
- Site management of the informal settlements and collective shelters.
- Livelihood assistance to vulnerable households through Unconditional Cash Assistance
In 2017 the mission will also develop its protection focus through even more integrated programming and mainstreaming.
About the mission
The country coordination is based in Beirut, while the operational bases are located in Tripoli, Halba and Zahle. 20 international employees are deployed in Lebanon. In Tripoli, the whole team is so far composed by 145 national employees. The base Alba in Akkar hosts up to 80 staff and 50 work in Zahle base in the Bekaa.
About the job:
In close collaboration with the Country Director (CD), the DCD’s prime objectives are to provide leadership and management of the strategic programming, overseeing the strengthening of SI’s programs development, quality and accountability. The DCD ensures the internal coherence between program activities and is responsible for ensuring that programs are driven by needs, based on evidence, adaptable to contextual changes and conflict sensitive, monitored closely and resourced appropriately.
The DCD is part of SI Senior Management Team and has direct line-management of the Technical Coordinators (WaSH, Basic Assistance & Livelihood, Shelter, MEAL, Cash Consortium Technical Coordinator, and Communication).
Main duties and responsibilities
Strategic Direction
- Collaborate with the CD to develop a program strategy and related processes consistent with the association’s policies and population’s needs.
- Organize diagnostic missions, remain abreast of ongoing humanitarian response and funding trends in the country, and provide regular updates on these trends and analysis of how they may affect SI programming.
- Be proactive in proposing new activities based on the context evolution.
- Work with colleagues in country program, region and HQ to identify funding opportunities and develop competitive, responsive proposals
Programme Development & Quality Management
- Provide cohesive leadership to SI programming, ensuring support to Technical Coordinators and timely communication on program issues to the CD.
- Review monthly project reports to monitor progress of programme implementation.
- Lead on the development of cross cutting themes in project design and implementation.
- Support technical coordinators to effectively utilize the technical guidance and support of HQ technical unit.
- Ensure that all programs are implemented in coherence with the annual country strategy, SI technical requirements and financial donor criteria.
- Ensure that quality criteria and indicators are monitored and leads to decision making.
- Ensure that the programs’ context monitoring is done properly and leads to decision making: adjustment of activities or result shifts according to the evolution of the context.
- Ensure that the programs evaluations’ recommendations are taken into consideration and that corrective measures are put in place.
- Ensure that human, financial and logistical resources meet activities completion requirements. Suggest changes if necessary.
Institutional knowledge building
- Monitor main NGO’ intervention methods/techniques and experience.
- Ensure that procedures, guides and tools are updated and implemented.
Donor, Grant, Relationship management and representation
- Support the Country Director in fundraising efforts.
- Work with the CD to develop and maintain strong working relationships with current and potential donors.
- Play a key role in promoting SI as a main actor within its different sectors of intervention through interaction with key players.
- Ensure appropriate representation and contribution to major Working Groups.
- Lead proposal and reporting writing and support the submission of timely, accurate and well-written reports and other reporting requirements.
Staff Performance Management and Development
- Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, establishing a supportive environment while emphasizing accountability, providing regular and timely constructive performance feedback, and leading documented semi-annual performance reviews.
- Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
- Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
- Support the Field Coordinators in their work on projects follow-up and help ensuring a smooth communication and work relationship between them and the Technical Coordinators.
- Work with HR staff to identify and implement recruitment, professional development, and retention strategies.
- Put forward proposals on the Technical team composition and ensure its budgeting.
- On request, could assume the interim management of the mission in the absence of the CD.
Your profile
Education: Advanced university degree (Masters) preferably in development and/or political/humanitarian studies or equivalent.
Experience
- A minimum of 3 years of management experience at senior level, preferably in complex humanitarian environments.
- Experience in conflict/post-conflict contexts, with experience in supporting emergency responses, access and security analysis and management.
- Work related experience from the Middle East region or similar complex displacement situations. Or at minima, a keen understanding of political complexities in the Middle East region.
- Repeated, successful experience delivering appropriate levels oversight for a portfolio consisting of a variety of complex, high-value donor-funded projects.
- Advanced knowledge of donors’ guidelines and procedures (ECHO, DFID, OFDA, UNICEF etc).
- Previous experience with SI an asset or within SI sectors of intervention: WaSH, Livelihood, Shelter, Protection.
Technical skills
- Proven ability with respect to the design, management, monitoring and evaluation of country programs, preferably with a focus on protection and durable solutions for refugees and displaced people.
- Strong management and training/capacity-building skills.
Soft skills and spirit
- Demonstrated successful leadership experience managing a multi-disciplinary team and cross-cultural dynamics.
- Superior diplomatic and coordination skills are essential, both for internal coordination and for working with key stakeholders.
- Problem solving and analytical skills with the ability to assess challenges and recommend solutions.
- Demonstrated ability for rapid, accurate analysis of complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic priorities into operational strategies.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders.
Languages:
- Fluent English: excellent speaking, reading and writing skills
- French and or Arabic is an asset
Other:
Commitment to the fundamental principles of SI’s charter and ethos
We offer
A salaried post: according to experience starting from 2.200 euros gross per month, plus 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly, and a monthly Per Diem of 750 USD.
Family package and housing allowance possible
Social and medical cover: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which reimburses all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.
Vacation: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of one break every three months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7-day break during the 3rd and the 9th month (with 500 euros allocated by Solidarités). He or she will also be entitled to go back to his or her home country for a 14-day period after six months spent on the mission (Solidarités will cover travel costs).
For further information about SI, please consult our website: http://www.solidarites.org/en/
CONTACT: Corinne LORIN, Recruitment & Follow Up Officer
How to apply:
Application process
Does this description fit you? Please send us your CV and Cover letter in English. CV only applications will not be considered.
NB : The vacancy may close before the deadline. Thank you for your comprehension