This role has a country focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country. The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to country operations contributing to quality assurance while overseeing country activities. The head of programme is also responsible for fundraising activities and external programmatic representation and will act as the primary focal point for DRCs programming portfolio in Lebanon. Duties and Responsibilities:
Responsibilities:
Project management and development:
Constant in-depth analysis of humanitarian context, trends, gaps, challenges, and opportunities
Lead the country level strategic planning and the annual review process, and contribute to the sustainable management of program with a continual eye to new program development that addresses displacements and meets the needs of beneficiaries
Enabling and overseeing effective, efficient and timely implementation of all projects according to agreed contracts, budgets, policies, legal frameworks and specific donor requirements
Drive new initiatives to expand/improve programmatic actions
Lead the integration of gender, protection and conflict sensitivity mainstreaming as well as safeguarding across all programs suitable to Lebanon context.
Design, contribute and/or lead assessments for emergency or longer-term programming in existing or new project location; with written report and recommendation to initiate and setup relevant emergency projects if a response is decided on
Provide regular internal and external reports, and other relevant information on programme activities, policy matters and external relations
Foster synergies between program areas and sectors and promotes an integrated approach
Frequent travel for direct support to field sites, representation, and identification of opportunities for organizational growth in the competence areas
Program Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning:
Provide oversight, guidance, and leadership to all aspects of program development and implementation in Lebanon, including ensuring timely reporting, compliance and quality utilizing routine monitoring and feedback into program implementation
Ensure that all projects contribute to measuring impact and are in line with DRC’s country strategic plan
Ensure quality programming by coordinating the technical support by developing M&E tools and indicators and other quality improvement initiatives
Adopt an evidence-based approach that see the dissemination of lessons learned and best practices within DRC country, and to other stakeholders when relevant in order ensure synergetic programming and cross-program collaboration in Lebanon and in the whole region
Supervise monitoring and evaluation of the operations to ensure the overall implementation is in accordance with agreed work plans, donor agreements and humanitarian accountability framework
Ensure that relevant beneficiary data is collected, compiled, analyzed and distributed and that relevant assessments are conducted in the project area
Ensure Information Management is embedded with DRC program and data is managed as per GDPR requirements.
Fundraising & Grants Management:
Lead the planning and development of concept papers, budgets and project proposals (including any modifications) with support from country team
Enabling and overseeing effective, efficient and timely implementation of all projects according to agreed contracts, budgets, policies and in accordance with specific donor requirements
Ensure systems and tools for efficient project cycle and grants management; and ensure a coordinated approach to risk-management in cooperation with relevant departments; ensuring dynamics is implemented in a timely manner and that grants are tracked and coordination with the RO and HQ;
Act as the focal point for consortium funded projects
Ensure effective and transparent budget follow up, planning and use of financial resources in compliance with DRC and donor policies and priorities
Develop a close and productive working relationship with Area Offices to ensure that all aspects of programs are implemented to maximum affect and compliant with DRC and donor regulations.
Ensure up to date donor mapping and pursue funding opportunities in all DRC competence areas, and coordinate the capacities of the program managers and SMT to identify and materialize opportunities
Review final reports and authorize on proposals to be submitted to external donors and HQ
Effectively stay abreast of donor policies, procedures, rules, and regulations
Partnerships:
Review and oversee implementation of the partnership strategy including management tools, guidelines, and other resources as needed to effectively management partnerships;
Promote localization agenda within DRC Lebanon; and ensure this is well reflected in all technical strategies and within the country strategy
Lead the technical coordination unit to Identify local NGOs/partners and develop partnership with relevant and complementary partners.
Improve partnership practices by periodically assessing DRC Lebanon’s partnership management approach taking into account both DRC and partners’ perspectives, capture lessons learned and best practices, and make recommendations for improvement
People Management and Capacity Building:
Direct line management of the Sector Coordinators/Managers and Specialists with an emphasis on excellence, promoting a culture of cooperation, learning, creativity, and innovation.
Ongoing development of team composition and structure to ensure that is fit for purpose, develop Job descriptions/Terms of Reference, follow up program staff related recruitment processes and orientation of staff. Proactively seek to increase the numbers of national staff members in the Programs team.
When needed, draft and/or review scopes of work to hire and manage technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract budget
Development of overall staff competence through leadership, training and coaching of technical and management key program staff
Work with the Technical coordination team and area offices ensure technical capacity building for team members and partners are in place to develop stronger expertise in-country
Ensure staff are well-supported, and manageable workloads – proactively flagging up issues of well-being to HOSS/SMT
Conduct annual staff performance reviews, ensuring regular feedback is provided as per DRCs performance management cycle
External/Internal relations:
Establish strong and efficient partnerships within the humanitarian community in line with the country programme strategy
Increase/cultivate the visibility and credibility of DRC’s program in the area and maintain close relations with all relevant stakeholders including donors
In coordination with the Advocacy Coordinator and CD, ensure DRCs positioning is positive in Lebanon with relevant stakeholders
When requested, together with the CD, represent DRC’s Lebanon program to funders and potential donors and deputise as necessary
Act as a proactive member of the SMT, promoting and role-modeling values
Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience):
At least (7) years of progressively responsible experience in program management, leadership, and design in countries of conflict/managing emergency operations in a senior management level– preferably experience in the Middle East.
At least (4) years' experience with people management with proven leadership experience
Solid experience with proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Demonstrable experience in the nurturing of organisational learning with the ability to draft strategies/frameworks
Excellent coordination, communication, organizational and planning skills; with the ability to work flexibly in a diverse team in a dynamic environment, fostering a positive working environment, and manage issues sensitively and diplomatically.
Strong capacity building, facilitation, and presentation skills with the ability develop strong interpersonal relationships to facilitate communication and support partner and staff.
Proven experience in effectively coordinating with International and National NGO and Govt partners, UN and coordinating with donors.
Extensive knowledge of UN, US and European institutional donors and their compliance requirements with proven experience of developing successful funding proposals, contract management including consortia grants
Strong understanding of localization agenda as well as partnership approaches and tools
Commitment to integrate gender, protection conflict sensitivity and accountability into programming
Keen understanding of the complexities in the Middle East region
Education:
Master's degree in political science, international development, humanitarian assistance &/ or other relevant field.
Languages:
Full professional proficiency in English (verbal and written)
