Country Representative

Country Office Highlights

Solidar Suisse has been actively responding to the Syrian Crisis since 2012, assisting displaced Syrian families and their host communities. Solidar Suisse delivers assistance through its country team (14 staff members) based in Nabatieh, South Lebanon. The response 2017/18 set the focus on two strategic objectives (i) meeting the basic needs of Syrian refugees and (ii) enhancing social stability in the hosting communities, applying an integrated approach. Contributing to the first strategic objective, Solidar Suisse assists most vulnerable households across sectors through Unconditional Cash Assistance and Emergency Cash Grants. While under the second objective, Community Support Projects are implemented to enable essential community services and thereby mitigate negative impacts. Lately, the country strategy was reviewed and the planning 2019/20 is in its final stage. Within the new framework, Solidar Suisse is exploring options to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable persons of concern, while fostering local cooperation’s.

Purpose of the position

The purpose of the position is the management and further development of Solidar’s Syria Crisis Response Programme in Lebanon which assists Syrian refugees and other conflict affected individuals and communities in Lebanon.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Country Programme Management: Based on the new country strategy, broaden the programme through enhanced networking and  partnership building,  development of new projects, including needs assessments, proposal writing, budgeting and negotiation with institutional donors; responsibility to ensure implementation of projects according to schedule and budget, in compliance with set standards, principles and guidelines of Solidar and its donors. This includes establishment and implementation of appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems for the activities.
• Compliance & Legal: Ensure that adequate security, administration, finance, logistic and procurement procedures - in compliance with Solidar’s global policies and local legal provisions - are developed and implemented.
• Representation, Coordination: Representation of Solidar Suisse towards the Government of Lebanon, institutional donors, local partners, and relevant sector coordination mechanisms. Ensure effective coordination of Solidar’s activities within the coordination system lead by UNHCR, with the local government, national partners and other agencies/INGOs.
• Local Donor Management: Maximise local fundraising with institutional donors; liaison with possible donors (ECHO, UN agencies, SDC and others) in Lebanon, draft and write project proposals and negotiate new funding opportunities according to the capacity and in line with thematic focus of Solidar.
• Leadership and staff management: Develop and lead Solidar’s national team by providing leadership, guidance, and supervision. Recruit national project staff, with approval of headquarters and according to project budgets. Ensure that contracts, rules and procedures meet statutory requirements of Lebanon. Carry out regular performance appraisals.
• Financial Management and Budget Control: Ensure that adequate financial procedures and systems are in place for efficient use of resources and to avoid misuse and fraud; support the Finance Manager in checking the programme expenditures against the individual project budgets; ensure that the monthly expenditure sheets are sent to the Headquarter no later than the 10^th of each month. Responsible to request funds from Headquarter in a timely manner; oversee and prepare local audits.
• Reporting: Provide monthly situation reports to Headquarter; elaborate and timely submit narrative and financial reports to Headquarters in the respective donor formats; report on any critical incidents (security, fraud, etc.).
• Communication and visibility: Manage field visits, including visits from media, donor and HQ representatives, and respond to information requests from HQ (e.g. interviews and pictures). Ensure visibility of Solidar’s work among the humanitarian community in Lebanon.
• Security: Responsibility to manage security and safety aspects for the entire country programme. In collaboration with headquarters, develop adequate security/safety systems and procedures and ensure strict adherence. Monitor the security situation in the country and regularly inform headquarters in case of important developments.

Requirements

• A university degree (or equivalent) in relevant subject such as international development cooperation, humanitarian aid, management or related areas;
• At least 7 years of experience in senior management positions in humanitarian contexts;
• Contextual knowledge of the Syrian refugee crisis, preferably in Lebanon and/or other neighbouring countries;
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills in a complex and volatile operating environment; ability to coach and support staff and cultivate team spirit;
• Experience of working in cooperation with national partner organizations;
• A proven track record in proposal development with a range of institutional and multilateral donors (i.e. ECHO, UN agencies, etc.);
• Confirmed experience and ability to manage a complex budget across multiple donors and ensure donor compliance and financial reporting;
• Strong representation, interpersonal and negotiation skills; excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of Arabic is an asset;
• Independent and proactive working style;
• High resilience to stress and pressurized situations;
• Empathy with Solidar’s vision, mission and values.

Starting date: January 2019

We offer an interesting and challenging assignment in a dynamic work environment in an international field of activities. If you are interested, please submit your complete application file with 2 referees to “[email protected]” (Ref. “CR Lebanon”) no later than November 5^th, 2018.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.