Programme Manager (Beirut and Mount Lebanon)

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement rotes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfilment of the wish to return home.

DRC has been operational in Lebanon for 16 years responding to the various crises affecting the country – Palestinian refugees, Lebanese IDPs following the 2006 conflict, the situation of migrant, domestic workers, and since 2011, DRC is predominantly responding to needs related to the Syria crisis, targeting both refugees and the population that hosts them.  DRC has been delivering humanitarian programming in North, Akkar, Bekaa through direct implementation and partnership modalities.. DRC programming seeks to improve living conditions of displaced populations and contribute to the achievement of durable solutions as well as support vulnerable Lebanese host populations affected by the protracted displacement of some 1.8 million Syrian and Palestinian refugees. DRC operates directly and through capacity building of partners through an integrated response strengthening protection, economic recovery, risk education, supporting accountability and effectiveness of the humanitarian response through coordination and analysis of referrals (RIMS) and increasingly looking into the social stability sector. Since the onset of the Syrian crisis, DRC has implemented programming exceeding $267 million in grants through donors such as Danida, ECHO, EU Trust Fund, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNFPA, DFID, PRM, SDC, and private foundations.   The political crisis which started in mid-2019, followed by an acute economic and financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and, most recently, the Beirut Blast on August 4^th,  has had a profound impact on the country, affecting both refugees and the population that hosts them. In view of the exacerbation of needs caused by these combined crises, DRC recently started to set up an office in Beirut and Mount Lebanon Governorates and started emergency livelihoods and protection activities. The purpose of this role is to finalize the set-up of and lead on the Beirut emergency response and expand further DRC’s recovery activities and portfolio in Beirut and Mount Lebanon.

About the job

Develop and manage DRC portfolio in Beirut and Mount Lebanon currently centered around strengthening of protection and emergency livelihoods assistance for disaster and displacement affected populations, including vulnerable Lebanese populations and Syrian and other refugee populations.
• Manage provision of direct humanitarian assistance (economic recovery) and support to implementation by local partners (child protection and basic assistance)
• Represent DRC in relevant humanitarian coordination fora, engaging with UN & INGO counterparts and proactively seeking to shape agendas in line with DRC and humanitarian priorities. In addition, representation of the programme to partners and authorities will boost DRC's profile and portfolio.
• Provide vision, leadership and direction to DRC humanitarian team and, as well as overseeing the administration and implementation of the grants, personnel and M&E.

• Ensure the quality of the planning, implementation and follow up of all project activities being implemented by DRC

Responsibilities:

Overall management of DRC portfolio in Beirut

• Oversee programme quality of current and proposed projects
• Ensure compliance of current & proposed projects within scope of DRC programme department, including Donor reporting
• Ensure positions are staffed and projects are on track
• Develop clear lines of communication between project staff and partners
• Ensure efficient and effective program implementation while following the budget and work plan
• Participate in preparing monthly/quarterly/annual highlights/reports and proposals and budgets for donors
• Support the monitoring of financial commitments and expenditures against budgets and provide timely feedback on budget follow-up
• Plan and coordinate proactively logistics and movements of staff from and to different operational areas
• Initiate procurements and ensure their execution

Identification, selection, and support to local implementing partners

• Lead and coordinate partnership mapping, vetting, selection, and assessments for DRC's local partners

• Support in contextualizing DRC Lebanon’s partnership strategy to the Beirut context through identification of strategic partner portfolios that can add unique value to DRC’s programming in Beirut and is responsive to the needs of affected populations in Beirut specifically

• Coordinate technical and operational support to partners in accordance with identification of needs and assessment of partner capacities

• Serve as the primary communication focal point to partners, lead internal coordination meetings with partners, work with partners to ensure effective program implementation and quality in accordance with DRC Project Management Tool, and address day to day concerns flagged by partners

• Work with DRC technical and operational capacity building officers (in the North and Bekaa offices) to follow up with partners on various stages of the project and ensure effective donor compliance

• Identify risks related to partnership management and implement mitigation measures

• Support partners with proposal and budget development and donor reporting, as required.

Grants Management

• Ensure high quality narrative and financial donor reports are produced, including through support to partners

• Contribute inputs to monthly Project Management and Grants Management meetings

• Liaise closely with DRC technical coordinators/specialists, Monitoring & Evaluation, Partnerships department, field offices, finance, HR, and procurement to ensure effective grants management and coordinate support to partners as required

Strategy and funding development and resource mobilisation

• Update and maintain a DRC narrative based on the evolving context
• Feed into country action plan and country-wide technical strategies with Beirut-specific inputs
• Contribute to proposal development and fundraising efforts

• Support in development of Beirut-specific strategic action plan in alignment with DRC’s Country Action Plan, technical sectoral strategies, and partnerships strategy

Advocacy, coordination and representation

• Represent DRC and articulate the key advocacy points in relevant sector working groups (e.g. general protection, child protection, basic assistance, and livelihoods)

• Coordinate DRC's programme response with other actors in relevant sectors and partners.
• Ensure a coordinated approach to the humanitarian response, geographically and by sector.
• Represent DRC to relevant national authorities

As a Program Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC

About you

• The ideal candidate will have at least 4 years' experience in a relevant role (program management, project development, etc.) involving responsibility for developing new and successful proposals. Bachelors or Master's degree in a relevant subject, such as human rights law, international relations and/or international development

Required

At least 4 years' experience in a relevant role (program management, project development, etc.) involving responsibility for developing new and successful proposals

• Skills and experience in project/program planning, delivery, monitoring, reporting, review and evaluation
• Skills in fundraising, budget management and donor reporting/ accountability/ compliance
• Experience in working in complex emergencies or challenging security settings and within security management frameworks. Calm and diplomatic in nature.
• Experience in capacity building of staff and local partners
• Ability to produce timely project proposals and high quality reports
• Full professional proficiency in English

Desirable

•  Knowledge of Lebanese context, local dynamics and stakeholders in Beirut is a plus
•  Knowledge of Arabic is a plus
•  Knowledge of Lebanese context, local dynamics and stakeholders in Beirut is a plus

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 

Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 6 months  from starting date , until 25th of May 2021

Band/Level: F - Management

Duty Station: Beirut

Start date: DRC suggested start date January 2021

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact [email protected]