PACES Lebanon Country Manager

Job Title: Lebanon Country Manager

Job Location: Beirut – Lebanon, with frequent travel throughout the country and abroad

Reports to:  Regional Program Development and Outreach Director

Start Date: 9 May 2022

About PACES

PACES is a UK based charity established in 2006, with the aim of providing healthy, structured after-school sports programs for Palestinian girls and boys ages 8-16 years living in refugee camps and most marginalized areas in Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon. Through its core sports for development program, PACES provides children with multiple educational benefits to help them thrive in their own communities. PACES also builds local capacity by training and hiring leaders in the local communities as coaches to deliver the sports programs, and partnering with local clubs and sports centers to facilitate the outreach and delivery of the program.

Since establishment, PACES has served over 30,000 children, 2,000 young female and male coaches, and over 100 local sports clubs. All PACES programs promote gender equality, and have successfully reached and maintained a 50% female participation rate.

PACES is an equal opportunities employer, and prohibits any distinction or discrimination based on nationality, race, ethnicity, tribe, gender, religious beliefs, political opinion, socio-economic status or disability. This policy applies to all HR practices within the organization. Hiring decisions are based only on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs.

General Description of the Role:

The Lebanon Country Manager is responsible for the management and ongoing development of PACES’ sports for development program in Lebanon. Through the program, PACES provides children with multiple educational benefits to help them thrive in their own communities. It also encourages discipline and cooperation, builds their confidence and self-awareness, and enhances their social development. The Lebanon Country Manager will be accountable for ensuring that the program is implemented in adherence with PACES’ standard policies and procedures, and contributing effectively and efficiently towards meeting the short, medium- and long-term objectives of the organization. S/he will also be responsible to identify and meet the needs of PACES beneficiaries set by the program.

The Lebanon Country Manager will be accountable for the quality of activities planned and implemented under the program, whether implemented directly or through partnerships with local and international NGOs and organizations.

The Lebanon Country Manager will report to the Regional Program Development and Outreach Director, and work closely with Regional M&E team, Regional Finance & Admin team, and other Program teams in the region.

Overall Responsibilities:

Leadership:

-Ensure that PACES’ policies, systems, procedures and guidelines are implemented

-Develop and lead PACES’ sports for development program and activities in Lebanon, to achieve PACES’ objectives and mission

-Ensure high quality delivery of PACES program and activities

-Coordinate effectively with other functions or units within the organization

-Monitor the development and implementation of PACES program through periodic and regular field visits and assessments

-Oversee preparation and implementation of operational budget

-Manage program team in Lebanon, and ensure all members share a unified vision of the program’s aims, and understand their role in achieving these aims

-Take an active role in the sport for development sector and the ecosystem in general by developing key partnerships with other NGOs, associations, and other organizations.

-Contribute to PACES’ Regional Team’s efforts including but not limited to; fundraising, proposal writing, donor reporting, and strategy development

Program Management:

-Ensure that PACES program and activities are implemented within initial plan, budget, timeframe, and objectives, and make adjustments or amendments when necessary

-Produce high-quality timely reports as instructed, for both internal and external use

-Ensure program assessments are in place and all M&E activities are being conducted

-Ensure accountability to PACES program beneficiaries

-Represent PACES in initiatives, partnerships, events, and media events

-Manage individual or corporate donor relationship when needed

-Oversee and ensure productive working relationships with relevant third parties

Administration & Financial Control: 

-Oversee budget preparation for the program and its activities, within set parameters the processes

-Ensure that Lebanon program and activities are implemented within the set budget

-Ensure all finance/procurement/logistics procedures are according to the compliance system

-Ensure that appropriate logistic, administrative and financial structures and procedures are maintained in accordance with the guidelines

-Ensure technical and administrative reports are delivered in a timely manner

-Provide support needed to maintain PACES legal status in Lebanon, in compliance with local regulations and laws

Team Management:

-Manage staff effectively, including appropriate and systematic delegation

-Conduct regular performance reviews and ensure effective teamwork among staff members

-Ensure there are a regular, documented forum / meeting for all team members to share knowledge and discuss the program plan and developments

-Create capacity building opportunities for staff members to further build and develop their skills

-Coach and mentor staff to maximize their contribution

-Manage hiring, staffing, and orientation process for new team members in Lebanon according to PACES policies and procedures

-Ensure all Lebanon team members’ full compliance with PACES Code of Conduct and Child Protection Policy

Security:

-Ensure program key information and data is kept safely

-Ensure the security of Lebanon program staff and beneficiaries and adequate response to emergency situations

Other:

-Carry out any other duties as requested by the Regional Program Development and Outreach Director or Executive Committee.

Qualifications:

-Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in social or economic sciences, business administration, management, or a related field.

-At least 10 years of experience in the development sector, and 2 years in a senior position; with experience in program management, team management and leadership

-Previous experience in managing programs in multiple locations

-Knowledge and work experience in Palestinian Refugee Camps across Lebanon

-Previous experience in contributing to M&E systems and assessments

-Previous experience in sports for development programs and programs targeting children is an asset

Required Skills:

-Fluency in Arabic and English, spoken and written. French is a plus.

-Demonstrated ability to lead and manage staff members in multiple locations

-Demonstrate ability to adapt to different environments and setups

-Demonstrated ability to write assessments and project reports, in English and Arabic

-Strong management and leadership skills

-Strong networking and representational skills

-Very strong organizational skills, and ability to manage changing workload

-Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, oral, cross-cultural)

-Strong presentation skills

-Excellent Microsoft Office skills

Desirable Skills:

-Media experience: communicating with different media sectors, issuing official statements, preparing press releases related to the program

-Networking and outreach

-Training experience: experience in giving trainings, preparing training materials…etc.