Head of Middle East Unit

Background

EuroMed Rights is a non-governmental organization aiming to promote cooperation and dialogue in and between countries on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a network representing 68 human rights organizations, institutions and defenders in 30 countries.

It was founded in January 1997 in response to the Barcelona Declaration of November 1995 and the establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP), by civil society organizations dedicated to promoting human rights and democracy within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. EuroMed Rights’ organisational structure is built on a general assembly, an executive committee, working groups and a secretariat.

EuroMed Rights’ mission is to promote and strengthen human rights and democratic reforms at regional and national levels. By creating network opportunities and encouraging civil society cooperation, EuroMed Rights aims to develop and strengthen the partnerships between NGOs located within the Euro-Mediterranean area, to spread and promote human rights values and to increase members’ capacities to reach these objectives.

EuroMed Rights’ head office is situated in Copenhagen. The organisation has offices in Brussels and Tunis, and presence in Turkey and Morocco. For further information, visit our website at www.euromedrights.org.

EuroMed Rights aims to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the ground of race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origins, gender, marital status, caring responsibilities, sexual orientation, disability or chronic illness.

Job Summary

EuroMed Rights is seeking an experienced and dynamic professional to join us as the Head of our Middle East Unit. This pivotal position will be based in Beirut, at the office of our esteemed member and partner organization, CLDH (Lebanese Center for Human Rights), with frequent travel to Europe.

We would like to emphasize that the Head of Middle East Unit will be based in Lebanon, which represents a new location for EuroMed Rights. This presents a unique opportunity for the selected candidate to contribute to the development and expansion of our Middle East Programmes Unit. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction of our work in the Middle East region and strengthening our presence in this important geographical area.

 As the Head of the Middle East Unit, you will assume a key middle management role, providing strategic leadership and continuous support to the supervised staff in grant management and fundraising. You will have direct involvement in these tasks whenever necessary. Additionally, your responsibilities will encompass overseeing the implementation of country programmes, monitoring the human rights situation in the Middle East countries, cultivating and managing partnerships, and acting as the representative of EuroMed Rights in the Middle East region.

We are seeking an individual who possesses exceptional leadership skills, demonstrated expertise in grant management and fundraising, and a keen understanding of the human rights landscape in the Middle East.  

Essential position functions:

• Planning, implementation and evaluation: devise strategic orientations and activity roadmaps; ensure work plan implementation; represent EuroMed Rights externally; develop contacts and relevant actions with member organisations; take an active part in the reporting, evaluation and learning processes based on outcomes achieved.

• Staff supervision and organisational matters: lead the Middle East team to ensure that objectives are achieved, and results properly documented; provides staff with supervision and guidance, development and training in coordination with the Human Resource Department; coordinate with other departments and programmes to develop synergies; oversee financial envelopes and payments.
• Grant management and fundraising: actively support programme staff in managing grants or manage a grant directly; maintain contacts with donors; ensure that budgets, narrative and financial reports are properly and timely prepared, in close coordination with the Finance Department; coordinate with Fundraising Officer on fundraising issues related to programme activities.
• Gender mainstreaming: apply EuroMed Rights gender mainstreaming policy to the above activities.

Note: The job description may be subject to change based on organizational needs.

Profile, Skills and Background:

• A University degree in political/social science, law, business administration, management or a related field. Other similar qualifications may also be considered;
• Minimum 5 years of proven experience in the protection of human rights, and proven track record with civil society work. Knowledge of the EU institutions, Member States and/or UN mechanisms will be considered an asset;
• Sound knowledge of the NGO sector, preferably at international level, and understanding of political and human rights issues in the Middle East region, i.e. Mashreq and Turkey;
• Experience of supervising/coordinating staff (also long distance) and ability to work in a multicultural environment;
• Desired experience of managing complex and multi-stakeholder projects/grants efficiently and diplomatically; ability to work with and reconcile the views of diverse organisations and individuals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain contacts with NGOs, EU/government representatives, and donors.
• Ability to be clear and concise in written and oral communication, including in public.
• Self-motivated, well-organised, keen attention to details, able to prioritise and work independently and efficiently under pressure.
• Languages: fluency in English (oral and written) is imperative as well as of either French or Arabic.  Knowledge of all three languages will be considered an asset.
• Computer literacy, including proficiency in online solutions for creative and secure meetings.
• Ability to do frequent travels (as part of the teams to be supervised will be in Brussels)