Lebanon Programmes Manager- British Red Cross

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

The British Red Cross (BRC) has been working in the MENA region since 2004 with partner national societies and opened a satellite office in Beirut in 2013.

The MENA & Mediterranean (MENAMed) region team in BRC work through and in close cooperation with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners in the region, including the IFRC and ICRC, Syrian Arab Red Crescent, Lebanese Red Cross, Iraq Red Crescent, Yemen Red Crescent, Libyan Red Crescent, and others. BRC are currently engaged with programming in, among others, disaster preparedness, capacity building, relief through cash and voucher assistance, and logistics-related programmes both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Job Purpose

To manage the successful delivery of the BRC Programmes with implementing partners in Lebanon. The role will have decision-making responsibility, subject to BRC leadership approval procedures, providing key strategic and programmatic management to ensure that activities are completed on time and within budget, that staff and systems are managed in accordance with relevant sectoral and BRC policies and procedures, and ensuring that the programme remains appropriate to the context. It will ensure that all back-donor obligations are met. The role will seek to identify and secure new funding opportunities to enable a continued BRC response while there are unmet humanitarian needs for relief or recovery, and to which BRC has an added value in responding. The role will have some delegated authority from the Country Manager to manage BRC’s engagement in the programmes within Lebanon.

The role will lead on the management and monitoring of BRC emergency response operational support to Red Cross partners though Movement partners. The role will also ensure that BRC proactively captures both the learnings from the programmes’ outcomes across the three countries.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

1. Programme Management

•  In accordance with delegated budget and operations management authority, take responsibility for the decision making on, and efficient and effective management of, the BRC programmes in Lebanon, and related budgets.
•  Work proactively with the BRC Disaster Management teams (response, recovery and logistics), Partnership Development teams, and Humanitarian Policy team to ensure appropriate on-going support responding to identified needs with Red Cross/Crescent national societies and that decision-making on methodologies are consistent with BRC International priorities.
•  Work closely with the MENA Regional Programme Manager to ensure the Lebanon programmes are coherent with the broader BRC MENA Regional Strategy and implementation plans, especially around capacity building support to the national societies. 
•  Ensure that the BRC programmes in Lebanon remain appropriate to the political, social, economic, environmental and cultural context of the countries in the region.  This includes the ability to analyse the context and make programme decisions accordingly (covering security, operational objectives and approaches, resourcing, and co-ordination).
•  Identify and advise on new programming options, including longer-term recovery as the situation allows, which are consistent with BRC’s regional priorities. 
•  Ensure appropriate management systems are in place regarding all BRC-supported activities (including but not limited to monitoring (seeking to ensure compliance with internationally recognised standards), security and health and safety, HR, accountability). 
•  When/if possible, undergo monitoring and support visits in Lebanon, working closely with the National Society, the IFRC and ICRC country delegation representatives to ensure the on-going relevance of programme direction and support.  
•  Liaise with and ensure timely instructions and adequate information are supplied to BRC support teams (finance, MEAL/CEA, logistics, PGI etc in order to meet the needs of this operation.
•  Contribute to the documentation and communication of learning within the organization and seek, where possible, to share that learning with key stakeholders.

2. Financial and human resource management

•  Take responsibility for the effective management of the programme budget ensuring accurate forecasting, reporting, and ensuring spending targets are met. 
•  Identify funding options for continued programming initiatives and lead on the development of proposals for, and the securing of, new contracts.
•  Ensure operations comply with BRC procedures, regulations and policies. In particular, ensure that the financial management of all funds meets with the standards established by the Finance Division and donors and liaise with the Head of International Finance within the International Division to achieve this objective.
•  Provide timely provision of clear and consistent information and operational narrative and financial reporting for BRC corporate and institutional donor proposals and reports. 
•  Ensure that the reporting and accountability needs of institutional donors (FCDO, ECHO, PPL and the DEC) are provided for.

3. External relationship management

•  Develop and maintain BRC operational relationships with the Lebanese Red Cross Society, IFRC secretariat at the country and regional levels, ICRC, other Participating National Societies (PNS), donors present in the region (especially FCDO) and relevant stakeholders, ensuring an open and transparent dialogue.

4. Team Member 

•  Actively participates in all team meetings 
•  Supports other team members the regional and other relevant teams 
• Provides clear and useful analysis and support as an advisor in the three national contexts. 
•  Work and behaves in accordance with all BRC policies and procedures

5. Other 

•  In accordance with established processes, contribute to the editing and sign off on information resources relating to the programmes which are produced by other BRC divisions, including texts for fundraising, communication, social media, web and other purposes.
•  If required, to give media interviews regarding the programmes, following sign off of the content via the established processes.
•  Facilitate technical and management visits from appropriate BRC UK Office staff
•  Any other reasonable duties as delegated by the Line Manager.
•  Uphold the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and work within the Society’s equal opportunities policy.

Education

• University degree (or equivalent work experience) in relevant to international humanitarian aid and/or development -Required

Experience

Relevant professional experience within the international humanitarian system or international development context for a minimum of 6 years is required -Required

Proven and considerable experience in the development and management of multi-million pound and multi-faceted humanitarian assistance programmes -Required

Demonstrable experience of managing humanitarian, recovery and/or development programmes in the Middle East-Required

Proven track record of working through, and in support of, partner organisations (preferably local National Societies) including working to develop their organisational capacity to respond- Required

Demonstrable experience working in demanding environments to multiple deadlines -Required

Experience in monitoring partners’ use of programming resources, preferably within the Red Cross Movement -Required

Experience of establishing effective relationships to influence and enable decision making -Required

Considerable experience of programme design, proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation -Required

Demonstrable experience of working with donors and managing donor funded programmes -Required

Experience leading / commissioning / supporting evaluations and learning reviews -Required

Experience in budget management -Required

Experience in RC/RC movement -Preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Clear and precise oral and written communication skills, including ability to engage with a variety of staff of different experience and managerial levels -Required

Ability to analyse both quantitative and qualitative data and interpret information to communicate to and persuade decision makers / different audiences, both written and verbal -Required

Comprehensive understanding of the current political, social and humanitarian situation in the Middle East, especially around the Lebanon context -Required

Strong budget and financial management skills -Required

Experience of analysing humanitarian contexts and operations, identifying pertinent issues, making operational and strategic recommendations -Required

Demonstrable ability to develop strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders working in a partnership approach -Required

A can-do attitude, with an ability to work independently and under pressure -Required

Strong organisational and planning skills including accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail -Required

Strong analytical skills, with proven problem-solving experience -Required

Self-sufficient in computers (particularly Excel, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, Zoom) -Required

Ability to establish priorities, plan, coordinate, implement and monitor work plan -Required

Ability to develop and maintain effective remote working relationships with counterparts in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity -Required

Teamwork; commitment to the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement; integrity & personal conduct; sensitivity to diversity; flexibility & adaptability; interpersonal skills; resilience; friendly. Have a positive attitude, resourceful, hardworking, trustworthy, mature and able to maintain confidentiality at all times. -Required

Willingness to travel when required -Required

LANGUAGES

English and Arabic -Required

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust 

Functional competencies: Strategic orientation; Building alliances; Leadership; Empowering others

Managerial competencies: Managing staff performance; Managing staff development

IFRC ensures equal employment opportunities.