Country Director - Lebanon

Position Summary

The Country Director manages the overall program in Lebanon from a programmatic and operational perspective, as well as leading on fundraising and donor relations. Principle tasks will be to manage the entire portfolio, determine appropriate implementing mechanisms to achieve projects’ strategic goals, serve as the primary program liaison for donors, partners and stakeholders in the country, oversee planning and budgeting, and reporting/evaluations, ensuring compliance with management and financial procedures. The position will report to the MENA Regional Director based in Amman, Jordan.

Search-Lebanon

Search currently has programs in ten countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Search has led conflict transformation programming in Lebanon since 1996, seeking to promote a culture of peace, dialogue, and inclusion across communities. We do this by supporting those who champion dialogue and inclusion, and by breaking down barriers of prejudice and stereotypes between and among groups. Our toolbox includes capacity building, media production, coalition-building, dialogue facilitation, and community outreach. We combine these tools in innovative ways to engage all levels of society, partnering with individuals and organizations with specialized expertise.

Key Responsibilities

Roles and responsibilities include:

• Serve as Search’s representative in Lebanon
• Oversee the implementation of the Lebanon country strategy within the overall vision and goals of the organization
• Oversee the management of Search-Lebanon’s projects while managing project priorities, developing plans and long-term strategies in Lebanon
• Raise additional support for the Lebanon programs through fundraising efforts and other channels, as necessary
• Identify new opportunities for Search involvement in Lebanon and explore new innovative ways to ensure the continuation of Search programming in the region
• Represent Search in donor visits and meetings both in Europe and the US
• Take full responsibility for the financial management and health of the Search-Lebanon program, including budget management, financial reporting, and budget monitoring
• Oversee the monitoring and evaluation practices to capture the results achieved by the different projects and the program as a whole, supported in part by the Design Monitoring and Evaluation Team
• Work with public and private actors, local and international non-governmental organizations, the media and communities across the country on promoting a culture of dialogue
• Develop and maintain relationships with international and local trainers, partner organizations, other NGOs, media, donors, clients, key government officials, and others especially as part of the Syria refugee crisis coordination mechanism led by GoL and UN agencies
• Ensure compliance with donor regulations
• Ensure full compliance with all Search Safety & Security Policies and Procedures
• Oversee the management of grants and budgets and report regularly to supervisor
• Work closely with Lebanon senior management team to ensure strong office structures and systems are in place and adapt to new context and programmatic realities
• Ensure that work environment is conducive to staff development and empowerment and adopt a participatory, inclusive approach to planning and staff management
• Ensure the recruitment, effective supervision and evaluation of Search’s program and project staff (30+) in Lebanon
• Ensure ongoing capacity-building efforts of staff members, particularly in specific thematic areas relevant to the Lebanon portfolio as well as for program and budget management
• Stay informed of the international conflict transformation field to ensure that the program’s work remains innovative and professional
• Maintain local administrative policies and procedures, ensuring that they comply with Search policies
• Be directly engaged in the continuing development of the organization, its mission and its staff, through the sharing of experience and knowledge, particularly contributing to its Institutional Learning efforts
• Contribute to Search growth and development in other countries, as may be appropriate

As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Qualifications

You meet the following qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related area required (Master’s degree preferred)

Experience

• At least ten (10) years of experience in international relations, peace-building, and/or related fields, including democracy and governance issues and civil society strengthening
• Extensive experience working in and/or knowledge of Lebanon, as well as the political, social and cultural issues affecting the region including challenges related to the refugee crisis
• Strong knowledge of and experience in conflict transformation, dialogue, negotiation, and mediation approaches
• Significant experience in project management at a high level in a non-profit environment
• Demonstrated experience with budgeting, project development, fundraising, proposal and report writing, and grants management
• Demonstrated financial management and program administration experience

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to successfully manage and inspire a team in the field of conflict transformation, international development or related fields
• Excellent managerial skills, interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional working relationships
• Dynamic leader with creative problem-solving skills and negotiation skills
• Knowledge of donor rules and regulations, and ability to manage and prioritize multi donor funding
• Proven ability in convening and facilitating multi-party meetings and ongoing dialogues
• Demonstrated experience in setting up and managing monitoring systems and initiating regular evaluations of programs
• Ability to work with people at all levels, ranging from high-level officials to community leaders
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• Written and oral fluency in English. Fluency in Arabic is highly desired.
• Ability to function as a social entrepreneur
• A strong team spirit