Country Director

About Heartland Alliance: Heartland Alliance (HA) advances the human rights and responds to the human needs of endangered populations—particularly the poor, the isolated, and the displaced—through the provision of comprehensive and respectful services and the promotion of permanent solutions leading to a more just global society. In Lebanon, HA provides holistic services focusing on psychosocial support, violence prevention, livelihoods strengthening and social cohesion to diverse vulnerable populations affected by the Syrian refugee crisis, including women and girls, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) individuals, and survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), torture and trauma. Summary: The Country Director provides the strategic vision and leadership for Heartland Alliance (HA)’s Lebanon country office. S/he has overall supervision over safety and security, operations, programs and support services. The CD is responsible for the quality and effectiveness of HA’s country plan. S/he is responsible and accountable for fundraising and budget management, developing, coordinating and managing all project activities, building and strengthening relationships with donors and partners, and managing and mentoring a motivated, professional team. Reporting to the Regional Director, the Country Director will work closely with, and receive support from regional and headquarters program technical units, safety and security services, regional finance and operations staff. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Strategic Planning and Management Working closely with the Regional Director to develop a strategic direction and plan for the country program in accordance with HA’s mission and program framework Program Quality and Development Leading program development processes; designing and reviewing project proposals and budgets General coordination of HA’s overall projects activities ensuring their implementation in compliance with the grant agreement and according to schedule Supervising project planning, organization, financial, technical and human resources ensuring outputs are achieved on time and within the allocated budget Supervising technical direction on the implementation of the project at all levels. Ensuring activities are in accordance with the adopted standards, cost efficient, and meet local requirements. Setting up a monitoring and evaluation plan and ensuring that project documentation and performance reports are according to HA and Donors rules and standards Key Partner and Donor Relations Maintaining and strengthening partner relationships with project beneficiaries and local authorities through continuous follow up, technical support and representation and ensuring their empowerment to identify and articulate their needs and priorities through a participatory process. Identifying and liaising with all relevant stakeholders: INGOs, local NGOs, UN, donors, host government Developing and maintaining a high level of understanding of donor priorities and strategic approaches, country plans and planned funding initiatives Developing, strengthening and diversifying relationships with a wide range of range of donors Representing HA at high-level inter-agency levels; maintaining and expanding participation with key donors, host government, local stakeholders and relevant policy and coordinating bodies Fundraising and Budget Management Supervising financial, administrative and logistical processes such as requesting the advancement of project funds; preparing periodical working budget, supervising preparation of cost estimation, procurement procedures for goods, services and works, contracting, payments, accountability; drafting financial reporting Security and Operations Management Monitoring the security situation and actively participating in national-level security groups such as the Lebanon INGO Safety and Security Forum (LISSF); providing security updates to staff and affiliates in a timely manner Maintaining and regularly updating the HA Lebanon Security Plan; ensuring the consistent monitoring and analysis of the security environment and adherence by all staff to security protocols and procedures Working with country, regional and headquarters staff for the development, implementation and monitoring of financial and operational policy and procedures to ensure constant compliance with HA and donor policies Human Resource Management, Staff Development and Retention Implementing office and management procedures, security and recruiting/supervising staff Fostering effective collaboration within the country team and with regional and headquarters staff Supervisory Responsibilities: The Country Director leads and supervises existing projects, develops new programs and coordinates operations in Lebanon, and represents HA Lebanon externally. S/he supervises and manages all country-based staff and affiliates, ensuring staff development and retention through continuous mentoring and training. Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education and/or Experience: Minimum of 5 years humanitarian aid experience at management level in complex crisis including highly volatile situations. Substantial experience in safety and security management. Strong understanding of the political and humanitarian context in Lebanon and the region. Fundraising Skills: Extensive program development and fundraising experience; prior experience with a wide range of international donors. Management Skills: Experience in complex decision-making and leading a multi-disciplinary, multi-national team under difficult circumstances; high level of all aspects of managerial experience, including managing multi-million dollar budgets. Language Skills:  Must have written and spoken fluency in English and Arabic or French. Communication Skills: Listens and gets clarification, responds well to questions and feedback, participates in meetings, effectively communicates utilizing a variety of technologies such as phone or video phone (i.e. Skype, Google Hangout), writes clearly and informatively, and edits work for clarity, style, spelling and grammar. Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange; Windows operating systems; and other software routinely used by Heartland Alliance. Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.