Country Representative (National applicants)

Position Description
The Country Representaive in Lebanon is a member of the Near East Foundation leadership
team, reporting to the Vice President of Operations (HQ), has overall responsibility for the
effective management and implementation of the NEF projects in Lebanon as well as external
relations duties.
Responsibilities
The Lebanon Country Representative will be responsible for the following areas:
Program Management
• Ensures project activities are implemented in a timely and effective manner, as outlined in
the project proposals and budgets and in accordance with NEF and donor policies and
regulations;
• Supports the development of quarterly and annual implementation plans and monthly
updates, in coordination with project staff and local partner organizations;
• Continuously assesses the context, assumptions and changes in the operating environment to
ensure project focus, strategies and activities remain relevant;
• Recommends project changes including realignment of activities, budgets, and contract
extensions.
Program Development and External Relations
• Maintains ongoing communication with project stakeholder regarding project progress and
challenges;
• Functions as the primary point of contact with the donor community in Lebanon;
• Establishes a positive working relationships with relevant government offices, local and
international organizations, academic institutions and private sector actors with activities
relevant to the project and identifies areas of potential collaboration in coordination with
HQ Program Development team;
• Contributes to program development and proposal writing for project expansion, transition
and sustainability;
• Contributes to expansion and diversification of NEF’s program in Lebanon;
• Maintains effective, open and transparent communication with NEF offices in the region
and with Headquarters to ensure consistent information sharing and support, including
financial, administrative and HR matters.
Leadership
• Supervises country teams;
• Exercises team and strategic leadership, technical capacity and motivational support to the
country project team through orientations, regular supervision, regular team meetings,
learning and reflection events.
Project Administration
• Oversees the preparation of periodic progress/final reports in compliance with donor
requirements;
• Ensures compliance with applicable donor rules and regulations, including familiarizing all
relevant project staff to them;
• Manages project budgets, including monthly review of expense reports;
• Supports the preparation of procurement plans and monitors procurement processes;
• Ensures safety and duty of care for staff, and the security and appropriate use of project and
NEF assets;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements
The successful candidate must be a self-directed and self-motivated individual with the following
qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in development, international relations, management, economics, public
administration or other relevant field of study;
• 7 years minimum of relevant work experience with development and/or humanitarian
organizations (including a minimum of 4 years at a senior management level) in post-conflict
settings, preferably working with refugees and vulnerable host communities;
• Solid experience working with and monitoring local and national NGOs as implementing
partners;
• Expertise in one or more of the following program areas: income generation and livelihoods,
agriculture, water and sanitation/environmental health, protection, and gender & rightsbased
approaches;
• Proven track record in project management, including project planning, implementation and
oversight, including managing budgets;
• Proven skills in partnership building, influence and negotiation with a range of humanitarian
actors, including governments, UN agencies, academic institutions, networks, national/local
NGOs and community groups;
• Experience in effective people and team management, including implementation of the code
of conduct and anti-corruption measures;
• Experience in managing the safety of staff and assets;
• Significant Lebanon-specific experience in this domain, and familiarity with the operational
environments in Bekaa, North and Akkar regions;
• Understanding of the concepts behind and practical application of humanitarian codes and
standards such as SPHERE, People In Aid Code, and Core Humanitarian Standard
• Fluency in English and Arabic; excellent verbal and written communication skills, including
effective report writing;
• Fluency in English is required; excellent verbal and written communication skills, including
effective report writing;
• Must be able to live and work in Lebanon without NEF sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working in similar humanitarian and/or development contexts outside of
Lebanon strongly preferred;
• Fluency in Arabic is strongly preferred.
Position Criteria
• Flexible, creative and solution-oriented approach in an innovative and frequently highpressure
environment;
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to work effectively across a wide variety of
cultural contexts;
• Effective team player, able to develop and maintain effective working relationships within a
disperse and dynamic team;