Lebanon Program and Operations Director

The Lebanon Program and Operations Director will manage implementation and evaluation of the office’s intake, screening, and referral processes as well as be a representative for IRAP in our interactions with the United Nations, national governments, and other relevant agencies.

Responsibilities
    Program Management

• Supervise, monitor, and develop the client screening and intake process to ensure the system works efficiently and prioritizes potential clients’ best interests in consultation with MEFD and legal staff
• Supervise, monitor, and develop the wraparound service referral process to ensure robust mechanisms exist to support the most vulnerable clients in consultation with MEFD and Lebanon staff
• Coordinate with Lebanon Office Staff Attorneys to ensure successful program implementation
• Coordinate with MEFD and Jordan Program & Operations Director to develop annual work plans for non-attorney field staff and support team in meeting their targets
• Help with organizing the MENA retreat, including event planning and travel arrangements, in coordination with the MEFD and Jordan Program & Operations Director

External Relations

• Represent IRAP in interactions with Lebanese authorities, including organizational registration, tax and national health insurance compliance, and assist with obtaining staff visas and work permits
• Organize annual student trips for visiting law students, attorneys, and/or donor stakeholders with the goal of encouraging a long-term interest in IRAP’s work and refugee advocacy more broadly
• Represent IRAP before UN and US government officials and NGO partners in close coordination with MEFD and other IRAP staff
• Participate in and/or supervise staff participation in relevant inter-agency/NGO forums, working groups, and networks; ensure continuous and adequate communication with local partners and explore possibilities for new partnerships as appropriate
• Organize and accompany donor, HQ, or other field visits to the IRAP Lebanon office
• Coordinate with the Development team and MEFD to support donor relations
• Support the Communications and Litigation teams by coordinating the identification of potential plaintiffs, spokespeople, and compelling client stories from within the local client population

     
    Operational Management
 

• Develop and implement new operations protocols and professionalize existing operations in coordination with IRAP’s Operations Department to ensure there are clear policies, expectations, and boundaries in place at all times for recruiting/hiring, cash handling, procurement, internal communication, security, emergency situations, and other finance, HR, legal, and administrative topics
• Coordinate with IRAP HQ and Field Management to ensure that all program administration and financial management is in line with IRAP policies and regulations
• Supervise the timely production, verification, and submission of financial reports and ensure regular budget monitoring protocols are in place
• Ensure the maintenance of IRAP’s status as a lawfully registered NGO in Lebanon
• Coordinate the recruitment, hiring, and/or management of local financial and legal advisors, including handling any issues related to work and residency permits, visas, and office zoning codes
• Execute and manage local employee contracts
• Establish local bank account
• Ensure bookkeeping procedures are followed and financial accounts are regularly reconciled
   

Human Resources and Supervision
 

• Supervise the Office & Accounts Manager and Humanitarian Assistance Coordinator
• Manage the volunteer and intern program, including 5-10 active volunteers/interns at a time
• Provide regular coaching and culturally sensitive leadership to guide staff in accomplishing goals
• Oversee all in-country HR management, including the recruitment of personnel, performance reviews for non-attorney staff, development of job descriptions, and participate in determining salary scales

Qualifications

• BA required, relevant advanced degree preferred
• Arabic fluency required, native speaker level preferred
• Fluent in spoken and written English
• Experience in navigating governmental and institutional bureaucracy in the MENA region
• Knowledge of international refugee law and procedures preferred
• Ability to be flexible in a fast-paced and high-pressure work environment
• Highly organized and motivated, able to multitask, manage a high volume workload, and excellent time management skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; comfortable working with diverse populations
• Strong program management skills; comfortable designing and implementing long term plans and managing a departmental budget and accounting system
• Prior experience and a high degree of skill in personnel supervision and program management
• Prior international nonprofit/NGO employment is a plus – especially in the international humanitarian context
• A two-year commitment to the position is preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Suite and Google Suite