Head of Base / Programs Manager

INTERSOS is a non-profit humanitarian aid organization that works to bring assistance to people in danger, victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Established in 1992 with support from the Italian Federation of Trade Unions, its actions are based on the values of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equal rights and opportunities for all people and respect for diversity and coexistence, paying particular attention to the most vulnerable and the unprotected.

INTERSOS identifies with the core values of CONCORD, the European Confederation of NGOs; it adheres to international codes of conduct for humanitarian organizations and the values and principles expressed within those codes. INTERSOS is recognized by the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the European Commission and the principal UN agencies; it is privileged to hold an advisory status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

INTERSOS is an independent association which, through its own humanitarian operators, intervenes to effectively answer the needs of people in serious crises situations, mainly in the world's poorest regions, who are suffering, deprived of rights, dignity and essentials goods. It maintains a flexible operating structure. The head office in Italy coordinates, supports and monitors the planned activities in the countries of intervention carried out by decentralized offices.

Job Title          : Head of Base/Programs Manager

Reports to             : Head of Mission and Program Coordinator

Duty Station          : Tyre, South Lebanon

Position Type        : Full Time

General Context of the Project:

INTERSOS is an Italian non-profit, humanitarian aid organization founded in 1992. INTERSOS works towards a world of equality, justice, peace and solidarity, to achieve this INTERSOS helps people to live in dignity and safety, alleviating suffering and meeting their needs. The mission of INTERSOS is to support people, families and communities in areas most effected by crisis around the world, providing crucial assistance to populations in life threatening situations, in situations of famine and suffering resulting from extreme poverty, disasters, and conflict. INTERSOS started to work in Lebanon in 2006 to support the Lebanese people affected by the Lebanese-Israeli war. Since 2013 INTERSOS has been supporting the vulnerable populations in Lebanon affected by the Syrian conflict, including both Syrian refugees and affected Lebanese people.

The South base currently has 3 projects – a protection project, funded by UNHCR that aims at promoting a favourable protection environment for Syrian refugees in South Lebanon via the promotion of comprehensive case management services for Persons of Concern (POCs) and Persons with Specific Needs (PwSNs).The second project, funded by ECHO focused on GBV prevention and response in Nabatiyeh. The third project, funded by BPRM, with a holistic protection response on Covid-19 and socio-economic crisis increased threats for Syrian and Lebanese communities. .

Job Purpose:

The position includes two main components: the program management of INTERSOS portfolio in the South, and the global supervision of region & Tyre base and its daily functioning. This entails the project management of the different projects acquired at base level with the overall regional coordination supported by the dedicated project teams assigned for the management of the project (Deputy Project Manager / Project Activity Manager) and supported by the functional roles in charge of the base programs technical supervision (Protection Manager, Deputy Shelter manager, etc.).

On the project management, the Program Manager is responsible for the overall management, economic and financial administration of the projects and overall supervision of the implementation process, ensuring the achievement of its objectives and results.

As Head of Base, he/she is responsible for the whole coordination and supervision of the support functions (admin/finance, Logistic and procurement, human resources, MEAL and security) in coordination with relevant departments.

As part of the mission Senior Management Team (SMT), s/he will be in charge of identifying partnerships, funding opportunities, arising needs to contribute to project design and proposal writing and base strategic development. 

Generic Duties:

Program management

• Ensures an effective planning, implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation of the overall programs at base level, including the different projects’ timely delivery services according to targets set in the project description.
• Guarantees an efficient financial management for the projects, in compliance with INTERSOS model and donor regulations
• Conducts regular meetings with program and support (as needed) staff to follow up on project implementation including revision of targets against achievements, identification of gaps in the response in order to define needed adjustments in the implementation

Team Management & Human Resources Management

• Ensures project teams management and coordination (in particular coordination between the different projects ongoing in the area of intervention).
• Ensures regular performance appraisal of supervised staff in line with internal regulations.
• Ensures timely recruitment of national staff, in coordination with relevant support staff, as per INTERSOS policy for staff recruitment.
• Ensures respect of and adherence to INTERSOS rules and regulations, code of conduct and ethical values chart.
• Ensures and proposing capacity-building opportunities for national staff, keeping clear oversight and reporting on trainings attended and conducted by national staff.

Financial Management and procurement

• Prepares and ensures regular update of financial and procurement plan(s),
• Verifies and approves purchase, in line with the budget and the financial and procurement plan.
• Verifies on a weekly basis the bookkeeping entries in the INTERSOS accounting spreadsheets (PN): verifying budget line allocations, budget expenditure status against actual delivery and the financial plan for the project implementation period.
• Ensures purchases of goods, services, supplies are in line with the relevant INTERSOS procurement guidelines and procurement plans
• Verifies the list of expenditures, prior to finalizing the interim and final financial reports.
• Holds final responsibility for verification of all support documents.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Delivers timely quality reporting on project activities (as per donor and INTERSOS guidelines), including findings in terms of impact on individual and communities.
• Provides monthly updates to the Program coordinator about project progress including achievements vs targets using the monitoring tool developed by INTERSOS (PAT)
• In coordination with the coordination team and MEAL department, contributes to the preparation of the Monitoring and Evaluation plans

Project and Area Strategy, reporting and planning

• Contributes to the formulation of new projects as well as of the program strategy for the respective area of intervention
• Ensures a comprehensive vision of the intervention in the South strengthening the complementary of different projects implemented in the area.
• Collaborates with the other PMs in order to integrate the different interventions in the same medium/long-term strategy.

Coordination and representation

• Establishes and managing relations pertaining to project activities, with relevant stakeholders, local authorities, relevant donors and institutions.
• Ensures INTERSOS representation through participation to relevant IA coordination forum in the South
• Proactively participates and represents INTERSOS in relevant working groups (i.e. inter-agency and other relevant working groups) at the regional level (South).
• Proactively engages in bi-lateral meetings with other INGOs and NGOs active in relevant sectors and geographical areas to avoid duplication, ensure coordination and referral and work for complementary efforts.
• Ensures systematic information and update sharing with the Programme Coordinator and relevant colleagues.

Base Management

• Ensures coordination of support functions (i.e., administration, logistics, security, HR) at Base level.
• Ensures the good integration between the different departments in the base (programs/support) with regular base management meetings and follow-up of the action plans that may be set.
• Ensures follow up on security related matters at the Base level in the South for all projects and staff (as per INTERSOS Lebanon security framework and tools) in coordination with the Liaison officer and the Head of Mission
• Ensures support to the international missions deployed in the South area from HQ and other missions, including accommodation, logistic support and security advice.
• Acts as responsible for the office and other official INTERSOS premises including follow up on the security location, maintenance, finalization of the contract.
• Collaborates with the other HoBs in order to integrate the operational frameworks in the same medium/long-term strategy.
• Ensures regular update of the Comprehensive Planning Process (CPP) as requested by the Head of Mission.
• Contributes to the operationalization of risk prevention and mitigation measures set in the CPP as per agreed tools and procedures.

Specific Duties:

Any additional task strictly related to the role and necessary for the implementation of the activities.

Education:

• University Degree in Business management, Social Work, Gender Studies, Law or related field. Master degree is a plus.

Competencies: (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

Professional Competencies:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant work experience with at least 3 years in managerial role.
• Minimum 4 years of experience working in the humanitarian field.
• Knowledge of humanitarian and NGO principles.
• Deep knowledge of GBV issues and experience in implementing ad hoc GBV curriculum.
• Understanding and commitment to GBV, Child Protection and Protection principles.
• Experience in conducting trainings on Protection issues and on how to conduct awareness sessions and FGSs.
• Experience of working in a multicultural team environment.
• Experience of working in security challenging environments and adhering to security measures.
• Very good knowledge of the project management cycle and experience in management.
• Good financial and budgeting understanding.
• MS proficiency (Microsoft Word, Excel, outlook...).
• Previous experience working with UNHCR or similar UN donor is a plus.
• Valid Driving License of more than 1 year.

Behavioural competencies:

• Teamwork
• Initiative
• Problem solving and decision making
• High level of planning and organizing; ability to manage multiple activities and meet deadlines
• Excellent communication skills
• Very good Interpersonal and Diplomatic Skills, and ability to negotiate on complex issues.
• High level of flexibility & adaptability
• Strategic vision
• Leadership: developing and motivating staffs
• Driving and achieving results
• Humanitarian motivation and commitment to INTERSOS values
• Respect of Intersos policies and procedures

Languages:

• Fluency in Arabic & English. French is a plus