Deputy Country Director – Operations

Role Summary

The Deputy Country Director – Operations (DCD-Operations) is responsible for leading and strengthening Anera Lebanon’s operational platform to ensure safe, efficient, compliant, and well-coordinated delivery across all offices and functions.

The role provides direct leadership and oversight for the country’s core operational departments, including Human Resources, IT, Administration and Fleet, Logistics, Procurement, and Safety & Security. The position works in close coordination with the Country Director and the Finance function to ensure that operational systems, internal controls, staffing structures, and support services are aligned with program delivery, compliance requirements, and country priorities.

The DCD-Operations is a member of the Senior Management Team and plays a key role in operational planning, risk management, internal coordination, and strengthening the overall effectiveness of the country office.

Important clarification:
 The Finance function reports directly to the Country Director. The DCD-Operations is expected to coordinate closely with Finance on operational planning, budget implementation, cost efficiency, compliance, and internal controls, but does not supervise the Finance function.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership and Team Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership, supervision, and support to direct-report staff across operational functions
• Set clear objectives, review performance regularly, and ensure accountability for results
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with direct reports and support structured staff development
• Strengthen succession planning and team capacity across operational departments
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, ethical conduct, and problem-solving
• Ensure operational teams are responsive to program needs and country priorities

Human Resources Oversight

• Oversee the country-level implementation of HR systems, processes, and controls in coordination with Global HR
• Ensure HR policies, procedures, and staff documentation are applied consistently and in line with Anera requirements and Lebanese labor regulations
• Oversee recruitment coordination, onboarding, leave management, attendance monitoring, and staff file management at country level
• Ensure HR support to managers is timely and practical, and that staffing structures are aligned with portfolio needs
• Monitor HR risks, staff care issues, and workplace conduct concerns, and escalate as needed to the Country Director and Global HR
• Ensure operational continuity and adequate staffing coverage across departments

IT and Systems Oversight

• Oversee the effective functioning of country IT systems, equipment, and user support to ensure business continuity
• Ensure IT assets, access controls, backups, cybersecurity practices, and user permissions are managed appropriately
• Monitor the performance of any IT staff or service providers supporting the country office
• Ensure operational systems are practical, secure, and responsive to country office needs
• Coordinate with relevant global teams on major IT issues, systems rollouts, and risk mitigation

Administration, Facilities, and Fleet

• Oversee office administration to ensure all locations are safe, functional, and efficiently managed
• Ensure proper management of facilities, utilities, leases, office maintenance, and operational service providers
• Oversee fleet management, including vehicle allocation, maintenance, fuel controls, logbooks, and compliance with transport procedures
• Ensure effective systems are in place for asset management, inventory control, and office support services
• Maintain strong administrative controls to support efficiency, transparency, and operational continuity

Logistics and Procurement Oversight

• Ensure logistics and procurement functions meet program needs in a timely, cost-effective, and compliant manner
• Oversee procurement planning, forecasting, vendor management, and tracking of operational support needs
• Ensure procurement policies, thresholds, and procedures are applied consistently and in line with Anera and donor requirements
• Strengthen internal controls related to procurement, logistics, asset tracking, and documentation
• Ensure clear delegation of responsibilities, quality checks, and accountability across supply chain functions
• Support operational readiness for project implementation through timely procurement and service delivery
• Ensure relevant staff are equipped to support local partners in line with Anera’s partnership and compliance requirements

Coordination with Finance

• Work closely with the Country Director and Finance team to ensure strong alignment between operational planning and financial implementation
• Provide timely operational inputs for budget planning, budget-vs-actual reviews, proposal costing, and cost recovery discussions
• Support analysis of operational cost efficiency and resource needs
• Ensure operational departments provide timely documentation and information needed for financial compliance, audit readiness, and reporting
• Coordinate with Finance on internal control improvements, operational risk areas, and process bottlenecks affecting implementation

Note: This role coordinates with Finance but does not supervise the Finance function.

Safety and Security

• Provide management oversight for safety and security systems across offices and field locations
• Ensure security policies, SOPs, contingency plans, and duty-of-care measures are in place, updated, and understood by staff
• Monitor the operating environment and advise the Country Director and SMT on operational and staff safety risks
• Ensure staff receive relevant security briefings, incident response guidance, and practical support
• Coordinate with field management to ensure secure and uninterrupted program delivery
• Oversee implementation of safety and security procedures through designated focal points, as applicable

Field Operations Support

• Work closely with field management teams to ensure the smooth functioning of operations across all locations
• Review operational workload, staffing, and resource allocation regularly to ensure support keeps pace with program implementation
• Conduct regular field engagement (calls and visits) to identify constraints early and support timely resolution
• Ensure field offices operate in line with Anera policies, donor requirements, and minimum operational standards
• Support field teams to solve practical bottlenecks while maintaining compliance

Program Support, Strategic Planning, and Business Development

• Provide operational input into project design, proposal development, and portfolio planning
• Review the operational feasibility of new proposals, including staffing structures, operational support needs, risk management, and implementation readiness
• Contribute to country strategy discussions by ensuring operational realities and delivery risks are considered
• Participate in project cycle and management meetings to support effective implementation and cross-functional coordination
• Support the Country Director and program leadership in aligning operational systems with growth, compliance, and sustainability goals

Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum 10–12 years of progressively responsible experience in operations, administration, logistics, procurement, or country office management within an INGO, international organization, or similarly complex institution
• At least 5 years in a senior management or leadership role overseeing multiple operational functions
• Bachelor’s degree in management, business administration, logistics, public administration, operations, or a related field; Master’s degree is an asset
• Strong experience in country office operations, including HR, administration, fleet, logistics, procurement, and internal controls
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional teams and improve systems, accountability, and service delivery
• Strong understanding of donor compliance and the operational implications of donor-funded programming
• Practical experience working in complex or sensitive operating environments
• Experience overseeing safety and security systems, or working closely with security focal points, is strongly preferred
• Strong planning, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Strong people management skills, with the ability to lead teams, manage performance, and build a positive working culture
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Duty station is Beirut, with regular travel within Lebanon and occasional international travel as requested by the Country Director.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Anera strives to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, creed, political or national views or background, ethnicity, religion, age, handicap, sex, or any other factor unrelated to ability to perform the required work. Anera does give strong preference in employing Lebanese, Palestinian, or other resident Arab nationals (other than for the country director position and internships). In all cases, recruitment decisions are first and foremost based on merit and qualifications. Anera holds local project institutions to the same standards.

Code of Conduct

Anera is committed to conducting its operations with the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and professionalism across all contexts in which we work. We strive to deliver high-quality services and maintain a reputation built on fairness, respect, responsibility, and sound judgment. All employees, managers, officers, and representatives are expected to uphold these standards at all times and act per their duty of loyalty to Anera. No individual may misrepresent the organization or speak on its behalf without proper authorization. Confidential and sensitive information—including financial data, strategic plans, or information related to partners and beneficiaries—must be handled with the utmost discretion and only shared on a need-to-know basis, in line with Anera’s confidentiality and privacy policies. Any violation of the Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. The level of disciplinary response may take into account whether the violation was self-reported and whether the individual cooperated in the investigation process.

Our values

We are inspired: We are committed to energize, engage, and motivate others to forge the best outcomes for the diverse communities we serve.

We are people-centric: We are respectful and empathetic. We believe that each person, no matter their circumstances, embodies promise and has the power to shape the lives of their community and world.

We are collaborative: Teamwork and collaborative action are at the heart of how we do our work and deliver results.

We are versatile: In a region burdened by obstacles, we make the right connections to find a way and bring can-do, innovative approaches to everything we do.

We are impactful: We make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve by delivering impactful solutions at the local community level.

We are accountable: Our words, actions and results stay true to our mission and values.