Bekaa Area Manager

Job Description

Area Manager (Bekaa)

Reporting to: Country Director (CD)

Line Management Responsibilities: All Area Staff

Location:

The Area Manager (AM) is responsible for the coordination, management, development and representation of B&Z programming at the Area of Responsibility (AoR).  S/he will oversee program implementation according to B&Z strategies in Lebanon and ensure that operations are implemented within B&Z’s regulations, procedures, guidelines and strategy; enable a productive and accountable relationship with beneficiaries, communities’ leaders/representatives, relevant governmental authorities, National and International NGOs and UN Agencies in their AoR. The AM is the B&Z’s primary representative with relevant actors in AoR; s/he is the line manager for all staff with area responsibilities and s/he is responsible for ensuring a result oriented team. The incumbent will also ensure a safe environment for B&Z staff, beneficiaries and assets through a proactive-acceptance approach.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Representation and Coordination

• Act as the primary B&Z representative in the AoR and attend all relevant meetings in order to strengthen B&Z’s position in the area
• Foster relationships with Government authorities and other relevant stakeholders at the area of operations also through frequent visits to projects sites and centers;
• Ensure collaboration and coordination with the other B&Z Area Managers to ensure programmatic integration, sharing of lessons, best practices; 
• Maintain close working relationships with donors, national and international organizations and local counterparts in their AoR.

Management and Program Development

• Develop an area work plan based on priorities of centers in the area and the country director and program managers plan
• Provide advice and guidance to CM/PM (Center Manager/Project Manager) on administrative support issues within the parameters of B&Z financial rules and regulations, staff rules, administrative policies, administrative instructions, specific delegation of authorities, as well as country and area priorities.
• Exercises management and operational oversight of all resources with the area to ensure optimum utilization.
• Liaises with different program managers on an going basis to review plans and operational requirement to manage, adjust and commit resources in a timely and cost effective manner.
• Provide suggestions to program managers on allocation of resources and personnel to the area offices and center offices to accomplish the country –wide established objectives in the program/project technical area.
• Provides once every month, comprehensive activity report to CD, also informs him of any important developments.

Support Services

• Participate in the formulation of Area and center offices financial requirement, in consultation with program managers/coordinators
• Provide suggestion to program managers regarding forecast of budget requirement to meet operational objectives of CM/PM offices under AM purview.
• Functions as Certifying/Approving officer for request related to activity operations (procurement, finance and HR) from respective department.
• Manages all personnel assigned at the area level, and in coordination with head of departments, PGM, participate in the selection of PM/PC as well as all staff assigned to area level.
• Participate in the selection of CM in area of operations, led by Country Director
• Reviews, in consultation with PGM, requests for individual contractors submitted by PM/PC/CM based on project justifications and submit to human resources section for review and in accordance with applicable B&Z regulation.
• Provide leadership in overseeing of all logistical/procurement, HR/administration and office services activities and ensure their timely/efficient delivering.
• Identify training requirements and opportunities to ensure that area and center based personnel obtain the required input for their professional development. Ensure detailed capacity building plan for staff, and submit to CD/PGM for approval.

• Ensure a safe and secure environment for B&Z staff, beneficiaries and assets by ensuring the local security procedures are up to date and SOPs are being followed in line with B&Z policy, promoting regular staff training, providing safety and security analysis, recommendations and follows-ups. 

Qualifications and Experience
• University degree with advanced training/courses either in management, development studies, or other related field.
• Minimum 3 Years management experience, overseeing humanitarian and development multi-sector, multi-donor programs in complex environments.
• Proven experience in strategic development and program design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. “Experience in livelihoods, protection, direct assistance and relief highly desired”.
• Practical and extensive financial, HR and administration management experience with extensive knowledge of budget development/management and finance documentation, tracking and archiving; understanding of HR and administration principles and ethics.
• Result-oriented management experience of a large, diverse and dynamic team, and a commitment to good leadership essential. Must have a proven ability to foster teamwork and commitment to on-job training/support.
• Practical and proven skills in negotiation and conflict resolution with a wide range of stakeholders essential. Knowledge of refugee issues and related policies desired.
• Analytical and problem solving skills and an ability to work independently and as a team needed.
• Proven excellent communication skills and fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic essential. Excellent report writing skills is a must.
• Commitment to the values, vision and mission of B&Z.