Area Manager

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Arabic and English-speaking Area Manager to be accountable for all of DRC’s results, impact and strategic goals in the Area Office (AO) of Bekka, Lebanon.

About the job

As Area Manager you will be responsible for the coordination, management, development and representation of all DRC’s work in the AO.  You oversee multi-sectoral programme implementation according to DRC’s commitments and strategies in Lebanon, while working with the Support Services teams to also ensure that they are implemented in accordance with DRC’s regulations, procedures and guidelines. You are accountable for enabling a productive and accountable relationship with beneficiaries, community leaders/representatives, relevant governmental authorities, national and international NGOs and UN Agencies. As DRC’s primary representative in the respective AO, you also ensure a safe environment for DRC staff, beneficiaries and assets through a proactive, acceptance-building approach. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Representation and Coordination

Represent all aspects of programmes and operations and have overall accountability for the area

Act as the primary DRC representative in  the AO and attend relevant fora/meetings in order to strengthen DRC’s position in the area;

Foster relationships with Government authorities, national and international organisations and other relevant stakeholders in the area

In coordination with the CD, the Head of Programmes and the Regional Office ensure that the DRC programme in the area contributes to DRC ´s advocacy efforts, nationally, regionally and internationally.

Develop, implement and regularly revise a DRC engagement strategy and acceptance in the area;

Maintain close working relationships with donors, national and international organisations and local counterparts in their AO

Ensure collaboration and coordination with SMT to ensure programmatic integration sharing of lessons and best practices;

Management    

Ensure appropriate planning, budgeting and human resource allocation for effective delivery of the programmes

Line manage area support and programme staff (Programmes, Operations, Safety personnel) ensuring inter-departmental co-ordination and integrated activities;

Enable an effective team through results oriented management systems, providing leadership, on-the-job capacity building and designing staff development strategies;

Closely coordinate as a contributing member of the senior management team, as well as with sector coordinators based in Beirut.  Ensure regular information flows;

Drive performance through accountability, teamwork, and by establishing professional workplace standards

Ensure overall provision of and adherence to DRC policies, Code of Conduct, procedures, guidelines, systems and standard practices, including commitments under the CHS

Programme development

Be sure that the national strategy is responsive and appropriate given the inputs from the field, and ensure that AO is contributing to both regional and national success.

Provide guidance to the Programme Manager(s) in developing DRC’s program in the area via area level strategy and provide technical and context-specific input for fundraising efforts and lead the development/strengthening of sectors to respond to gaps and needs;

Actively participate in proactive business development processes (at the field and national level) through external representation, participation in the grant development process and long-term strategic planning.

Provide regular analysis on the context and humanitarian situation in the area for the development of project proposals and safety assessments.

Facilitate assessment and rapid response in any humanitarian situation, with written report and recommendation to initiate and setup relevant emergency projects in close collaboration with HOP & HOSS and relevant technical coordinators.

Operational

Provide leadership in overseeing all logistical/procurement, HR/administration and office services activities and ensure their timely/efficient delivery.

Ensure effective and transparent financial management and budget follow up, planning and use of financial resources in compliance with DRC and donor policies and priorities

Flagging up anomalies and ensuring solutions for timely spend in accordance to donor regulations/DRC policies

Close coordination with Head of Support Services (HOSS) and Country Office Support Managers/leads - proactively addressing/flagging up operational concerns and discuss/implement solutions for smooth, timely and quality delivery with minimal risks as per the operational handbook/other organisation policies.

Lead or participate in recruitment of strategic staff in coordination with SMT, as appropriate.

Ensure quality implementation of identified priorities ensuring optimal use of financial resources, regular project follow up, reporting, among other tasks.

Development of overall staff competence through leadership, training and coaching of technical and management key field staff

Promote a culture of cooperation, learning and accountability as per DRC values

Safety and Security

The Area Manager is the responsible party for all final safety decisions in the area of operation through the Country Director’s (CDs) delegation.

Ensure a safe and secure environment and a duty of care for all DRC staff, beneficiaries, and assets

Ensure local security procedures are up to date and SOPs are created as needed and followed in line with the SMP and DRC policy

Responsible for promoting regular staff safety trainings, providing safety and security analysis, recommendations and follows-ups. 

Stay informed of the context and make daily safety decisions, as well as update safety tools and processes in coordination with the safety Coordinator and CD.

Programme Monitoring, Accountability & Learning

Ensure overall provision of and adherence to DRC and Donor policies, procedures, guidelines, systems and standard practices, including commitments under the CHS and DRC Code of Conduct

Ensure accountability for the spending of donor and public funds, through delivery of effective value for money programming and the maintenance of robust accounting systems

In collaboration with HoP, ensure that all projects contribute to measuring impact and are in line with DRC’s country strategic plan

Adopt an evidence-based approach, work with HOP and programme team to ensure dissemination of lessons learned and best practices within the respective AO (internal and external stakeholders)

Together with HOP/Technical Coordinators, implement appropriate monitoring of programmes, ensuring appropriate feedback mechanisms are in place that input to improving quality on an ongoing basis.

Strengthen efforts to document the impact of DRC activities in the area.

Participate in DRC internal coordination mechanisms (e.g.  SMT, Programme meetings, etc.) as required. Act as a proactive member of the SMT, role-modelling DRC values across teams.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a minimum of 5 years of management experience overseeing humanitarian and development multi-sector, multi-donor programmes in complex environments in a managerial capacity. Moreover, we also expect the following:

University degree with advanced training/courses either in management, international relations, development studies, or other related fields;

Experience working with an integrated ERP system (end to end process of procurement, and other peripheric modules of logistics) – MS Dynamics considered an advantage (preferred)

Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic essential

Strong leadership skills and competence in people management

Practical and extensive financial, human resources and procurement experience

Practical experience in managing safety and operating in high risk environment

Proven excellent communication skills and report writing skills

Strong capacity in influencing and engaging a range of stakeholders; with proven representational skills and the ability to advocate in line with humanitarian principles

Demonstrate ability in thinking creatively and practically to improve the quality of programming and achieve greater impact

Ability to work flexibly in a diverse team; with proven leadership skills

Excellent demonstrated skills managing large teams in rapidly changing environments

Commitment to integrate gender, conflict sensitivity and accountability into programming

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 

Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 12 months

Level: Senior Management, E

Designation of Duty Station: Bekka, non-family and non-accompanied

Start date: 4 January 2022

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff.

Application process

Applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 30 October

For questions regarding the vacancy please contact Ayat Mujalli, ayat.mujalli@drc.ngo.

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.