Chief of Operations – Lebanon ( Upon Donor Approval)

Handicap International is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from woman and persons with disabilities.

Position’s mission:

Under the line management of the Country Manager, the Chief of Operations will:

1.            Ensure the safe and timely implementation of clearance activities according to international and national standards, internal SOPs and in line with HI Project Quality Frame standards;

2.            Support potential expansion of geographical areas and methodology of clearance activities through the assessment of needs and operational options in line with the mission Operational Strategy.

3.            Provide strategic and technical guidance towards non-technical survey and clearance programs

4.            Ensure sound mentoring of the team under your coordination, in line with HI’s Code of Conduct, rules and regulations and HI project standards.

Reporting to: Operations Manager

Functional Manager: NA

Team managed: Site supervisors, QA/QC officer, Operations Officer, Community Liaison Officer, NTS Team leader, Risk education Team Leader

Interacts with:

-Internal: Operational team, Global EOD/ IED Specialist, Regional MEAL Manager and MEAL staff, support services staff.

-External: LMAC officers, the authorities and communities in the project area of implementation, other stakeholders including local partners and NGOs in the related field in the project area of implementation

Missions / Responsibilities:

Responsibility 1: Participate in the definition and implementation of the country’s AVR strategy

Objective: Ensure that HI’s AVR strategy is in line with the country strategy and serve the global objective of Lebanon Mine action strategy.

Benchmark: Quality of implemented activities

Activities:

• Under the supervision of the Operations Manager, lead to the assessment of needs and gaps in the mine action sector in support of HI’s mine action strategy and Lebanon Operational Strategy;
• Manage the sound, safe and timely implementation of NTS, TS and clearance activities, under the technical supervision of HI’s EOD Specialist in HQ, and the supervision of the Operations Manager;
• Responsible for planning, achievements and good utilization of resources as par HI procedures and in line with donor regulations;
• Perform frequent field visits in the intervention sites for technical supervision, on-the-job training and quality assurance;
• Responsible for the development and update of technical training packages for NTS, TS and clearance activities;
• Responsible to the development, update and possible amendment and/or approval by the NMAA of the technical guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for land release activities, under the technical supervision of HI’s EOD Specialist (GEODS) in HQ;
• Collaborate with internal QAQC Technical Specialist in ensuring an effective Quality Management System is fully compliant with HI SOPs;
• Ensure excellent coordination with LMAC (Lebanese Mine Action Center.
• When required, contribute to the design and update of risk education activities, monitoring and support to AVR activity components (only 1 at the moment, pending funds);
• Coordinate the successful implementation of NTS and clearance intervention in other areas and in support of introduction of new innovative methodologies;
• Contribute to internal and external reporting for the NTS and clearance components;
• In close collaboration with the Country Manager and the Operations Manager, participate to field external coordination with local authorities and other mine action actors;

Responsibility 2: Manage the Mine Clearance, Non-Technical Survey and Risk education Team

Objective: Manage the AVR team in Lebanon and ensure the respect of HI policies and procedures

Benchmark: team meeting, distribution of tasks, performance appraisal and individual actin plan set

Activities:

• Co-lead with the HR department the recruitment, inception and training of land release field staff;
• Ensure sound mentoring of the teams, in line with HI’s Code of Conduct, rules and regulations;
• Define and follow, with each staff under your coordination, an Individual Action Plan (IAP) and the time frame to achieve the desired objectives;
• Ensure good communication, coordination, and information-sharing with each member of the team through participation in regular coordination meetings and individual meetings;
• Support conflict resolution (personal and professional) within the team and inform the Area Manager and the HR coordinator of any major conflict;
• Ensure the respect of HI’s Code of Conduct, HI’s Misconduct Reporting Mechanism, HI’s Policy on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, HI’s Security rules, and other relevant rules and regulations by the members of the team under your coordination. 
• Be a role model for diversity and inclusion, as well as a positive role model for contributing to the team spirit of HI;
• Actively mainstream gender, inclusion and conflict sensitivity in all mine action activities.

Responsibility 3: Ensure operational reporting internally and externally to the different stakeholders

Objective: Prepare weekly and monthly reports to LMAC and HI management

Benchmarks: compliance with LMAC requirements; Compliance with MEAL procedures

Activities:

• Ensure operational reporting internally, to authorities and donors as required.
• Prepare all relevant reports and documentation in a timely manner, as directed, in line with HI Project Quality framework practices and tools and in conformity with donors’ requirements
• Provide timely and detailed data for the project management tools;
• Actively participate to base and project coordination mechanisms in a collaborative spirit with other project teams and mission departments
• Under supervision of the Country Manager, represent HI in relevant opportunities, including sector coordination and technical working groups if required;
• Develop and maintain strong and positive working relationship with National Mine Action Authorities, UNMAS, mine action organizations and other relevant stakeholders;
• Develop and drive a culture of excellence, continuous improvement and performance optimization across all mine action projects;
• A final report, at the end of the mission, is to be submitted to the Operations Manager, and the GEODS.
• Pre-weekly/monthly reports to LMAC and Country Manager and the HQ GEODS on the activities.

Responsibility 4: Ensure the administrative and financial management of the project

Objective:

Benchmarks:

• Develop, update the procurement plans ensuring proactive and timely allocation of resources and accurate use of allocated resources as budget holders;
• Draw up the budget estimate relative to operations and carry out the budget Follow up for operations on a monthly basis in coordination with the finance team,
• Assure the filing and archiving system are in place and the operational team archive the everyday operational documents

Note that this job description must remain flexible; the list of tasks set out above is not exhaustive and is subject to changes resulting from the diversity of Handicap international activities to respond to additional tasks or changes as identified by the line manager.

Confidentiality is required in all these responsibilities

Qualifications:

Education:

Essential:

• Relevant and certified EOD and IEDD qualification to fulfil organizational needs.
• IMAS Level 3+ qualification from accredited school or organization.

Experience:

• Experience in NGOs and humanitarian settings
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Lebanon in the mine action field
• Experience in planning, managing and supervising/controlling survey, and clearance operations
• Project management experience
• Experience in the field of training /professional training
• Experience in data collection, data management and community liaison

Desirable:

• Experience in Iraq with the knowledge of the country HMA requirements and cultural considerations

Language:

• Arabic: Mother Tongue
• English: Fluent

Other skills:

• A thorough understanding of international mine action standards
• Understanding of project management tools and previous experience in project design.
• Ability to work autonomously in arduous conditions
• Very good written and oral communication skills
• High level of motivation and proactivity
• High level of diplomacy and communication skills
• Patient, open-minded and flexible with good problem solving skills

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS:

HI workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in HI Code of conduct. In accordance with these values, HI operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child. Safeguarding, Anti-fraud, bribery, and corruption.

Basic salary ranges for the position is going to be paid according to the experience and to HI salary Grid.

Basic Salary: Starting 3,093.62 USD

Closing date: 12-03-2025

Interested candidates send their CV and motivation letters to recruitment@lebanon.hi.org with the subject “CO-Leb25”.

Application should include CV and motivation letter. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.