Head of Base - Program Manager

INTERSOS is an International NGO 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/Program Manager

Reports to         : Head of Mission and Program Coordinator

Duty Station      : Tripoli, North Lebanon with regular field visits

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 overall programing in the North Lebanon is designed and implemented according to the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan and INTERSOS Protection Framework. It aims at supporting a favorable protection environment for refugees and host communities in North Lebanon with a multi-donors’ portfolio.

Job Purpose:

The position includes two main components of the integrated; area based projects management, as well as general north area operations.

On the project management component - the Program Manager is responsible for the overall management, economic and financial administration of the projects and for their entire implementation process, ensuring the achievement of objectives and results. In the framework of the programme, the position is aimed at ensuring the proper and effective implementation of all activities planned to achieve the interventions objectives and expected results, including all related administrative and financial aspects, the development of trend analyses according to INTERSOS Strategy and in line with international Guidelines, as well as at providing support to the Mission strategy and programme.

On the general management component - as Head of Base, s/he is responsible for the whole coordination and supervision of the base support functions (admin/finance, Logistic and procurement, human resources, MEAL and security) in coordination with relevant departments at country office level, ensuring the integration and priorities setting between departments and projects.

Holder of this position is a part of the mission Senior Management Team (SMT), being in charge of identifying partnerships, funding opportunities, arising needs to contribute to project design and proposal writing. 

Generic Duties:

Program management

• Ensures an effective planning, implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation of the program’s sub-components and timely delivery services according to targets set in the projects’ description.
• Guarantees an efficient financial management for the program, in compliance with INTERSOS model and donor regulations s
• 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 team management and coordination
• Ensures regular performance appraisal of projects 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 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 plan (in particular, she/he is responsible of the procedures done under UNHCR and AICS funded project and is supposed to play the role of president of the evaluation committee)
• 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 (Monthly, Mid-Year, final reports), 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, contributes to the preparation of the Monitoring and Evaluation plan.

Project 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 North 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 long-term strategy.
• Support in the identification of strategic partnership for future intervention to ensure an integrated approach in the North.

Coordination and representation

• Establishes and managing relations pertaining to projects activities, with relevant stakeholders, local authorities, relevant donors and institutions.
• Ensures INTERSOS representation through participation to relevant IA coordination forum in the North
• Proactively participates and represents INTERSOS in relevant working groups (i.e. inter-agency and other relevant working groups) at the regional level (North).
• 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, MEAL, 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 North 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 North 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 related to the role and necessary for the implementation of the activities as required.

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,
• Knowledge of humanitarian and NGO principles.
• Very good knowledge of the project management cycle and experience in management.
• Deep knowledge of Protection programming integrated with Education, Shelter, WASH
• Good financial and budgeting understanding.
• Experience of working in a multicultural team environment.
• Experience of working in security challenging environments and adhering to security measures.
• MS proficiency (Microsoft Word, Excel, outlook...).
• Valid Driving License issued since more than 2 years.

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