Programme Manager North Lebanon

JOB PURPOSE: To provide leadership and management of the Irish Aid-funded livelihood and protection programme in North Lebanon, including having overall budget responsibility, human resource management and ensuring quality and timely implementation of the project in the target area. DIMENSIONS: Coordination of and delivery of approved projects, agreed plans or strategies.  Some strategic input. Responsible for all stages of design and implementation of a designated project development - e.g. concept design, proposal writing, implementation, monitoring, evaluation. Representation in coordination meetings and other external relationships. Help shape field level objectives, priorities and strategies in a specific team. Working as part of a management team within a larger programme unit. Providing specialist advice or specific skills to team. Plans/objectives contribute to departmental/broader program strategy and can involve collaboration with other departments. Management tasks are complex and non-routine within a specialised unit/function. Requires the ability to analyse and communicate complex information to a wide audience. Decision-making requires significant levels of judgement based on technical and management experience, generally actively supported within line management or the programme team. Role is variable with well-defined targets and/or minimum standards and is both proactive and reactive. To play active role in lobby and advocacy on issues related to programmes through personal contacts and co-ordination of allies. To support fundraising efforts through proposal development and produce clear and quality reports (financial and narrative) that demonstrates good accountability. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: The following responsibilities are not exhaustive.  They aim to provide a clear sense of the nature and scope of jobs at this grade:   Strategic Management Maintain an analysis of the context and use this to inform interventions Deliver demonstrable impact through direct programme action and advocacy action based on programme experience and outcomes in order to bring about policy and practice changes relating to strategy. Contribute to local partner identification process, and implementation ensuring strong and effective partnerships. Act as a proactive member of the Lebanon Country Management Team (CMT); collaborating with other departments and ensuring learning is shared across teams. Identify and implement any mutually agreed capacity development plans with partners agencies/CBOs.   Programme Development and Management Manage a team of staff to work with partners to develop and deliver project implementation and monitoring plans. Ensure strong contextual and policy analysis of the programme areas - adapting/developing plans for assessments, expansion of activities, relevant to the project. Support the identification of new projects in the North in the following sectors: Protection, Livelihoods and Food Security. Develop strategic alliances and partnerships to strengthen and improve the impact of the Oxfam projects in the North through encouraging policy and practice changes Ensure planning, monitoring, impact assessment and reporting systems are robust and compliant with Oxfam and donor requirements. Ensure a high quality, multi-sectoral approach, aiming at reaching agreed technical standards, with a strong focus on quality and accountability. Work together with the Technical Coordinators and Advisors to ensure a holistic approach to the programme. Manage development and delivery of fundraising proposals in line with fundraising needs. Lead and participate in MEAL (Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and Learning) activities with technical support from the Oxfam MEAL Coordinator. To report regularly to the Country Representative with agreed indicators against the overall objectives and to ensure that key information is circulated appropriately. Proactively ensure that gender equity and protection issues are taken into account in all aspects of Oxfam’s work. To support partner organizations and CBOs in developing and delivering projects within agreed parameters where appropriate. Ensure management of contracts with project partners, and that Oxfam partnership principles are upheld and that key steps in the partnership journey are met, including annual partnership review and support to the partner capacity development plan.   Resources and Risk Management: Engage in budgeting processes and ensure a planned budget spend of the grants budget is in line with programme priorities, and in line with Oxfam’s project and management guidelines. Manage, monitor and review budgets covering all aspects of the project on a monthly basis, explaining and managing any over or under-expenditures. Ensure that programme systems (logistics, HR and financial systems) are in place, regularly monitored and adhered to. Ensure that Oxfam meets all contractual obligations and achieves high quality proposals and donor reporting on time. To manage security in the programme area (North Lebanon), reporting to the Country Representative on security issues. This includes ensuring that SoPs are updated in liaison with the Security Focal Point, security information is shared and analyzed and that Oxfam organisational policy is met with regard to security management. Take measures to limit risks to the programme   People Management Manage the staff, ensuring that HR and Finance systems meet Oxfam’s standards and procedures, including being responsible for staff performance management, skills development, ensuring regular feedback and reviews. Work closely with programme support depts. – ensuring financial, logistical and human resources support is deployed in a timely and effective basis. To recruit and line manage staff as required in accordance with Oxfam’s Performance Management process; to proactively plan staff development. Ensure ways of working and interventions further builds and empowers local capacities. Ensure the programme and the teams are accountable to beneficiaries and all stakeholders, working with teams and partner organisations to achieve this.   Communicating Oxfam’s work and external representation Proactively ensure that Oxfam develops and maintains a positive profile which reflects its values and agreed advocacy messages and programming portfolio. Participate in relevant coordination for a and initiatives and ensure Oxfam’s progrmame is well coordinated with other humanitarian and development actors and with existing and upcoming projects. Represent and develop good relationships with official authorities and other agencies ensuring that there is effective communications about programme impact with stakeholders within and outside Oxfam. When required, facilitate and act as a focal point for media/donor/programme visits.   SKILLS AND COMPETENCE: Commitment to humanitarian and human rights principles and action. Minimum of 5 years experience in humanitarian response work, preferably in a senior management role, with staff management responsibility and  with proven experience of managing restricted donor contracts (E) Previous experience working in protection, livelihoods and food security programmes, or in a similar domain, in Lebanon. (E) A proven record of effective and complex management in both a humanitarian response and in development including managing budgets, staff and funding of the programme. This includes excellent people management skills, with a good understanding of team development and proven financial management skills. (E) First degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (preferably economics, politics, sociology, humanities) or substantial experience. (D) Proven ability to work creatively, innovatively and effectively with limited direct supervision. (E) Prior experience of working with local NGOs/partners – able to support partner relationship/development. (E) Proven experience of managing restricted donor contracts. (E) Excellent organizational, problem-solving and negotiation skills. The ability to remain calm whilst deal with conflicting priorities/work under pressure is essential. (E) The ability to take the initiative and work independently as well work as a team player – supporting other departments is essential. (E) Representation & advocacy skills – ability to influence others. (D) Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and spoken English and Arabic) and the ability to write clear, concise reports.  (E) Proven evidence of leadership skills including challenging, motivating and developing a team through periods of change.(D) Ability to work with others to develop vision into strategy and communicating and influencing this to a wider audience. (D) Commitment to Oxfam’s overall aims and policies and experience of promoting gender equity and diversity and the interests of marginalised people in all aspects of Oxfam’s work. (E)