Area Manager

ROLE PURPOSE: Save the Children International is a 'dual mandate' organisation and as such equal priority will be given to both humanitarian and development work.  This is the only way we will be able to ensure that some of the fundamental rights that we believe children have, such as survival, safety and constant access to protection and education can be guaranteed. As part of a commitment to work with children through humanitarian interventions Save the Children will support programmes in both sudden onset and chronic emergency situations.   The Area Manager is responsible for the oversight, development and management of all Save the Children’s programmes as well as Human Resources, finance, logistics, administration, security, representation and advocacy in the designated field area. S/he will work under the supervision of the Director of Programs Operations. In fulfilling his/her responsibilities, including budget holding, s/he will work with other senior managers to ensure that the programs are carried out in line with Save the Children country and global priorities.    KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY   The Area Manager is responsible and accountable for the overall implementation of all Save the Children’s work in Bekaa region. This includes grants oversight and management, operational planning, effective delivery of programmes, staff management and support.  To manage all of the grants in Bekaa, ensuring regular monthly meeting on BvA’s, rapid actions to address issues, collaboration with other AM’s for cross geographical grants, donor compliance. Effectively using support services (logs, Admin, HR, Finance) to undertake key activities and work alongside the Project Managers to ensure their activities run smoothly Working with the Director Programme Operations and with other departments in the organisation such as Programme Quality, Grants, Finance etc to support the development of Save the Children’s overall Country Annual Plan, including a master budget and results framework. Ensure the field staff lead on the design of high quality concept notes and proposals. Prepare and oversee programme operations to ensure timely delivery of programme activities (for example, monitoring against log-frames, individual performance management work-plans). Oversee multi agency coordination in designated field base, and lend support to overall interagency cluster where appropriate Develop and implement an effective safety and security management plan for multiple offices within the field base or area, ensuring that these are revised at regular intervals and that new programmes are built around security considerations and contingencies. Manage logistics processes to procure, store and distribute stock, supplies and services for the timely delivery of project objectives within the field base or area with the support of central SC Lebanon logistics team Ensure adequate staffing and structure for the field base in consultation with HR, PDQ and Operations teams..  Support recruitment processes and ensure that effective performance management processes are in place and utilised. To ensure that the minimum standards of humanitarian relief are maintained in accordance with the Sphere Charter and Red Cross Code of Conduct. Capacity Building: Identify learning and training opportunities for Save the Children staff . Implement an appropriate partnership strategy, ensuring implementing partners are appropriately selected and assessed, that an appropriate capacity building strategy is developed and locating areas were partners can build SCI capacity. Representation & Advocacy & Organisational Learning: Act as the representative of Save the Children Lebanon to all stakeholders in Bekaa. Ensure clear and timely information sharing of co-ordination, networking and all representation meetings to line manager and relevant staff Ensure that Save the Children's work is coordinated with efforts of other agencies and Government, and take a leadership role within Interagency Coordination forums, ensuring the specific needs of children are being addressed. To identify opportunities and material to contribute to communications and media work, acting as a spokesperson when required. Programme Quality: Ensure accountability to beneficiaries and humanitarian principles are mainstreamed in all programmes. Work with the MEAL Advisor to ensure MEAL staffs are appropriately utilised to strengthen community engagement, analyse and share data and discover and disseminate lessons learned. General: Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures. Ensure the security, health and well being of staff and that staff management and other processes and policies and systems reflect SC's principles of equity and fairness.   QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE   Essential Significant management experience working in an emergency response context or fragile states Education to Masters level in a relevant subject or equivalent field experience Previous experience of managing a large team (100 - 200 staff) Previous experience of project management, including multi sector programmes Budget management experience including institutional donors       Security management experience in insecure environments Field level representation with key stakeholders and co-ordination with other NGOs/UN Demonstrable experience of M&E and beneficiary accountability Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports Excellent communication skills Strong influencing skills and experience in advocacy Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy A high level of written and spoken English The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances. Commitment to the aims and principles of SC. In particular, a good understanding of the SC mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support to beneficiaries. Previous experience managing a refugee response   Desirable Multi site management experience UN agency, ECHO, and/or DFID programme management experience National level representation with key stakeholders and co-ordination with other NGOs/UN Media trained Fluent in Arabic