Director Of Program Operation

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need around the world. Save the Children has been operating in Lebanon since 1999 and is recognized for its commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration.  Save the Children currently implements programs in Child Protection, Education, CRC, Health and Nutrition, Food Security & Livelihood, Shelter, and Emergency Response throughout Lebanon.   Save the Children is seeking qualified candidates to fulfill the following positions, for its Lebanon Country Office, 12 months in the following locations Beirut: ROLE PURPOSE: As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Programme Implementation Director shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Office.  The Programme Implementation Director in his/her capacity is responsible for implementation of all programming in country, including the management of all sub offices and logistics. Assist in the design of emergency preparedness procedures and take lead on implementation of emergency programmes. Save the Children Lebanon country office has a national coverage with a current staff complement of approximately 20 staff and current expenditure of approximately $2 million each year but we are rapidly expanding our emergency and developmental programmes. KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:   As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to: Leadership of the Lebanon Country Office Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects our dual mandate values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, and frees up our people to deliver outstanding results for children and excellent customer service for our Members and donors Help design and implement a coherent organizational structure that is consistent with agency practices and appropriate to programme needs Help establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with: host government authorities, donors, partner agencies including major institutional donors, and local and international NGOs Ensure that the required support is provided promptly, at scale and in line with the rules and principles during emergencies, working closely with the Regional Office   Oversight and Management of Programme Operations Responsible for overall coordination of programme implementation and responsible for field delivery of high quality programming in line with the objectives of the country strategy and in accordance with donor requirements. Working with PDQ Director, participate in designing, innovative and high quality programmes to serve difficult to reach children In close coordination with the PDQ Director and the Director of Finance and Support Services, participate in the programme proposal process and ensure that all programmes progress in accordance with grant agreements, are completed within time and on budget (such as conduct grant opening meetings with PDQ Director and monthly BVAs meeting with Grant Manager) Serve as over-all budget holder for most programming: manage and support budget holders for individual projects and grants Ensure programmes are implemented in response to the communities, and children in line with Save the Children principles, values and strategic plan and following Save the Children compliance procedures. This includes working with government and national NGO-partners to strengthen national capacity Require managers to prepare timely and high quality progress reports, programme reports, and donor reports in a manner to allow review and consolidation efficiently. Oversee all field-offices   Logistics, Inventory and Procurement Ensure that the CO logistics capacity and systems meet the SCI MOS and are able to satisfy the programming requirements Ensure appropriate and adequate emergency logistics procedures are detailed in the Country Office Emergency Preparedness Plan in order to enable rapid scale up Ensure procurement processes are effectively implemented and the procurement team is negotiating the best deals (including cost, quality and  after sales service) with suppliers Manage the fixed assets by implementing a system of controls separating the functions of purchasing and inventory.   Emergency Response Management Strengthen the Lebanon CO organisational readiness to respond to emergencies in line with global SCI emergency goal and benchmarks Provide significant support  for the CO to design, update and implement a full set of emergency preparedness actions, drawing on SC member input and resources Mount appropriate and timely responses at scale to all emergencies consistent with established benchmarks, plans and organizational policies, and in close cooperation with incoming surge teams. Ensure that all CO staff across departments and sub offices are familiar with, adhere to and implement the procedures and processes detailed in the Rules and Principles for emergency response In coordination with Country Director and PDQ Director maintain active engagement in key inter-agency emergency preparedness and response coordination mechanisms including the Cluster system   Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development – Programme Operations Ensure appropriate staffing within Programme Implementation, including field office staff Ensure that all staff understand and are able to perform their role in an emergency Manage Programme Implementation team; define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly Develop staff capacity by training, and promoting staff as appropriate and in coordination with HR, ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff Establish result based system and follow up Manage the performance of all staff in the Programme Implementation work area through: Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, on-going feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations; Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process. Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities; Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance; Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ work plans  QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Substantial management experience in  an NGO environment, including significant field operations experience in both emergency and development programmes Master degree in development or other social sciences      or equivalent. Robust      experience of NGO emergency programme cycle management, and with      experience of working within a complex and matrix organisation structure US      Government funding programme management experience required; ECHO and EU      highly desired. A very good understanding of at least 3 of the      sectoral programmes and a working knowledge of the programme priorities of      the Country Office  which include      Education, Child protection, Youth Development, Food Security and      Livelihoods Substantial experience in logistics, including      procurement, Experience      in international humanitarian systems, institutions and donors, and of      procedures, accountability frameworks and best practices in emergency      management Familiar with      effective financial and budgetary control and managing grants from major      institutional donors Solid project management skills related to organisational development projects and international, cross-functional teams with a proven history of delivering results Ability to analyse information, evaluate      options and to think and plan strategically An  in-depth  understanding  of       national  and  international  children in crisis issues  Previous       experience  of managing  and       developing  a  team       and  the  ability       to  lead, motivate and      develop others Excellent interpersonal, communication and      presentation skills Ability      and willingness to change work practices and hours, and work with incoming      teams in the event of major emergencies Commitment to       and understanding  of  Save       the  Children’s  aims,       values  and principles  including rights-based approaches Fluency in English required and conversational      Arabic desired. APPLICATION PROCESS   Please note that the closing date for applications is : For Internal applicants (Save the Children Staff) on March 7th. For External applicants on March 12th.   The selection committee will review all applications as they are received. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. No further information will be given over the phone.   Please note: due to the critical nature of this recruitment, applications will be reviewed as they are received and successful candidates contacted on an on-going basis.  Internal Applicants are given priority in the recruitment process.   STARTING DATE: Immediate.  We’re looking for people who can start as soon as possible or within the next few weeks.   Each application package should include the following: •           Job title for the role you are applying for in subject header of the email •           Cover letter with the applicant’s current contact information •           CV (including detailed work experience, education/degrees)  –  3pages maximum •           Professional References (minimum of three, with complete contact information) •           Kindly do not send supporting certificates and documents at this stage •           Letter and CV should be saved into one Word or PDF document and sent to Lebanon.vacancies@savethechildren.org   Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.   We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.  All applicants will also be subject to Save the Children’s usual Child Safeguarding Policy and reference checking process.