Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Program Manager

ABOUT THE STRUCTURE…

Solidarités International (SI) is an International NGO working with vulnerable populations, mainly victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters. Specialized for nearly 40 years in the coverage of vital needs, S.I. takes charge of emergency and reconstruction programs.

With respect for cultures and close to the people, Solidarités International implements its programs by combining its skills with those of its employees and local managers.

Solidarités International's teams, made up of around 270 expatriates and nearly 2200 local employees, are today present in 18 countries in Asia, Middle East, Africa and Caribbean where they are particularly committed to fighting diseases related to unsafe water but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods.

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

The DRR Program Manager is in charge of managing, supervising and coordinating in a duly and timely manner the implementation of Agence Française de Développement (AFD) funded operations in the Akkar governorate (Northern Lebanon) as per the signed project contract. This implies the full respect of protocols, procedures, norms and standards imposed by the organization and/or the donor in order to ensure the quality of works and services delivered as well as accountability and transparency towards stakeholders.

Given the involvement of both governmental and non-governmental actors in the implementation of the whole program through a consortium approach (s)he has to assure proper coordination and concertation with the other parties involved. 

(S)he is overseeing, and thus managing a team assigned to the project whose performance follow-up and capacity building will be at center stage.

The main challenges:

• The general operating environment is challenging since marked by the ongoing economic and political crisis affecting severely an already precarious region (compared with other regions in the country). Road blocks, civil unrest, issues of social cohesion, fading support by local authorities since being partially dysfunctional is rampant. These factors are to a certain extent shaping and affecting the implementation of a development project.
• Given the nature of the program, namely a development program, it will be crucial for the success of the whole program, namely its sustainability, to actively engage and coordinate with governmental actors which are directly or indirectly involved. Having a good understanding of the different governmental actors in terms of their capacity, performance and willingness to cooperate is pivotal for succeeding.
• The project is run within a consortium whose other actors are the French Red Cross, the Lebanese Red Cross, the CNRS and the Disaster Risk Management Unit (DRMU) of the Ministry of the Interior. Having all partners on board through proper coordination and communication will be a major challenge. 
• From a technical perspective the project is complex and requires a certain level of technical competencies and insights on behalf of the Manager.
• The project endured some delays in the implementation. It will be important to make up leeway and follow then the work plan properly.

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

• Finalizing the quick mitigation projects in regard to the funds remaining under this activity
• Following up the cooperation with CNRS since being entitled to do a comprehensive study which is pivotal for the upcoming operations
• Finalizing the reach-out to local authorities in the targeted 52 villages
• Progressing on the River Basin approach through the establishment of a committee, documentation and tools

Responsibilities and main activities:

Assessment and project design

• Organize and plan needs assessments and write assessment report
• Participate in the design and the financial dimension of the human resources for new programs to be implemented
• Prepare the appendixes and technical chapters of operation proposals
• Develop new activities in compliance with the annual operational strategy, Solidarity International technical requirements, and donor criteria

Implementation and operational monitoring

• Plan and oversee the implementation of DRR program(s) that he/she is responsible for, both on-time and within the set technical specifications. Prepare and update the activity work plan.
• Plan activities with the support Departments (administrative, logistics), according to program objectives
• Use management, activity, results, and context monitoring tools such as APU-IC and Operational Follow up
• Respect SI procedures and use SI Intranet resources
• Provide support and advice to the logistics base for the purchase of materials specific to its program activities
• Assess the relevance of activities, the effectiveness of interventions, and their appropriateness in light of changing circumstances and the needs of populations
• Propose adjustments to program(s) if necessary
• Ensure the achievement of results of the programs (s)he is responsible for
• Anticipate the difficulties associated with conducting the DRR activities and help solve problems related to programs activities
• Propose program adaptations according to the changing environment and indicators
• In collaboration with the administrative service, contribute to the development of program budgets, budget follow up and proposal budgets for the program parts
• Define financial needs and treasury requests with supervisors or activity managers
• Follow and Report program material stocks with the logistics department (“field” inventory)
• Ensure a close collaboration with MEAL team
• Analyse the humanitarian situation taking into account the protection problems / Do No Harm policy for the population

Capitalization

• Write the capitalization documents referring to activities implemented in accordance with SI tools
• Prepare handover reports before the end of his/her employment contract and forward them to concerned parties in the mission and at headquarters if needed
• Ensure diffusion of SI technical documentation

Human Resources Management             

• Participate in validating recruitment for the national technical staff under its responsibility
• With the administrative department, define the prerequisites for the DRR vacant positions and, if necessary, adapt the referent job profile
• Welcome and brief new employees working under his responsibility
• Identify team training needs related to operational requirements and implement trainings
• Manage and support the team under his responsibility and carry out EAP
• Conduct workshops, weekly team meeting and ad hoc meetings
• Evaluate the performances of his/her team members
• Identify potential changes in members of his team and provide feedback to the DRR Coordinator and Field Coordinator
• Make sure his/her team(s), daily workers, volunteers follow the safety rules and guidelines

Reporting / communication / Representation

• Share with the Security & Liaison Manager and Field Coordinator any information on the security context and any event which may have consequences on SI activities and team safety
• Write reports and annexes concerning his program for donor reports and/or amendment
• Ensure compliance with reporting deadlines and guidelines
• Ensure the team properly archive the data related to project implementation
• Maintain a local operational communication network and positive relations with the local/governmental authorities, donor representatives, UN and other international agencies under the supervision of the Field Coordinator
• Report activities progress to the DRR Coordinator
• Report activities to relevant local authorities and ensure a close coordination with the technical Departments involved at Governorate level.
• Representation in the meetings or forums concerning the program in his place of employment
• Represent SI on request and/or delegation
• Respond to the requirements of the coordination and headquarters concerning specific needs
• Write the administrative documents to be signed (MOU, handover…) jointly with governmental authorities, communities or partners

YOUR PROFILE

Education and Experience:

• Master degree in Disaster Risk Management or Environmental Engineering. Master degree can be balanced by experience.

• At least 2 years’ experience working in a Project Manager position

• Experience working in a Non-Governmental Organization Environment

• Experience in infrastructural work (mitigation schemes – dykes, flood diversion channels) – design and implementation

• Experience and sensibility for social cohesion and social tensions reduction programming

• Sound experience in Project Cycle Management, team management and Financial follow-up

• Experience of work in consortium is an asset

Personal & Professional Skills:

• Strong sense of community building within the office as well as with partners.

• Able to work with minimum supervision in a dynamic working environment.

• Strong planning ability needed to conduct activities with high level of details several months in advance.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to keep track of complex work plans and deadlines

• Fluent in both English and Arabic. French is an asset.

SI WILL OFFER YOU

Basic monthly salary:  2000 USD

Vacation: 1.5 days/month

Social and medical coverage