Programs Manager

Job Description: Programs Manager

Position Type: Full Time, exempt (not eligible to receive overtime pay)

Compensation: Commensurate with experience

Location: UPA office, Lebanon

Reports to: Regional Director of Programs

Position Summary

The Programs Manager is responsible for providing senior-level leadership, strategy and oversight to the Lebanon field office. He/She will ensure that all program design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), reporting, budget and compliance, are delivered to high standards, on time, as well as within both scope and budget. They also represent the field office externally (donors, government, partners) and ensure that work is aligned with UPA’s core values and policies including gender, diversity, safeguarding, “Do No Harm”, as well as donor regulations.

The Lebanon Programs Manager is a member of UPA’s Field Operations Team. The primary responsibility of the Programs Manager is to assist in accomplishing UPA's goals and objectives by managing projects and supervising and coordinating program activities, particularly in the health sector, education, and community development. This position also entails collaborating closely with UPA partners, other field offices, as well as expanding UPA’s network of potential partners.

The Programs Manager is responsible for field-based oversight of UPA’s in-kind donations, which UPA imports into Lebanon. The Programs Manager oversees the GIK Coordinator and ensures that donated medical goods, particularly pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, meet local needs, comply with regulatory requirements, and are efficiently distributed to partners.

Strategy & Vision

· Provide strategic vision, leadership and overall responsibility for field office development, implementation and management.

· Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve objectives and impact.

· Ensure that field programmatic design and implementation reflect best practices, lessons learned, and are adaptive to changing contexts.

Field Office Management

· Lead the management, administration and implementation of programs across target locations. Ensure implementation is on time, target and budget.

· Develop implementation strategies including partnerships, beneficiary targeting, distribution / delivery mechanisms, and work-plans.

· Ensure programmatic minimum standards, donor rules, and UPA policies (gender, diversity, safeguarding, Do No Harm) are closely adhered to.

· Oversee financial management for the field office: budget forecasting, expenditure tracking, coordination with finance/operations.

Program Implementation & Management

· Oversee and/or directly manage the implementation of projects/activities, as needed, ensuring the timely and cost-effective implementation of Lebanon activities ensuring alignment with work-plans and budgets.

· Manage relationships with implementing partners, government agencies, local civil society, and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated delivery and sustainability.

· Ensure adaptive management: monitor context changes (security, displacement, climate, economic) and guide field office adjustments accordingly.

· Responsible and accountable for the performance of the project/s team including the partners (if applicable), in terms of outputs, quality, efficiency, and compliance with both UPA and donor’s rules and policies.

· Lead and write work plans, monthly narrative updates, field reports, progress reports, annual narrative, and support to develop financial reports as required by UPA and/or the donor.

· In cooperation with the procurement staff, prepare tender documents, participate in analyzing bids, and recommend contractors to supervisors.

· Conduct field visits to different projects locations and meet with beneficiaries/partners/community reps to make sure that all activities are implemented in the best way, and according to the plans.

· Work with the MEAL Director to monitor and track program effectiveness.

· Work closely with the communication team to ensure all communication/visibility requirements are met.

· Participate in UPA meetings and external meetings as required. Active participation and representation of UPA in governmental, national, international/UN and health related platforms and clusters.

· Oversee the Lebanon Gifts in Kind (GIK) Program and serve as the authority for all UPA procurements of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in Lebanon; sit on the committee that determines which hospitals and primary healthcare centers receive support from UPA’s procurements.

· Maintain regular contact with health providers serving Palestinian refugees to stay apprised of their medical needs; lead all technical needs assessments for planned procurements of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.

· Other duties as assigned.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

· Work with MEL teams to ensure effective M&E systems are in place, that data inform decision-making, and lessons learned are captured and applied.

· Ensure accountability to beneficiaries, feedback mechanisms and continuous learning are built in.

Team Leadership & Capacity Building

· Hire, orient and supervise field office staff and partners. Provide mentoring, performance feedback and create an environment of excellence and wellbeing.

· Ensure coordination and harmonization of workplans across field office teams and support functions (finance, operations, HR, logistics).

Representation, Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

· Act as main focal point and liaison for donors, government, external stakeholders, and partners.

· Represent UPA in relevant coordination mechanisms, forums and working groups, while simultaneously building and managing strategic partnerships.

Compliance, Safety & Operations

· Ensure that security, operational systems, logistics, procurement and asset management support field office delivery and comply with organizational standards.

· Promote safeguarding (including child protection, harassment prevention), accountability and ethical behavior in the team and field office.

Qualifications & Experience

· 5+ years of progressive experience managing programs/projects in international development or humanitarian contexts.

· An education degree in related health fields; Pharmacy, Public/Community Health, Health Management, or International Development, International Affairs, Economics, Social Sciences, or Education management or relevant field; master’s preferred.

· Experience working with refugee communities, particularly in the Palestinian camps. Strong familiarity with the camp communities, dynamics, and needs.

· Experience in managing multi-sector programs/projects preferred.

· Experience with pharmaceutical, medical supply, and/or medical equipment procurements (preferred).

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written) in both Arabic and English.

· Experience managing budgets, donor compliance, reporting.

· Strong leadership, communication, partnership, negotiation and representation skills.

· Ability to work in complex, changing environments.

· Understanding of monitoring & evaluation systems, adaptive management, accountability to beneficiaries.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

· In humanitarian contexts: ability to work under pressure, travel to field locations.

· Fluency in English and Arabic.

Success Factors

· Ability to think strategically while managing the day-to-day details of program delivery.

· Strong team building and capacity-building focus; ability to nurture emerging talent.

· Adaptability and creativity in responding to changing contexts, leveraging lessons learned and best practices.

· Commitment to UPA’ values: accountability, inclusion, gender equity, “do no harm”, collaboration.