Program Manager/deputy Country Director

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking candidates for Program Manager/Deputy Country Director to be based in its Lebanon Office in Beirut. For 100 years, NEF has worked to build more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive communities in the Middle East and Africa through education, governance, and economic development initiatives. Working through a network of country offices and local partners, NEF currently operates in eight countries: Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Senegal and Sudan. Its programs are organized around three themes: Inclusive Economic Development, Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, and Peacebuilding. Position Description The Program Manager/Deputy Country Director is a member of the Near East Foundation leadership team in Lebanon, reporting to the Country Director, Jordan and Lebanon. The Program Manager/Deputy Country Director has overall responsibility for the effective management and implementation of the NEF projects in Lebanon. Responsibilities The Program Manager/Deputy Country Director will be responsible for the following areas: Leadership Contributes to NEF’s overall strategy for Lebanon, including program development, expansion, transition and sustainability strategies in support of the mission; Contributes to expansion and diversification of NEF’s program in Lebanon; Continuously develop personal knowledge and understanding about NEF’s core programmatic areas, both at the individual level and in the context of developing innovative solutions for future strategic program planning; Provides team leadership, technical capacity and motivational support to the country team through orientations, daily supervision, regular team meetings, learning and reflection events. Program Management Ensures project activities are implemented in a timely and effective manner, as outlined in the project proposals and budgets and in accordance with NEF policies and regulations; Supports the development of quarterly and annual implementation plans and monthly updates, through regular reflection on project implementation and in coordination with project staff and local partner organizations; Continuously assesses the context, assumptions and changes in the operating environment to ensure project and program focus, strategies and activities remain relevant; Recommends project changes including realignment of activities, budgets, contract extensions; Implements programmatic and financial recommendations from the Regional Finance Manager and Country Director. External Relations Maintains ongoing communication with program stakeholders regarding program progress and challenges; Functions as the primary point of contact with the aid and development community in Lebanon; Establishes positive working relationships with relevant government offices, local and international organizations, academic institutions and private sector actors with activities relevant to the program to identify areas for potential collaboration in coordination with Country Director;Maintains communication with NEF offices in the region and with Headquarters to ensure consistent information sharing and support, including financial, administrative and HR matters Project Administration Prepares periodic progress/final reports in compliance with donor and NEF’s requirements; Ensures compliance with applicable donor rules and regulations, including familiarizing all relevant project staff to them; Manages project budget including monthly review of expense reports; Supports preparation of procurement plans and monitors procurement processes; Ensures security and appropriate use of project and NEF assets; Perform other duties as assigned. Qualifications and Requirements The successful Program Manager/Deputy Country Director must be a self-directed individual with the following qualifications: Expertise in one or more of the following program areas: income generation, SME development, local economic development, refugee livelihoods, protection, gender & rights-based approaches; Proven record of effective project management, including project planning, implementation and managing a budget; Proven skills in partnership building, influence and negotiation with a range of humanitarian actors, including governments, UN agencies, academic institutions, networks, national/local NGOs and community groups; Strong facilitation skills, including the design and management of effective training, workshops and meetings with diverse participants; Fluency in English and Arabic; excellent verbal and written communication skills, including effective report writing; Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to work effectively across a wide variety of cultural contexts; Demonstrated experience managing, developing and leading teams to successfully achieve results; Effective team player, able to develop and maintain effective working relationships within a disperse and dynamic team; Flexible, creative and solution-oriented approach in an innovative and frequently high-pressure environment; Familiarity in development or humanitarian operational environments in Bekaa, North and Akaar regions; Understanding of the concepts behind and practical application of humanitarian codes and standards such as SPHERE, People In Aid Code, and Core Humanitarian Standard; Competence with MS Office applications, including Word, Excel and Outlook. Please apply by sending to recruitmentlebanon@neareast.org the following documents: Cover letter outlining relevant experience, availability and salary history Curriculum Vitae List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer)