Programme Director - Lebanon

Expertise France operates in various fields of development and institutional cooperation including safety and security reform, post-crisis/ stability, public health, human rights, strengthening of institutions and NGOs and governance. Carrying out large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects, EF can ensure the cooperation between individuals, teams and institutions with very different statuses, cultures and specialties. Besides, EF has acquired a sound experience in administrative and financial management of large-scale international projects and is accredited by the European Union for the management of delegated Community funds.

Context

The Middle East is currently experiencing a profound crisis. The conflicts in Syria and Iraq are both a reflection and a transmitter of this crisis, with growing potential to further destabilise neighbouring countries and the wider region. These crises have resulted in a humanitarian disaster affecting more than 13.5 million people who were forced to flee their homes from Syria, and more than 17 million people in need of humanitarian aid (12.2 in Syria and 5.2 in Iraq).

Lebanon is now home to the largest number of Syrian refugees per capita relative to its total population, putting a severe strain on the country’s fragile infrastructures, economy, and security. The population of Lebanon was estimated at about 4.8 million (including almost half a million Palestinian refugees) in 2013. Even though Lebanon has not signed the 1951 Refugee Convention, up to date it has taken in about a fourth of its own population. According to UNHCR, in April 2018, 986 942 persons from Syria were registered as refugees in Lebanon. In the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan 2017-2020 (LCRP), the total number of people living in Lebanon is estimated at 5.9 million, with 3.3 million people in need. Among the Syrian refugee population in Lebanon, which today comprises over 1.5 million people, the Bekaa Valley contains the highest concentration of refugees, with over 360,000 registered with UNHCR

In Lebanon, Expertise France ensures the consistency and the coordination of a project funded by EU and BMZ, for the benefit of both Syrian refugees and Lebanese host communities.

Background information on the programme

The programme “Qudra - Resilience for Syrian refugees, IDPs and Host communities in Response to the Syrian and Iraqi Crises” is a regional action that seeks to strengthen the resilience of Syrian refugees, IDPs and host communities in response to the Syrian and Iraqi crises in five areas or modules (Specific Objectives, SO). Qudra is commissioned and financed by the EU Regional Madad Trust Fund and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

The Programme has a duration period from June 2016 – June 2019. It is implemented in Jordan, Lebanon, North Iraq (Kurdistan Region of Iraq), and Turkey by a group of European Member States Agencies, led by GIZ, the Spanish Organisation AECID, and Expertise France (EF). It covers five specific objectives (SO); Education Infrastructure (SO1); Skills Development (SO2); Social Cohesion/Social stability (SO3); Supporting Local Administration (SO4); Facilitating Dialogue and Dissemination (SO5). The specific objectives and implementing partners vary across the countries.

The programme seeks to improve social stability between communities in Lebanon through a comprehensive and local approach of protection for children and adults. To do so, Expertise France is in charge of implementing the Specific Objective 3 (SO3) and the activities will revolve around four pilars: (i) support to Social Development Centers (SDCs) of the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA), (ii) Child protection activities iii) protection activities for adults and (iv) campaigns and communication activities.

Expertise France will work within the framework of the LCRP in close partnership with Ministry of Social Affairs and Civil Society Organizations. The programme should be implemented in the SDCs of the MoSA as well as annexes that might be developed during the project’s lifespan.

Expertise France Team is composed of a programme coordinator, a senior technical advisor, an administrative and finance manager, a security and logistics manager and relies on a team of technical expert. Expertise France is looking for a Programme Director for the last year of implementation of the QUDRA programme.

1.Job Description / Assignment

Based in Lebanon (Beirut), the Programme Director is responsible for the overall implementation of the QUDRA programme.

Working under the authority of Expertise France P2S Director and in close collaboration with the headquarter Stabilisation Head of unit and QUDRA programme coordinator, the Programme Director carry on the following tasks:

Operations Management

• Coordinate the implementation of the programme in Lebanon. Support and accompany the programme manager, senior technical advisor and partners in the implementation of the QUDRA programme;
• Update activity planning tools on a regular basis and ensure they are communicated to HQ.
• Ensure the quality of the programme
• Guarantee the application of EF « In-house » procedures;
• Ensure that the reporting are delivered to Donors in a timely and professional manner;
• Ensure implementation of the programme in close collaboration with authorities, donors and local partners.

Human Resource Management

• Manage the team based in Beirut (at least 6 persons and a team of short-term experts);
• Supervise the related human resources, budgetary, financial and administrative functions of the QUDRA office in accordance with EF’s regulations and procedures. Be responsible for recruitment and capacity building of the staff
• Keep the P2S department fully informed of the activities. Report regularly to the P2S Director, Head of Unit of Stabilization and other interested partners on progress achieved and developments in Lebanon
• Prepare briefings and background information when requested for field mission by HQ, the Government and other entities
• Define employee line management, objectives and carry out regular performance assessments for each employee;
• Ensure knowledge transfer and team capacity; 
• Supervise internal rules and procedures are implemented the field office

Development and follow up of strategies, policies and programme

• Define and maintain EF's actions for Lebanon within the framework of  European institutions, EU member states and other international agencies orientations;
• Develop and maintain a medium and long-term strategic positioning for EF as well as participate in the development of programmes contributing to EF's overall objectives in the region
• Monitor the evolution of the conflict in Syria and ensure that EF strategy and programmes implementation reflect these changes of context;
• Monitor the humanitarian and non-humanitarian contexts in Lebanon and (re) define programmes accordingly;
• Ensure that safety and security management of EF personnel and facilities in the relevant offices are addressed, in coordination with the Security Director at HQ level
• Maintain and further develop liaison and close working relationships with the French embassy, local and governmental authorities and diplomatic missions, UN agencies, regional, non-governmental and international organizations

Representation

• Represent Expertise France (together with QUDRA project manager at HQ level) in the governance bodies of QUDRA
• Represent Expertise France at the local and national levels with the authorities implementing partners, the European Commission, GIZ, UN agencies and international donors;
• Work in close cooperation with the diplomatic team of the French Embassy in Beirut;
• Broaden network of contacts among government officials, international Organizations and other partners.

2. Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge

A. Knowledge of the context

• A minimum of 10 years proven experience in operational management of emergency/humanitarian programme and or stabilisation in crisis countries;
• A proven knowledge of the political and institutional context in Lebanon as well as security environment
• Perfect understanding of the differences between humanitarian and non-humanitarian sector.
• A previous experience on the refugees issue is an asset

B. Project Management and Management skills

• Proven capacity in team management skills and ability to ensure their safety;
• Good command of programme and project management life cycle including strategic planning, development, management follow-up and evaluation. Good working knowledge of European Commission procedures required.
• Experience in administrative, financial and logistics management;
• Experience in follow-up and evaluation of projects and excellent capacity in reporting in English
• Preferable prior knowledge of working in Lebanon/Middle East

C. Skills in representation and negotiation

• Proven ability to cooperate and negotiate with local and institutional partners as well as government representatives.
• Excellent communication skills ability to adapt to a diverse multicultural environment.
• Excellent skills in communication and representation

D. General skills:

• Excellent level of English (oral and written).  Knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage.
• Relevant university degree (eg. Political or social science, international development, community development) or experience;
• Diplomatic, patient and determined.

3.LOCATION, DURATION AND ARRANGEMENTS FOR PERFORMANCE

Location: Beirut (Lebanon) with possible travel in the country and the region, and missions at the HQ in Paris

Duration: 12 months;

Starting date: July 2018