Area Manager - Zahle

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Area Manager will lead the Bekaa Field Office in implementing programmes in Education, Child Protection, Child Rights Governance, Shelter/Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and Food Security and Livelihood  across Central, West and North Bekaa.

He/she will ensure that comprehensive needs assessments are conducted alongside with the implementation of programmes with a focus on children. He/she will be responsible for the implementation of a comprehensive portfolio that takes into consideration the development needs of all children in Lebanon and the specific needs of children and communities at large affected by the Syrian crisis in the context of intervention. 

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Director of Programme Operations

Dimensions: Save the Children works throughout Lebanon with offices in Beirut, Zahle and Kuwaikhat. Currently, the country office has about 200 staff members.

Staff directly reporting to this post: 3 Sector Leads, 1 Finance Coordinator, 1 Supply Chain Officer, and 2 Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Officers.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme Management

- Manage all programmes in Bekaa area of operation, oversight of project implementation plans, assess progress of implementation of activities against plans on monthly basis, and document the progress and action corrective measures as and when required. Take the lead in demonstrating practices for quality program implementation.

- Track budget spending and support the preparation of financial reports and the award review process.

- Ensure that all projects have clear indicators aligned with SC global standards, useful and accurate baseline data and staff friendly reporting formats.

- Ensure donor reporting, evaluation (including impact evaluation), and documentation.

- Ensure that country strategy and the annual country plans are implemented and reviewed in line with the regional and global strategies.

- Maintain clear overview of the security, political and legal context.

- Ensure appropriate participation of staff in program management and decision making and raise necessary issues at Senior Management Meetings held at central level.

- Represent Save the Children in inter agencies meetings and at Governorate level meetings with government officials.

- Play a key role in partners’ capacity assessment and development for building national civil society in Bekaa area of operation .

Office/Staff Management

- Manage, mentor and motivate the staff in the field to undertake their roles and responsibilities effectively.

- In close coordination with Director Programme Operation and all operations staff, optimally manage the field offices, guest houses, vehicles and other assets including adherence of staff to SCI policies and guidelines.

- Ensure all staff in the area of operation adheres to the safety & security guidelines.

- Guide the Human Resources team to develop, maintain and implement the Human Resources  strategy. 

- Follow SC standards and procedures in terms of supervision, recruitment and evaluation of staff under his/her supervision.

- Support SC visitors to the Bekaa field office and programmes.

Programme Design and Development

- Ensure that programmes are designed and implemented in a comprehensive manner while aligning to SCI national, regional and global priorities.

- In close coordination with Project Managers, Technical Advisors and PDQ Director improve the quality of programming that shows impact on the situation of children.

- Help respond to opportunities to expand programmes/impact. Help draft/develop concept papers and proposals with staff, Programme Managers, and other Technical Advisors as requested.

- Help staff build on synergies and integration among all projects.

- Support the development/evolution of existing programmes, with the aim of ensuring that staff has the capacity to support others (local partners and government counterparts) in the implementation of quality programmes that show impact.

- Support staff in the preparation and implementation of advocacy plans as related to their programmes.

- Support and represent SCI in coordination, programme learning and capacity building vis-a-vis national policy/advocacy and strategy planning initiatives as requested by supervisor.

- Representation, Advocacy and Coordination.

- Participate in local based coordination with GOs, NGOs and partners.

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development

- Ensure appropriate staffing within the team.

- Ensure that all team staff understand and are able to perform their roles in humanitarian programmes.

- Manage team, define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly.

- Ensure the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff.

- Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process.  Establish result based system and follow up.

- Actively develop staff under the AM’s line management, including carrying out succession planning for national staff into positions which are currently international

- Manage the performance of all staff in the team 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.

- 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:

Essential

- At least 5 years/substantial experience working with a humanitarian/development organisation, including significant experience working at field level

- University degree in related academic discipline or equivalent work experience.

- Skills and experience in project/programme implementation, monitoring,review and evaluation preferably from a child rights approach in accordance with the CRC and international humanitarian rights standards.

- Substantial people and programme management experience with good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels.

- Solid experience in grant management, including budget holding and donor reporting.

- Substantial understanding or proven experience of security management issues.

- Ability to produce high quality reports in English.

- Representational, political awareness and advocacy skills.

- Ability to work with limited supervision from line manager.

- Experience of working with partners and a participatory approach.

- Fluency in written and spoken English and computer literate.

- Commitment to and understanding of SCI’s aims, values and principles.

Desirable

- Experience and/or an interest in working in Middle East region.

- Ability to communicate in Arabic.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.