Head of Programme

All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s core values: dedication, innovation, inclusivity and accountability. These attitudes and believes shall guide our actions and relationships.

1. Role and responsibilities

The purpose of the Head of Programme position is to develop and ensure implementation of holistic high quality programmes.

Generic responsibilities (max 10)

1. Line management of Core Competence Specialists, HOPSU, Consortium Managers
2. Member of the CMG, identifying and communicating programme priorities to the CMG
3. Compliance with and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures
4. Lead the development of Core Competency strategies and lead on Country Strategy (Programme inputs) and BSC (programme initiatives/indicators).
5. Identify funding opportunities, develop funding strategies and forecasts
6. Grants management, BPO allocations and reporting to donors, including compliance with donor standards
7. Promote the rights of refugees and vulnerable host communities
8. Accountable directly to the donors to ensure that the project meets desired goals and objectives and to report on progress.
9. Accountable for Quality control, M&E and organizational learning
10. Oversee and be responsible of mainstreaming protection guidelines in the NRC’s related activities as per NRC’s Protection mainstreaming guidelines and ensure that all breaches/concerns reported are properly resolved

Specific responsibilities

1. Deputize for the CD when appointed
2. Support the development of quality standards/frameworks in NRC’s core competency programming and NRC Consortia programming
3. Encourage greater programme integration and develop monitoring mechanisms to support the integration.
4. Support contingency planning and ensure CC programmatic inputs
5. Accountable for the development of project proposals in collaboration with Programme Management Unit (PMU), Programme Managers and Area Managers and Consortium Managers
6. Support with the Protection Specialist (Safe and Inclusive Programming lead) to maintain and develop beneficiary feedback mechanism and internal and external referral mechanisms.
7. Ensure that all programme staff are trained in NRC’s project cycle management and receive appropriate technical capacity building as necessary.
8. Ensure that programme staff actively participate in the inter-agency coordination mechanisms for the response
9. Accountable for the collection, collation and dissemination of programme information and analysis
10. Engagement and development of donor relationships
11. Adapt the country programme to evolving context and needs

Critical interfaces

By interfaces, NRC means processes and projects that are interlinked with other departments/units or persons. Relevant interfaces for this position are:

• Proposal development: Finance Manager, Area Managers, Regional Programme Adviser, Head of Operations, Head of Support
• Programme development: Core Competencies PMU, MERO Technical Advisors, Regional and Global Programme Adviser, Regional Head of Programs.
• BPO and allocation of shared costs: Finance Manager, Area Managers, Head of Operations, Head of Support
• Grant management: Area Managers, Regional programme support, Head of Operations, Head of Support

Scale and scope of position

Staff:

5 Specialists, 1 Programme Development Manager, 2 Consortium Managers, 1 Head of PSU

Stakeholders:

In-country donors, local authorities, UN agencies and local NGOs

Budgets:

Responsible for go/no go decisions and overall grant development and reporting – current portfolio, 35 million USD

Information:

Agresso, M&E systems, GORS, Cycles etc

2. Competencies

Competencies are important in order for the employee and the organisation to deliver desired results. They are relevant for all staff and are divided into the following three categories:

1. Professional competencies

These are skills, knowledge and experience that are important for effective performance.

Generic professional competencies for this position:

• Minimum 4 years’ experience from a senior management position in a humanitarian/ recovery context
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Experience of working in one or more of NRC’s Core Competencies
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal. Knowledge of French and Arabic desirable.
• Valid driver’s license

Context/specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge and experience working in the context of Lebanon
• Knowledge of donor landscape, priorities and conditions (including experience working with development donors EU, AFD, KFW)
• Experience inspiring and managing change
• Promote programmatic approaches beyond siloed core competencies, improve common objectives.
• Experience of steering the development of M&E systems, beneficiary accountability mechanisms, protection mainstreaming. Experience of working with consortia.

Behavioural competencies 

These are personal qualities that influence how successful people are in their job. NRC’s Competency Framework states 12 behavioural competencies, the following are essential for this position:

• Strategic thinking
• Initiating action and change
• Influencing
• Handling insecure environments
• Empowering and building trust