Deputy Director for Programs

BACKGROUND

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Inside Syria, 6.5 people are internally displaced and 9.3 million are in need of humanitarian assistance; the region is hosting over 3.5 million refugees. IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis. With an annual budget in excess of $100 million and a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1100 staff in the region, IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, education, women’s protection and empowerment, distribution of and core relief items, cash assistance, water and environmental health, and economic recovery. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

In response to the influx of Syrian refugees to Lebanon in mid-2012, IRC opened a country office and launched humanitarian assistance programming. IRC operates throughout Lebanon, with the main office in Beirut and field offices in Qobayat, Zahle, Tripoli, Tyre and Mount Lebanon. IRC’s programs assist Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese in host communities across multiple sectors: education, livelihoods, protection, women's protection and empowerment, child protection, and cash assistance. IRC Lebanon’s current portfolio amounts to $23M, with further growth anticipated.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Deputy Director for Programs plays a leading role in ensuring overall program quality and impact. The DDP also ensures that programs are evidence and needs driven, monitored closely and funded appropriately. Reporting to the Country Director and a member of the Senior Management Team, the DDP supervises a total of six staff including five technical program coordinators and the grants coordinator.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Representation

• Provide leadership and supervisory management for programs in Lebanon, including mobilization and stewardship of resources, program quality and accountability, and performance management.
• Participate actively in country program management, coordination, and strategy meetings with other members of the senior management team.
• Actively engage with donors, partner agencies, and the humanitarian community in Lebanon to ensure IRC is strongly represented in coordination and advocacy efforts.
• Actively liaise with IRC programs in the Syria Response Region and the regional team to maximize synergies and application of best practice across the SRR.

Strategic Direction, Program Quality and Growth

• Provide cohesive leadership to IRC’s program teams in Lebanon, ensuring that priorities and opportunities identified are in line with and contribute to achievement of IRC’s objectives for the Syria Response region and the Lebanon Strategic Action Plan.
• Provide guidance to the program team regarding tools and strategies to ensure that programming is based on input from communities, a thorough understanding of the context, and technical best practices.
• Work with colleagues in country program, region and HQ to identify funding opportunities and develop competitive, responsive proposals that meet internal standards, apply IRC’s global strategy and are donor compliant; meet with donors to discuss current and potential funding opportunities.
• Through the provision of leadership support to the in-country grants team, and in close collaboration with the Finance Team, develop evidenced based and cost-effective funding applications.
• Work closely with operational support departments to ensure systems are regularly reviewed and in place to support strategic growth.
• Remain abreast of ongoing humanitarian response and funding trends in the region, and provide regular updates on these trends and analysis of how they may affect IRC programming.

Staff Performance Management and Development

• Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, establishing a supportive environment while emphasizing accountability, providing regular and timely constructive performance feedback, and leading documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition roles and responsibilities of select coordinator positions, by end of assignment
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Work with regional HR staff to identify and implement recruitment and retention strategies.

Grant Monitoring & Partner Management

• Support Program Coordinators to develop, adapt and implement appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems that enhance program effectiveness and quality.
• Working with the Program Coordinators, ensure appropriate and timely grant spending to achieve program goals, including procurement, use and distribution of supplies and resources.
• Support the submission of timely, accurate and well-written donor reports and other reporting requirements.

Communications

• Model and encourage active practice of the principles of the “IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct” throughout the Lebanon country program.
• Maintain a healthy and empowering office environment that encourages open, honest and productive communication among IRC staff and with partner organizations.
• Maintain open communications with regional management staff, regional technical advisors, and HQ departmental staff.

Supervisory Responsibilities 

Six direct reports including the Economic Recovery and Development Coordinator, Protection Coordinator, Women’s Protection and Empowerment Coordinator, Child Protection Coordinator, Education Coordinator, and Grants Coordinator.

Professional Standards

IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in a relevant field preferred
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience managing complex humanitarian programming. Previous experience in an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting is required.
• Strong familiarity with IRC Lebanon’s core programming areas including Protection, Education, Economic Recovery and Development, Child Protection, and Women's Protection and Empowerment.
• Demonstrated successful leadership experience managing a multi-disciplinary team and cross-cultural dynamics
• Superior diplomatic and coordination skills are essential, both for internal coordination and for working with key stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability for rapid, accurate analysis of complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic priorities into operational strategies
• Proven track record of leading multi-location teams
• Repeated, successful experience delivering appropriate levels oversight for a portfolio consisting of a variety of complex, high-value donor-funded projects
• Politically astute, with well-developed diplomatic and negotiating skills
• Fluency in spoken and written English; working knowledge of Arabic strongly preferred
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders
• Extensive representation and fundraising success, including prior experience with European, US and international donors
• Experience of managing programs in a complex and rapidly changing security context
• Established capacity to deal with ambiguity in stressful situations
• Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes
• A keen understanding of political complexities in the Middle East region
• Strong commitment to IRC’s vision, mission and core values
• Motivated, positive individual who excels at taking initiative and is able to motive team members to produce results under pressure while maintaining a sense of humor.

This position is based in Beirut and is partially accompanied with private accommodation.

Returning National Candidates :  We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a national of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Syria Response Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation,   return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.  

IRC leading the way from harm to home. 

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
 IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.