Country Director - Lebanon

Rights Respected, People Protected

NRC in Lebanon

In 2015, NRC’s operations in Lebanon provided assistance to more than 300,000 beneficiaries  

As the Syrian crisis approaches its seventh anniversary, Lebanon continues to host an estimated 1.5 million refugees from Syria as well as approximately 270,000 Palestine refugees – this makes Lebanon the country with the highest per capita ratio of refugees in the world, with one person in four being a refugee. This places a strain on public infrastructure and relations between host and refugee communities.

Whereas Palestine refugees mostly reside in camps and gatherings where they were located decades ago, Syrian refugees have been left to find their own accommodation solutions and are dispersed throughout the country creating challenges to reach refugee families and to determine relative vulnerability.  The needs faced by refugees remain huge and are increasing, at the same time as donors call for greater sustainability in what remains a humanitarian response. Against this backdrop, the Country Director will guide the strategic planning process for 2018-20 working with the teams to frame NRC’s programme response in the coming three years. Based on information generated from NRC’s programming, the Country Director is responsible for advocacy to help refugees to secure their rights during displacement. 

The projected country budget for 2017 exceeds USD 35 million and more than 450 full time staff work with NRC Lebanon. In 2016, NRC’s programmes in Lebanon reached more than 300,000 refugee and host community beneficiaries. Currently the Lebanon country programme implements information, counselling and legal assistance (ICLA), shelter, WASH, education, and community management and coordination programmes for Syrian refugees. In addition, NRC implements community support projects (mainly WASH) in communities hosting refugees and works with Palestinian refugees in Lebanon in ICLA, education and shelter.

The Country Director leads the Country Management Group in Lebanon and is a member of the Regional Senior Management Team under the leadership on the Middle East Regional Director.

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

Role Specific Information

Though many additional experiences lie ahead for the successful candidate, the key responsibilities of the role include:

• National representation
• Development and execution of NRC Lebanon Country Strategy
• Overall responsible for all activities, personnel and the country management team (CMT)
• Safety and security of all staff
• Country level advocacy
• Responsible for overall resource allocation, mobilization and control
• Responsible for cost efficiency
• Ensure adequate country structures and systems
• Learning, training and development for all staff, including a strategy for national staff development
• Adherence to NRC policies

Our Ideal Candidate:

A highly experienced professional with a minimum of 5 years’ experience working as a Senior Manager/Country Director in humanitarian/recovery context.  A college graduate with an advanced university degree in a subject relevant to humanitarian action, human rights, or refugees. Strong leadership skills and proven result related to the position’s responsibilities, including financial management and performance management. Knowledge of the context in Lebanon and the Middle East. Proficiency in Arabic is appreciated.

We are looking for a strategic thinker that is able to handle high pressure environments, can build trust and empower others and that has a strong network ability and skills of persuasion. Having a good sense of humour is always an important asset.

Additional Information:

Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications may be screened prior to the vacancy deadline

Contract period: 24 months

Preferred Start Date: May 2017

Salary/benefits: According to NRC’s salary scale and terms and conditions

Duty station: Beirut

Approved health certificate will be requested before contract start

For further information please see the link to the Job Description below.

NRC may be required to verify the identity of its partners and to check that its partners have not been involved in illegal activities.

NRC reserves the right to use electronic screening tools for this purpose.

NB: Please enter the geographical location in the "Company name" field for both company and location on your application.

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