Country Representative for Lebanon

Position Summary and Purpose

The IOCC Country Representative for Lebanon has overall responsibility for leading and managing IOCC’s programs in Lebanon, providing strategic and directional oversight of programs and operations. The IOCC Country Representative will actively seek opportunities for business development and representation among key networks and work closely with the regional team leadership to ensure the sustainability of the Lebanon Program. This position is full-time and essential in-person.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions

• Business Development: In conjunction with HQ Deputy Director for Strategic Services, HQ Deputy Director of Programs, and the Regional Manager of Middle East Programs, develops comprehensive country resource mobilization strategies identifying key partnership opportunities in the private, public and academic sectors; actively pursues funding opportunities with local and international donors, such as US Government, European Union, Ecumenical partners, UN agencies, and International NGOs; ensures that potential projects are identified, and proposals are developed in accordance with the mission and goals of IOCC and in line with donor requirements; grow IOCC’s country program through developing high-quality project design(s) and proposals.
• Representation: Acts as the legal representative of IOCC in the country; represents IOCC and interfaces with Government, Church Functionaries, Local NGOs, UN agencies, national & International NGOs, donors, existing and potential project partners; maintains a strong relationship with the Orthodox Church and its representatives under the guidance of the Manager of Middle East Programs;
• Safety and Security: Ensures IOCC staff adhere to all IOCC and donor mandated safety and security regulations, policies, and practices and takes corrective actions as required; implements and maintains regular monitoring of the context of the country to manage and mitigate security risks; provides consistent updates and implements IOCC’s security procedures and plans in coordination with the IOCC Safety and Security Manager and the Lebanon Safety and Security Focal Point.
• Program Compliance: Provides oversight to all in-country programs, ensures successful implementation, program impact and institutional growth, including visits to project sites and project stakeholders; in coordination with the IOCC Safety and Security Manager and the Lebanon Safety and Security Focal Point, cultivates a diligent approach to risk management across all field office operations, ensuring that IOCC fully meets its obligations, including compliance and reporting requirements to donors and governments; supports staff with compliance related initiatives that are in line with IOCC’s mission; develops high quality and timely country operation plans ensuring application of best practices, NGO guidelines and standards, strategic plan alignment. Through the Manager of Middle East Programs: coordinates with HQ Programs team to oversee design and implementation of IOCC’s MEAL system, using appropriate forms, procedures and tools for data collection and analysis as the basis for measuring, documenting and reporting of project performance and outcomes; coordinates all internal and external program evaluations with HQ MEAL Officer/Project Coordinator; collaborates with Communications department on developing all communication materials (internal and external), speaking engagements, branding commitments, digital/social/traditional media initiatives related to IOCC programs in-country, including advance coordination on media, website hosting and communications related activities in proposals.
• Financial Management: Ensures strategic, operational, and efficient use of all IOCC and donor assets (financial and physical); exercises responsible oversight of budgets and grant portfolios; leads efforts to improve the consistency and quality of financial and grant management; reports all financial sustainability and budget management efforts with Finance department; ensures compliance and accuracy as it relates to all financial and administrative responsibilities as detailed out in the Field Finance and Procedures Manual (FFP), Field Operations and Administration Manual (FOAM) and Sub-Recipient Policy and Procedures.
• People Management: Oversees and supports all IOCC staff of the country office; manages recruitment portfolio of local staff ensuring in-country policies and procedures are supported by appropriate legal advice and in compliance with local labor laws; coordinates with HQ Director of Programs and Manager of Middle East Programs to ensure proper preparation of job descriptions (in line with global organizational standards), salary implementation, staff orientation; benefits review, training on IOCC policies and procedures; provides supervision, mentoring and training to local teams according to personnel management system; leads in-country performance management process including evaluating and supporting direct reports; ensures all IOCC staff have completed periodic and annual performance management sessions with quality feedback; ensures a consistently high level of team performance; leads, mentors and models productive, collaborative intra and inter-departmental working relationships; provides timely, quality support and feedback to teams.

  Minimally Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Technical Sectors Area Expertise: Extensive knowledge and experience in international aid and humanitarian relief program principles, practices, and services of programs, including the latest professional developments in humanitarian relief; deep understanding of programs and interventions in IOCC’s five sectors: emergency preparedness and response; water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); sustainable livelihoods; food security and agriculture; and health.
• Project Management: Excellent project and time management skills; identifies and defines project requirements, scope, and objectives; knowledge of sectoral areas of engagement; program monitoring and evaluation; budgeting and finance management; activity design, and proposal development and sequencing.
• Relationship Management: Advanced skills in leveraging effective working relationships and influencing key stakeholders in support of business goals.
• Cultural Sensitivity and Knowledge: Cross-cultural sensitivity desired; demonstrated capacity to work with members of the HQ and field staff; familiarity with US and European donors and their rules and requirements.
• Communication: Advanced oral and written skills using different forms of media; competence in understanding, interpreting, and communicating procedures, policies, processes and procedures; ability to translate complex concepts to individuals at all levels; excellent analytical and conceptual skills.
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning: Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation including the communication of results.
• Project Planning, Management and Budgeting: Proven ability to tactically plan and manage projects. Proven ability to manage budgets.
• Decision-Making and Problem-Solving: Advanced skills using data to inform decision-making, planning, and monitoring.
• Software Applications: Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, database and internet applications.
• Influencing and Customer Service Skills: Proven ability to influence using diplomacy skills with key stakeholders. In-depth demonstrated customer service skills.
• Self-Management and Teamwork: Ability to work independently or as a member of the team, ability to be detailed-oriented and consistently accurate, ability to manage stress effectively in a fast-paced environment, and ability to quickly learn new systems, processes and procedures.
• Confidentiality: Proven ability to maintain confidentiality on work-related issues.

Minimally Required Education, Experience, and Training

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Masters’ Degree preferred, particularly with a focus on management or international development
• 8 years’ experience in the sector, including personnel and programs management, and time living abroad in a development or humanitarian relief context.

Physical Requirements and Working Environment

• Travel required: Lives, works, and travels (at least 30%)in medium-to- high-risk environments
• Uses cellular and desk phone, laptop or desktop computer
• Standard office environment; mostly sedentary position; sits talking on the phone for long periods of time.
• May require bending, kneeling, crawling, standing, sitting, lifting up to 20 lbs.
• Infrequent weekend and evening work may be required.