Regional Programme Director Middle East

About Us

GOAL has responded to the world’s major humanitarian crises since its founding in 1977, working with vulnerable communities in 15 countries across the globe with a dedicated team of 3,500 personnel. While GOAL continues to be an agile first-responder to humanitarian crises, it is also committed to working with vulnerable communities to help them survive crises and support them on the road to recovery.

Job Purpose

As part of GOAL’s continuing efforts to ensure consistent and stable management during periods of transition and to maintain the highest standards in the management of our country programmes, we’re seeking to recruit a Regional Programme Director (Middle East). The role will focus on the provision of support for the consolidation of grant programmes in COs through a backstopping and coaching approach but may also provide ad-hoc support to other activities in the Middle East Region and with potential future deployment to countries in other regions.

The main aim of the role is to help strengthen the performance of senior positions and to provide oversight on field operations and programmes. The Regional PD will contribute to the design, development, documenting and sharing of best practices and procedures relating to all aspects of the management and implementation of country programmes. This will include management reporting, programme implementation, programme design, partnership and delivering on country strategy and annual plans.

**Ideally the successful candidate will be based in region in our Goal office in Amman, Jordan, however would also consider candidates based in Ireland or the UK (with willingness to travel to the region on a regular basis)**

Key areas of work will include:

• Operational cover for country based Programmes Directors and other senior programme positions as required.
• Support induction and training for new PDs and Deputy PD’s. The Regional PD will also provide ongoing mentorship and support to Deputy PD’s
• Supporting the development of new programmes via field assessments, programme design, proposal development, partner liaison, stakeholder engagement, proposal development etc.
• Support programmatic best practice and ensure compliance with GOAL policies and procedures.
• Liaise with GOAL’s Emergency Response Unit

Responsibilities

Programme Delivery and Management

• Backstop CO grant funded projects, ensure a quality implementation, on time and within budget. A key indicator of success will be the absence of a no cost extension for projects
• Capacity building of key CO programme staff, including a focus on support in designing kick off meetings, activity planning, scenario planning, risk management, programme impact and donor engagement.
• Gap fill for senior field programme personnel during times of absence such as Programmes Directors, assuming responsibility for programme development and delivery while inputting on processes including security management, HR, risk management, resource development and donor liaison, budget development, partner development and support, donor compliance, etc.);
• Provide surge support for programme management in existing country programmes as they scale up operations in response to new funding opportunities or to meet expanded humanitarian needs.
• In close cooperation with the Programme Technical Team, provide advice and support on the quality of programme implementation for specific key projects (both remotely and through field visits).

Human Resources

• Provide in-person and remote induction and orientation sessions to new senior programme personnel and provide ongoing mentorship and capacity building to existing programme staff.

Resource Development and Partner Liaison

• Working closely with the Funding and Business Development Unit, provide remote and in-country support for programme design and proposal development;
• Deploy to conduct or coordinate field assessments for new programming in new or existing areas of operation.
• Work with other members of the Programme Operations Team and GOAL’s global infrastructure to support GOAL’s engagement with the localisation agenda and ongoing engagement of partners from the global south.

Humanitarian Affairs

• Act as the Operations Department’s focal point with GOAL’s Humanitarian Unit, keeping abreast of sectoral developments in humanitarian action and liaising with the Emergency Response Unit on potential response actions as required;

Coordination and Policy/Procedures

• Provide input into the development of relevant programme strategies and policies and contribute to or lead the development of programme tools and processes as requested.
• Ensure GOAL policies and procedures for programme management are available (through direct dissemination as well as management of content on GOAL’s intranet), known, understood and are being implemented.

The Person

Proven management experience in humanitarian assistance / development programming
Experience in developing and delivering programmes in sectors including curative health, WASH, nutrition, social and behaviour change, disaster risk reduction, economic security, food security and gender.
Demonstrable experience in successful resource development with donors including Irish Aid, DFID, USAID (including OFDA and FFP), ECHO, EuropeAid, UN agencies, etc.
Capacity development skills including the development and delivery of training modules.
Demonstrated analytical and conceptual skills to plan projects, timetable activities, and oversee staff work.
Experience of preparing budgets and financial management.
Excellent written and spoken English and keen communication skills.
Willingness to travel and work in challenging environments and flexibility to deploy on short notice.
Good team player, capable of working with a multinational country team.

Desirable
To be based in the Middle East Region
Previous experience as an emergency first responder during rapid or slow onset crises.
An understanding of resilience and systems approaches, and experience with cash based modalities.
Capacity to work via French, Spanish or Arabic.

GOAL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all employees. We know that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. If you would like more information or have any special requirements or needs that would support you during the recruitment process then please contact the Recruitment team recruitment.hq@goal.ie

All employees share in the responsibility for fulfilling GOAL’s commitment to equal employment opportunity and equal treatment. GOAL does not discriminate against any employee or volunteer; or any applicant for employment or volunteering on the basis of age, gender identity, ancestry, political opinion, civil status, medical condition, ethnic background, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.