Country Representative Lebanon

General information:

Duty Station: Lebanon

Job terms: full-time contract (40 hours/week)

Contract duration: 12 months with 3 months of probation period, possibility of extension after 12 months upon available funding

Starting date: October 2024, depending on the provided funding

Supervision of: staff based in Lebanon, currently Project Assistant, Finance Manager and Agriculture Expert

Dependents: non-family duty station

About People in Peril:

People in Peril (previously known as People in Need) is a Slovak non-profit organization, providing direct support to those who suffer the consequences of war, to victims of natural disasters, or those living in poverty on the margins of society. People in Peril was founded 1999 by a group of journalists moved by their experience of the devastating consequences of the conflict in Kosovo on civilians and has since then been providing humanitarian and development assistance worldwide. Currently, People in Peril is one of the major humanitarian actors in Slovakia responding the Ukraine, and since 2006 is presented in Lebanon.

For more information, please refer to: https://clovekvohrozeni.sk/people-in-need-slovakia/

General context in Lebanon:

Lebanon’s history is shaped by regional instability, notably the Syrian crisis since 2011, impacting its economy significantly. With a large diaspora and hosting the most refugees per capita globally, Lebanon faces enduring repercussions from the 1975-1990 civil war and the 2006 conflict. Political divides, weak institutions, and diminished trust between sectors compound its challenges. Despite initial resilience, Lebanon now grapples with a severe economic collapse since late 2019, marked by plummeting GDP, reduced income, and rising unemployment. Basic services like fuel and electricity are scarce due to depleted reserves, while inflation and poverty worsen due to import shortages. The devastating Beirut explosion in 2020 further strained recovery, leaving over 50% of Lebanese food insecure amidst the country’s multifaceted crises.

From October 2023, an active conflict between Gaza and Israel was added to the current crises, which significantly affects the south of Lebanon, causing movement of IDP across the country from the South borders and increasing the risk of war due to internal tensions.

The work of PIP focuses on providing humanitarian aid and supporting vulnerable communities affected by economic, political, social, and refugee crises. PIP has worked closely with local partners and organizations to address the needs of refugees and host communities.

The projects are implemented mainly in Akkar and North governorate, as those areas are the most affected by the refugee crisis and are long-term rated as having the highest poverty, and the target population is exposed to the most serious consequences of the multi-crisis. And at the same time, it is an area very important for self-supply of food due to its agricultural character.

Funding has been provided from various donors such as SlovakAid (the funding mechanism of the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs), EU MADAD (EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian crisis), or public collections.

So far, People in Peril in partnership with local partners has implemented in Lebanon the projects of a total budget of 1,51 M EUR in the sectors WASH, Livelihoods, Education, Food Security.

Purpose of the position

The Country Representative represents the organization externally, leads operational activities in north Lebanon, and contributes to strategic planning and development.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Representation, External Relations and Accountability

1. Represents PIP in front of the country government and all relevant authorities;
2. Represents PIP and to be responsible for relations with donors, local and international partners, and other relevant stakeholders;
3. Participates in coordination meetings and sector/working groups (WG) meeting as well as speaks on behalf of PIP;
4. Is responsible for keeping the positive relations with PIP local partners;
5. Is responsible for maintaining high visibility of PIP in areas of the programmes implementation and whenever possible on country level as well.

Strategy, partnerships and resource mobilization

1. Is responsible for the analysis and assessment of humanitarian/development needs and risks present in the country, reporting periodically to Head of RDD.
2. Is responsible for the formulation and periodic review of Lebanon strategy and, in collaboration with the Head of RDD, ensures its consistency with the organization’s global strategy;
3. Builds and strengthens strategic partnerships in the country through active participation in networks and coordination mechanisms, promotion of new networks and partnerships by enhancing the expertise of the organization;
4. Examines the risks and opportunities presented by PIP strategic positioning in the country and prepares appropriate responses to ensure sustainable projects and operations;
5. Contributes to the drafting of project proposals of its area of reference where required and in coordination with the Head of RDD, Global Head of Programmes and HQ Programme Manager (if applicable);
6. Strengthens relationships with institutional donors in the country enhancing PIP expertise and achievements over time;
7. Identifies and develops funding opportunities with new donors present locally and internationally in collaboration with the Head of RDD, Global Head of Programmes and HQ Programme Manager (if applicable).
8. Reports on the performance to Head of Relief and Development Department;
9. Sets priorities, in consultation with the Head of RRDD, for targeted investments in growth and innovation at the local level;

Program Management

1. In collaboration with the Programme Manager, Project Manager/s and local partners, ensures that projects implemented in-country are in line and consistent with the organization’s country strategy, have high-quality standards, and achieve their objectives;
2. Coordinates the established consortia and leads the project implementation
3. Is responsible for the monitoring visits in the field to ensure proper implementation of projects and the work of project managers and ensures that MEAL activities are conducted by partners and HQ (if relevant);
4. Reports periodically to the Head of RDD on the progress of the organization’s programs in the country.

Legal, Admin and Human Resources

1. With the support of HQ HR department responsible for in-country human resources and the recruitment of the local staff and supporting the recruitment of expatriate staff in accordance to available funding;
2. Proposes and updates the most effective in-country organizational chart, roles, and functions to carry out PIP activities in Lebanon in a logic of sustainability and enhancement of local human resources;
3. Ensures that the selection of staff locally is done in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner with the aim of finding the most competent and appropriate person for the required task;
4. Plans and monitors the approved annual budget with the support of HQ Finance Department;
5. Ensures a proper and safe documentation flow in Lebanon;
6. Is responsible for the registration process in Lebanon, and maintains frequent communication with contracted lawyers and/or fixers as well as respective Lebanese authorities.

Security

1. In close collaboration with the Security Coordinator supervises security coordination and ensures employee safety;
2. Maintains awareness of risks, develops crisis strategies, and oversees security planning;
3. Makes security related decision based on Security Coordinator/Team recommendations.

Performs any other tasks as required.

The successful candidate:

1. Has a higher education (master) suitable for the position in the field of International Relations, Development Studies, Political Studies or relevant;
2. Has 2 years of experience in humanitarian aid settings, preferable 1 years of experience on the similar position;
3. Previous experience in Middle East is an asset;
4. Has strong management and leadership skills;
5. Has experience working with institutional donors and in consortia;
6. Has ability to work under pressure;
7. Is fluent in written and spoken English (C1), knowledge of Arabic is an asset;
8. Has strong organizational skills;
9. Is diplomatic and has interpersonal and good communication skills;
10. Understands humanitarian operations principles, standards and best practices.
11. Has experience with proposal writing.

People in Peril offers:

1. Salary from 2 500 EUR gross/month based on your experience and People in Peril’s salary scale (for full time);
2. Housing allowance of 300 EUR/month;
3. Travel health insurance for Lebanon;
4. Opportunities for learning, trainings and capacity development;
5. 25 days of paid leave annually; additional 3 sick days;
6. Reimbursement of travel expenses with travel to the country of residence once per every 6 months of completed work;
7. Active participation in People in Peril growth and development as one of the biggest Slovakian humanitarian responders.