Deputy Country Director

Role & Responsibilities

The Deputy Country Director (DCD) will work alongside the Country Director and their counterpart DCD to focus on the quality and development of the programming to facilitate the implementation of the country strategy. The DCD will provide leadership, strategic direction, management and evaluation of all aspects of the Medair programmes. The DCD plays a key role in external representation, programme coordination, programme development, systems development, team culture, quality improvements and team leadership.

Project Overview

The Lebanon programme is responding both to the Syrian refugee crisis and the impact of the deteriorating economic and humanitarian crisis across the country on Lebanese. Medair has projects in Health, Mental Health & Psychosocial Support, Shelter, Basic Assistance and GIS Mapping, working in governorates across the country.

Workplace & Working conditions

Field based position in Lebanon, overseeing programmes across the country.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

October 2023. Full time, 24 months.

Key Activity Areas

Programme Leadership

• Deputise for the Country Director in his / her absence.
• As part of Senior Leadership team, actively shape, participate and contribute to development and review of Lebanon Strategy.
• Contribute and support the design and development of proposals and reports for respective projects.

Programme Oversight

• Oversee programme implementation in consultation with relevant senior field managers and in accordance with project proposals, ensure objectives are met within the required time frames and budgets. Where necessary ensure preventative and corrective action is taken.
• Facilitate cross-cutting communications with all country teams implementing and supporting programme plans.
• Prepare and implement policies, procedures and guidelines, as appropriate and with the relevant field managers and GSO staff, so as to enhance smooth running of programmes through standardised procedures and improved support.
• Manage a comprehensive activity plan for the programme, including resource needs analysis, covering the time frames of the project proposals.
• Ensure that all elements of the Project Cycle Management are incorporated into programming, including evidence-based needs assessment and design.
• Ensure that Information Management and MEAL systems are functioning effectively and are integrated into programme design.
• Ensure that Accountability and other key topics are mainstreamed into programme design and implementation.
• Develop relationships and partnerships with other agencies to develop value-add programming.
• Represent Medair at relevant national and local meetings with government officials, UN agencies, contractors, other NGOs, etc., reporting back as applicable to staff, field managers and GSO.

Operations Management

• Supervise budget development, management, reporting and expenditure, in collaboration with field managers and GSO staff, ensuring budgets are spent according to donor proposals and regulations.
• Liaise with Support Managers to support field managers in all aspects of finance, administrative, human resource and logistics management, ensuring knowledge of and adherence to applicable operational systems, donor requirements and country programme strategy.
• Monitor the security status of the area(s) of operation on a regular basis, liaising as appropriate, with the NGO Forum, other NGOs, the UN, local authorities or other relevant security bodies,
• Ensure that programme staff are incorporating good security procedures into their activities. Together with the CD, ensure all staff members and all visitors receive appropriate briefings and on-going training in security-related topics.

Quality Management

• Review, develop and implement systems to improve transparency and to detect and ultimately prevent loss or fraud.
• Develop a learning environment, and ensure that feedback is elicited from communities and is acted upon to improve the quality of programming.
• Maintain a focus on Impact and continuous improvement.
• Ensure country programmes are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards e.g. Sphere and CHS standards, WHO recommendations, etc.

Staff Management

• Line manage designated staff, including direct supervision and development.
• Lead with other senior management the development of a positive, supportive and encouraging team culture.
• Facilitate regular team meetings and develop and build an effective team through a consultative leadership style and a transparent, honest and supportive communication structure.
• Develop direct reports to improve their skills, knowledge competence and performance.
• Support line managers across the programme to develop stronger people management skills through development of good staff management processes, training and coaching.

Communication

• Develop and maintain a transparent, honest and supportive communication structure with colleagues to ensure they are kept informed of support related activities and requirements.
• Support teams across the programme to have positive and open communication channels, addressing issues in a fair, respectful and effective way.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with suppliers, local authorities, other NGOs and any other stakeholders, representing Medair and ensuring good co-operation and partnerships.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant subject such as Management / Development Studies / Business Administration or in a relevant technical subject.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Experience

• 5-years post-qualification experience in a management position.
• 3-years post-qualification experience in a complex humanitarian emergency.
• Able to develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Humanitarian Essentials, Sphere, CHS and other international humanitarian guidelines.
• Advanced planning, assessment and analytical skills. Experience in training/mentoring staff.
• Coaching and training skills. Good understanding of cross-cultural issues.
• Excellent communicator. Problem solving ability. Good inter-personal and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong organisational and time management skills. Good numerical and report writing skills.
• Dynamic and mature personality, able to oversee multiple tasks, prioritising and delegating as required. Advanced leadership and management skills; ability to build trust and enforce procedures.
• Team-player with good inter-personal skills; committed to team-building. Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels.

All new deploying international staff to Medair’s country programmes (and other roles which require field travel) should be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved COVID vaccine, supported with a COVID vaccination certificate as evidence.