Director of Programmes – HQ

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Director of Programmes

Code: SR-00-2693

Duty station: Rome or one of the INTERSOS Regional Hubs (Nairobi/Dakar/Amman)

Starting date: 15/01/2023

Contract duration: 4-year term (renewable) with 4 months of initial probation contract

Reporting to: Director General

Supervision of: Regional Offices, Technical Unit,Programmes Department staff under his/her direct supervision

Dependents: According to the country of assignment

General context of the project

INTERSOS is a humanitarian organisation founded in 1992, working on the frontlines of crisis situations. In its countries of operation, INTERSOS intervenes to assist the most vulnerable populations affected by conflicts, extreme poverty, natural and manmade disasters in challenging and hard-to-reach areas, where the humanitarian needs continue to be the greatest and where the humanitarian presence is often weak. In such contexts, INTERSOS focuses on providing forcibly displaced populations and host communities with life-saving humanitarian assistance, in the areas of Protection, Health & Nutrition, as well as WASH and Shelter.

INTERSOS operations are guided by its Charter of Values and by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. Every intervention is characterized by the centrality of the human being, the principle from which INTERSOS values descend. Specifically, INTERSOS is borderless, impartial, independent, sensitive to local cultures, attentive to local capacity, professional in solidarity, and transparent. INTERSOS also adheres to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

INTERSOS Programmes Department consists of four Regional Offices based in Amman, Dakar, Nairobi and Rome as well as an Emergency Unit. The Programmes Department also includes the Protection and Medical Units, which provide technical support to all INTERSOS programmes. As of July 2022, INTERSOS is operational in 23 Countries.

We recognize diversity as a core value for the Organization, in line with its fundamental principles. INTERSOS is therefore committed to creating an inclusive workplace environment that promotes diversity, equality and inclusion. INTERSOS encourages applications from qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds, regardless of age, gender identity, race, ethnic background, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or nationality.

General purpose of the position

By delegation of responsibilities and tasks by the Director General, the Director of Programmes (DoP) will provide strategic and operational management and leadership to all INTERSOS Regional Offices and field programmes, in line with INTERSOS Strategic Plan (ISP) 2022-24. Furthermore, the DoP will provide the Organisation with operational vision, as defined by INTERSOS Charter.

In particular, the role of the DoP will focus on:

• Actively contributing to the development and implementation of a multiyear programme strategy, and related priorities, especially in the sectors of Protection and Health & Nutrition;
• Managing the challenges and the risks of the Organisation in its countries of operation;
• Driving the enhancement of quality and relevance of INTERSOS operations; and
• Supporting the strengthening of accountability of INTERSOS programmes, particularly in relation to Accountability to Affected People (AAP).

In carrying out this role, the DoP will lead and be responsible for a department supporting over 3.500 field-based staff across 23 countries, with an annual portfolio of about € 100 million.

The DoP is a member of the Directors Team along with three other Directors (Communications & Fundraising, Finance, Human Resources), all reporting to the Director General.

Main responsibilities and tasks

Upon delegation by the Director General, the DoP will be responsible for the following tasks:

Operational management and support

• Leading the development and management of Regional Offices’ dynamic programmes portfolio, in line with the ISP 2022-24 and anchored in field realities;
• Ensuring strong Regional Offices’ management of country programmes, in line with approved programme objectives, timeframes and resources;
• Monitoring the capacities of Regional and Country offices to deliver agreed operational priorities, and coordinating the required support in line with available resources;
• Supporting organisational coherence by ensuring that Regional and Country Offices are aligned with organisational strategic directions;
• Ensuring that the Programmes Department Annual Action Plan is sound, comprehensive, realistic, and elaborated in a timely manner;
• Responding to new humanitarian developments and crises by initiating feasibility/exploratory fact-finding deployment missions;
• Participating in the development and improvement of policies, processes, guidelines, and reference documents related to the management of Programmes;
• Supporting Regional Offices in forging and building operational partnerships with INGOs and local organisations;
• Supporting Regional Offices in operational preparedness capacities and processes, to enable timely and appropriate responses to new and emerging priorities in their areas of intervention.

Risk management:

Within the limits of the delegated authority by the Director General,

• Regular monitoring, evaluation, and mitigation of operational risk exposure;
• Regular discussion of new operational risk management developments with the Director General in order to mitigate and prevent risks for both the staff and the Organisation in the countries of operation, as well as to mobilise organisational response to serious risk events;
• Ensuring that the Director General is informed in a timely manner of any critical incident and participates in the Critical Incident Management Team.

Strategic support:

• Leading discussions on operational strategies of interventions, operational models, and support functions;
• Proactively contributing to the broader reflection on INTERSOS organisational evolution;
• As a member of the Directors Team, contributing to the definition of the overall strategy of the Organisation;
• Playing a key role in information sharing, and encouraging reflection and debate around programmatic stakes.

Accountability:

• Launching regular evaluations and critical reviews of field projects and operational approaches;
• Ensuring Regional Offices prepare quality proposals and deliver quality and timely reporting and updates, in line with grant requirements and compliance issues;​

Required profile and experience

Education

Academic degree or extensive applied background in humanitarian and/or development studies, social science or other relevant qualifications. Post graduate qualifications is an advantage​

Professional Experience

Minimum of 10 years’ experience in the field of humanitarian aid, with significant field experience as HoM and/or Programmes Management at HQ level.

Professional Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in the field of humanitarian aid, with significant field experience as HoM and/or Programmes Management at HQ level
• Willingness and availability to travel frequently, as mobility between headquarters and field projects is vital
• Adherence to INTERSOS principles and managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust, Empowerment
• Adherence to INTERSOS Code of Ethics.

Languages

Fluency in English and French is essential; other languages are an asset​

Personal Requirements

• Analytical approach, strategic thinking that translates into concrete operational implementation;
• Demonstrated leadership skills ;
• A team player with strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive relationships;
• Excellent people management skills;
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written);
• Dynamic and proactive, as well as solution oriented approach, with a strong focus on innovation;