Programmes Director

About Bahar:

Bahar Organization is an independent non-profit and non-governmental organization that provides humanitarian aid to vulnerable people without any discrimination in all its forms. BO is operating to respond to the needs and basic requirements of the humanitarian crisis in Syria in the middle of the affected communities caused by the conflict the basic principles of BO’s activities are to enhance the basic living standards of the affected population by delivering humanitarian aid based on the needs.

Job Description

Purpose of Position

Programmes Director (PD) is a key member of Bahar’s Senior Management Team and is responsible for maintaining good working relationships with host government officials, donors and other partners. The Programmes Director will lead strategic programmes planning to promote a programmes approach that builds synergy between various relief and development initiatives. In addition, the PD will help to mobilise resources and funding, with current and potential opportunities, to ensure Bahar responds effectively to the emergencies where it operates.

The PD is responsible for overseeing the development of coherent programmes strategies. The Programmes Director manages a team of professionals focused on the design, funding, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of multi-donor, multi-sector programmes that should effectively address the dire needs. The PD will directly oversee all projects being carried out in the field to ensure high quality implementation, compliance with donor and contract requirements and best practices. Therefore, the PD must also ensure that systems and people are in place to ensure the effective management of projects and programmes.

Main responsibilities

Dimensions

Result expected

Strategy

• Provide overall guidance and direction to the program on achieving agreed targets and strategic objectives;
• Develop and implement long-term goals and objectives to achieve the successful outcome of the program portfolio;
• Develop new programmatic initiatives to support the strategic direction of the organization;
• Actively participate in the SMT, and take all necessary decisions in the area of responsibility that enable the Executive Director to perform the assigned tasks and implement plans as agreed with the Board of Directors.
• Ensure plans for Programmes have been derived from the Organisation’s strategy with clear, measurable short-term and long-term targets.
• Submit monthly reports to the Executive Director and discuss the same in periodic meetings.
• Strategies, plans, regular reporting for information and necessary action by the Executive Director are addressed on a regular, timely basis.

Leadership and Management of the Programmes Department

• Promote Bahar’s Mission, Vision, Values and key Standards and Practices among the staff and partners in the area of responsibility, ensuring these are the foundation of Bahar’s strategies and work.
• Ensure capable staff aligned with Bahar’s values are available to implement the Organisation’s strategy and operational plans.
• Advise Executive Director as appropriate and management succession plans that ensure that proper capacity is in place.
• Promote and participate in leadership development initiatives.
• Supervise direct reports in a way that facilitates a high – performance culture, open trustworthy relationships, and integrity.
• Ensure implementation and compliance of Bahar’s staff Performance Management guidelines and policies.
• Support initiatives for Duty of Care and well-being, both for local and international employees.
• Respect, value and promote gender, age, religious and ethnic diversity.

Oversight of Field Programming (with Program Coordinators)

• Monitor progress of individual projects regarding workplans, budget burn rate, activity sites, satisfaction of beneficiaries and provide to Programmes.
• As part of field monitoring, assess how the support functions and MEAL are working together on implementation for efficient and effective functioning, and report results back to relevant departments and the Executive Director in HQ.
• Monitor compliance with the expectations of Bahar, donors and other local stakeholders on the field implementation of the current projects.
• Meet with existing donors to get feedback on Bahar’s performance.
• Meet with local authorities during visits to strengthen and improve relations.
• Conduct capacity building for staff on management, updates and clarification of Bahar policies and changes in structure.
• Monitor field level security assessments for new project areas.
• Conduct exit meeting for all staff at the end of field visits.
• Appropriate liaison is conducted with stakeholders in Bahar’s work, leading to improved relations, understanding and cooperation.

Staff capacity is enhanced and improved, demonstrated by improved performance.

Coordination and external representation

• Attend meetings with organizations and stakeholders as required and as assigned by the ED;
• Participate in sector coordination groups, clusters, etc. and identify areas for coordination and collaboration;
• Keep close relationship with Bahar donors in country and ensure regular program exchange and sharing of context and program related analysis;
• Ensure effective advocacy to respond to identified humanitarian needs;
• Maintain effective communication and updating on program activities with ED and other department heads and regional team;
• Perform other duties as needed and assigned by the ED,

Qualifications

Academic Education

• Master’s Degree in a relevant discipline.

Experience:

• Ten years minimum in a senior leadership position in international organisations.
• Experience in working with key humanitarian donors, i.e. ECHO, USAID/OFDA, UN agencies;

Skills and Capabilities

• Full alignment with Bahar’s Mission, Vision and Values.
• English language (both written and spoken) fluency
• Leadership and Supervision ability.
• MS-Office Suite proficiency.
• Ability to set goals.
• Ability to plan effective effectively.
• Leadership and dispute resolving.
• Negotiation skills.
• Communication skills.
• Coordination and tasks assigning skills.
• Financial management skills.
• Organized and able to independently manage multiple projects under strict deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, public speaking, and strategic planning skills required;
• Excellent written and spoken English; ability to draft high quality proposals as well as reports and analysis;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including patience, diplomacy, willingness to listen and respect for colleagues;
• Good analytical and detail oriented problem-solving skills; Ability to think critically and creatively;

Work environment and conditions

• Willingness to work in a location different from that stated in the contract.
• Willingness to work for extra hours as necessary.
• Willingness to travel inside and outside the country.
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relations with host country government personnel, stakeholders, partners, international donor agencies and colleagues;
• Must be capable of working both individually and as part of a team;
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, stressful environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work and manage across multi-functional units
• Cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Must be flexible, willing to perform other duties and work irregular hours.

Evaluation Criteria

• Periodic reports submitted to the Bahar Executive Director.
• Monitoring and Evaluation process carried out by the Executive Director.

Safeguarding & Ethics:

Bahar is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to the Bahar Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.