Regional Representative, MENA

Background

Interpeace is an international peacebuilding organisation that strengthens the ability of societies to manage conflict themselves in sustainable and non-violent ways. Interpeace designs and delivers its work tailored to each situation in partnership with local partners and communities, based on extensive consultation and research. Interpeace also ensures that the processes of conflict management and change that it supports are integrated at all levels of society including local communities, civil society, government and the international community (we call it a ‘Track 6’ approach).

Interpeace was originally established by the United Nations and remains its strategic partner. Beyond field-based peacebuilding, Interpeace also assists the international community – particularly the UN – to be more effective in supporting peacebuilding efforts worldwide. This includes contributing innovative thought leadership on peacebuilding policies and practices.

Interpeace is headquartered in Geneva and has offices around the world.

For more information about Interpeace, please visit www.interpeace.org

Position within the Organisation **

The Regional Representative for the MENA Region is a member of the Programme Management Unit which manages and implements all of Interpeace’s active and ongoing programmes around the world. The Programme Management Unit is led from the Headquarters office in Geneva, although team members are based in various locations including in East and Central Africa, West Africa, Europe and the MENA region.

The Regional Representative reports to the Senior Director of Programme Management and supervises Programme Managers and associated programmatic staff in the region.

The post also carries responsibilities associated with the Programme Development and Innovation Unit in which the person identifies and creates new programmes, projects and initiatives to advance Interpeace’s mandate and goals in the MENA Region, ensuring that new programmes have the potential to produce enduring and positive impact, meet the organisation’s high-quality standards, and are guided by internal strategic thinking as well as a deep connection to the local context.

As such, the Regional Representative for the MENA Region will draw on support from the Programme Management Unit as well as colleagues in the Programme Development Unit and Global Operations Unit based in Geneva.

The duties of the Regional Representative for MENA cover 5 areas:

1. Strategic Engagement

2. Programme Management

3. Programme Development

4. Representation

5. Management of Personnel and Resources

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic Engagement

• Supports the development and implementation of the MENA region strategy for Interpeace providing sound methodological and technical insight and support in line with the overall Progamme Management annual workplan and overarching 5-Year Strategy.

• Identifies ways to grow the portfolio and to maximize its impact

Programme Management

• Ensures all programmatic activity within the MENA region (especially the Libya and Yemen programmes) is managed to the pre-agreed programme budgets or allocation of funds in coordination with the financial authority for the programme.

• Oversees and coordinates the programme portfolio to ensure the highest level of project quality and accountability

• Coordinates the production of timely quality programme reports in line with Interpeace and donor requirements

• Ensure effective implementation and compliance with the finance and procurement manual and compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements

• Ensures timely forward-looking consideration and delivery of options to secure funding for extended programme work where relevant

• Provides timely and accurate reporting especially on strategic partnerships and management activities to senior colleagues in the Programme Management Unit

Programme Development

• Remain abreast of the political, social and economic contexts in countries of interest in the MENA region, identify potential Interpeace interventions in those contexts, and provide related briefings and recommendations.

• Monitor openings for funding, in particular from new and diverse sources, and advise Interpeace colleagues of relevant opportunities.

• Lead on the preparation of actor mapping aimed at improving Interpeace’s ability to develop new and innovative programming.

• Contribute to the drafting of new programme and other funding proposals, in coordination with other Interpeace colleagues, consultants and others as relevant.

• Produce preparatory and summary notes for country visits and meetings with stakeholders aimed at programme development and innovation in the region.

Representation – under the supervision of and in coordination with the Senior Director of Programme Management

• In coordination with the SDPM regularly engages with a network of contacts at Tracks One to Three, at country and regional level

• Represents Interpeace in strategic meetings, conferences, forums and other public events and promote the organization with the aim of consolidating and raising the profile of Interpeace in the MENA Region

• Engages local organizations and networks to develop and strengthen relationships and establish national and regional strategic relations and alliances with partners and civil society working in common cause with Interpeace objectives

• Build and develop relationships with key local donors and embassies for the purpose of advocating for Interpeace to strengthen fundraising for programmatic activities ensuring that programmes within the Libya and Yemen Programmes are funded for the future.

Management of Personnel and Resources

• Supervises and support the professional development of programme staff

• Creates an enabling work environment that fosters learning and innovation, where staff members can achieve their potential, demonstrating gender-responsive and non-discriminatory behavior and attitudes

• Monitors, evaluates and documents the individual performance of direct reports through a staff development lens

• Mentors and coaches staff members

• Is responsible for the financial health of the portfolio

• Delivers all activities and achievement of results in annual workplan for country/regional programme

Qualifications:

Education:

· Advanced degree in peace-related studies, social or political science or other relevant fields

Experience

· Seven years of experience in peacebuilding, political and/or developmental work with increasing management responsibility and in the MENA region

· Demonstrated effectiveness and substantial experience with short and long-term planning; financial, personnel and program management.

· Demonstrated experience in conflict resolution/Peacebuilding, advocacy, partnership management, proposal writing and programme management

Competencies

· In depth knowledge of the MENA region

· Advanced knowledge of current thinking on peacebuilding issues and methods; and demonstrable ability to anticipate emerging needs and integrate them swiftly into priority programme setting

· Developed ability strategically networking with government agencies, donors and other international agencies

· Well established and practiced organisational and planning skills; and extensive knowledge and experience of project cycle management including using project planning and management tools

· Good interpersonal skills; be a team player while being able to work independently and to meet set deadlines.

· Ability to work in a multi-cultural ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity

· Proven ability to communicate, negotiate and work with high level executives and government officials.

· Strong writing and communications skills in English and Arabic is required, proficiency in French is an asset.

Interpeace Competencies

o Collaboration and Weaving

o Communication

o Drive for results

o Adaptability and Continuous Learning

o Respect for Diversity

Success Factors:

· Strong commitment to supporting local peacebuilding initiatives and to the values and working principles of Interpeace

· Excellent social and inter-cultural skills, outstanding communication skills to a variety of stakeholders from different backgrounds

· Creative team player with a commitment to inclusiveness and consensus building

· Exceptional skills in coordinating complex and sensitive processes and designing participatory processes

· Balanced and calm personality with tact and a high adaptation capacity

· Identifies with and is committed to Interpeace’s core values and working principles

· A strategic manager who is accountable, leads by example, mentors and empowers a team and works to create work-life balance

Interpeace values diversity among its staff and aims at achieving greater gender parity in all levels of its work. We welcome applications from women and men, including those with disabilities.