Social and Behaviour Change Programme Director – Middle East

Location: Based in Amman, Jordan, with frequent travel (30% of time) across the Middle East, include GCC and the Levant (including to conflict and post-conflict territories)

Reporting Manager: Director of Programmes

Direct report: 5-8 employees

Start date: December 2022

Remuneration: $6,100 – $7,200 per month depending on level of experience and qualifications, plus benefits

MAGENTA is a leading Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) Research and Communications agency that specialises in understanding human decision-making processes in order to design communications solutions for positive change in fragile and development settings. We implement programmes across the Middle East, Middle East, Asia and Latin America, using the latest in behavioural science principles and a rigorous approach to research, strategy, campaign design and implementation.

Our client base includes UN agencies, INGOs, governments and the private sector. We aim to amplify the voices of local actors while bringing international expertise and methodological rigour. To do so, we partner with civil society, creative agencies, media and academics to design innovative, relevant and impactful solutions to some of the most challenging problems of our time. Whether we are aiming to shift parenting practices to improve children’s outcomes or to understand how social norms underpin corruption, we always go the extra mile to ensure we can create positive impact for some of the most underserved populations in the world.

MAGENTA’s Middle East team works across six countries currently (Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Syria and Yemen). Projects include research, strategy development, SBC interventions implementation (including capacity building, tools development and communications campaigns), and evaluation.

We are looking for an exceptional individual, and SBC expert, driven by a keen desire to deliver social impact and who thrive in a fast-paced environment. The Middle East Programme Director is responsible for both the technical performance of the Middle East team, ensuring quality assurance of all deliverable and leading the development of new programmes in the region. Qualified candidates will be bold, curious and rigorous. The position will be based in our Amman office, with regular travel regionally.

The Middle East Programme Director will be responsible for (1) programme development and strategic partnership (2) SBC programme strategy and design, and (3) quality assurance on programme implementation (4) team management.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities of Programme Directors include:

Programme Development

• Develop and maintain strong relationships and positioning with clients and strategic partners in Middle East
• Lead the design and development of innovative SBC programmes, building of MAGENTA’s programming in the Middle East and globally
• Deliver successful client pitches
• Represent MAGENTA at conferences and events

Programme Implementation

• Responsible for quality assurance of programme implementation from a technical and operational perspective
• Responsible for planning and timely implementation of MAGENTA SBC programmes across Middle East
• Identify technical services (incl. research, creative, etc.) to support the Middle East team

Strategy & capacity strengthening

• Leading and guiding the development of SBC strategies and interventions across MAGENTA Middle East programmes
• Ensuring the Middle East team integrates SBC principles from behavioural science, behavioural economics, social sciences, anthropology, psychology and sociology
• Facilitate brainstorming and design workshops
• Design and deliver tailored training on SBC as part of MAGENTA Academy

People and culture

• Management of a growing multi-cultural team spread across countries;
• Fostering a creative and solutions-oriented team culture with ownership and accountability;
• Creating and sustaining a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence;
• Growing and mentoring the Middle East team, including performance management and hiring;
• Providing team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives

REQUIREMENTS & COMPETENCIES

Education

• Degree from a top tier university required; Masters preferred.

Experience

• 6 to 8 years professional experience in the development sector, preferably with a focus on SBC/ Communications for Development (C4D) or research, and at least 3 years of experience managing a multi-cultural and results-driven team;
• Substantial knowledge of the international development and/or humanitarian system, institution and donors, and of compliance requirements, experience working with the UN strongly desired;
• Robust experience in designing, operationalising, implementing and evaluation development interventions;
• Ability to work effectively, respectfully and successfully with governments, clients, partners and other stakeholders in complex settings;
• Demonstrated expertise in representation and negotiation resulting in securing significant new opportunities for MAGENTA;
• Knowledge of and experience living in one of MAGENTA’s country of operations in Middle East strongly desired;
• Excellent written and spoken English, regional language proficiency is a plus;
• Technological fluency

Strategic thinking

• A high-level strategic thinker, with a keen desire to learn and consume new information;
• Robust logic chain analytics and strong general analytical skills;
• Ability to simplify complex information and to comfortably navigate ambiguity

Leadership

• Ability to provide a clear vision of the organisation’s objectives and values;
• Demonstrated ability to develop others;
• Excellent communicator able to manage conflicts and guide team through change;
• A service-oriented leader, able to recognise and meet client needs;
• Ability to multi-task and manage competing priorities;
• Demonstrated desire for excellence and an ability to inspire others to attain professional excellence;

Commercial acumen

• Strong commercial acumen;
• Robust understanding of corporate key performance indicators;
• Demonstrated experience successfully leading organisational growth;

Culture

• Willingness to live, work and travel in developing/post-crisis settings;
• Good sense of humour, personable and demonstrated ability to build networks;
• Entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to get hands dirty;

Language

• Fluent English required with excellent writing skills. Arabic is also encouraged.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• MAGENTA has a flexible working policy which promotes periods of remote working in the year
• May involve working in regions that are remote and lack basic modern infrastructure (such as Country)

MAGENTA is committed to creating a diverse work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.