Deputy Country Manager – LEBANON At Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion

Handicap International/Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is an independent and impartial international solidarity organization, which intervenes in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflicts and disasters. Working alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, it acts and speaks out to meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. More info: www.hi.org

At Handicap International-Humanity & Inclusion, we truly believe in the importance of inclusion and diversity within our organisation. This is why we are engaged to a disability policy to encourage the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities.

Please indicate if you require any special accommodation, even at the first interview.

JOB CONTEXT:

The Lebanon mission is part of the Mashriq regional programme, which covers Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. With a staff of around 50 in Lebanon, HI has been implementing a mix of humanitarian, development and mine action projects, with sectors of activity including inclusive education, physical rehabilitation, armed violence reduction (mine action), emergency preparedness, disability mainstreaming/inclusion in humanitarian action.

The current slow onset escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon might potentially lead to full war within some weeks/months, as no solution is found for a ceasefire. HI has secured one emergency preparedness grants to be implemented in the next 6 months and will start in parallel some small-scale emergency activities for IDPs. These activities are substantially increasing the workload on the CM in terms of security management, representation, and operational coordination.

YOUR MISSION:

Under the line management and upon delegation of the Lebanon Country Manager, the Deputy Country Manager will be responsible for

Ensuring continuity of operational management during absences/gaps of the Operation Manager and/or the Country Manager, and the timely launch of new emergency projects.
Supporting the quality implementation of the operations in Lebanon;
Ensuring the monitoring of operations in the country and compliance with HI operational policies and frameworks.
When delegated by the Country Manager, ensuring external representation and manage communication and/or advocacy actions
Ensuring the timeliness and quality of concept notes, project proposals and operational reports

In this context, the Deputy Country Manager’s responsibilities are the following:

Responsibility 1: Management

Replaces OM and/or Country Manager during his/her absence or ensures gap filling (as per standard OM Job Description, or formal delegation from Country Manager)
Acts as PM during the inception phase of any emergency preparedness or emergency response project/sector, until the recruitment of a PM, when delegated by the Country Manager (as per standard PM Job Description)

Responsibility 2: Contribution to the mission’s operational strategy and HI frameworks & regulations

Contributes to the development of the programme’s operational strategy, and its implementation and annual monitoring, in liaison with Country Manager.
Size and plan necessary resources, support the recruitment of emergency project managers (ensuring a fit between skills and the projects’ challenges and ambitions),
Designs and implements needs assessments and sectorial analysis
Contributes to the fundraising strategy defined in the programme’s operational strategy:
Identifies and transforms specific funding opportunities in the country, conducts the design and drafting of new projects (country scope) and contributes to the design, drafting and fundraising of major multi-country projects (under the responsibility of the Technical Head of Programs (THoP)).
Develops regular contacts with specific donors delegated by the Country Manager at field level, in coherency with overall programming and fundraising strategy.
When delegated by the Country Manager, in liaison with the THoP, identifies and develops local partnerships and/or consortia with NGOs, institutions and companies for emergency projects.
Ensures monitoring of projects in the mission, through the facilitation of internal operational audits and monitoring field visits
Reviews donor reports and coordinates the submission to donors

Responsibility 3: Representation

When delegated by the Country Manager, he/she acts as representative in the country for the whole of HI, both internally and externally, and promotes the excellent reputation and positive image of HI. This can include:

Communications and advocacy actions on behalf of HI, in liaison with the Regional Advocacy Advisor and the Regional Communications Senior Officer
Representation of HI vis à vis pre-defined local, national, traditional, political, military and diplomatic authorities and bodies, as per the delegation by the Country Manager.
Representation of HI vis à vis pre-defined international organizations and coordination mechanisms & systems, as per the delegation by the Country Manager.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION:

Lebanon is experiencing a political, economic and social crisis since October 2019 and the levels of criminality and the risk of thefts have increased. In addition, the new conflict in Gaza has caused a series of demonstrations and temporary street closures in different cities, and the slow onset escalation between Israel and Hezbollah has considerably worsened the security in border communities of southern Lebanon. The Lebanese remain a very welcoming people and life for foreigners remains relatively comfortable, with some possibilities for internal tourism and recreational activities.

The security for NGO workers in the country is however still relatively good and professional and life conditions are still permissive.

There are planned power cuts during some hours of the day and the night. There are sometimes roadblocks or traffic jams that slow down or block traffic on main roads. You should exercise minimum standards of respect and adaptation to the local culture and traditions.

YOUR PROFILE:

You have a bachelor’s degree in social sciences, public health, humanitarian action, project management, or other relevant field.
You have at least 4 years of experience as project, program or area manager with an INGO, and 2 years of experience in emergency responses in conflict situations.
You master proposal writing and show very good reporting skills.
You have a positive personality, with strong communication skills, adaptability and flexibility.
You are able to anticipate and work under pressure.