Lebanon – Head of Mission At COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale

COOPI is looking for a Head of Mission in Lebanon

COOPI started operating and developing humanitarian projects in South Lebanon during the years 2003-2005, then, since 2013, in Northern Lebanon, by supporting most basic and pressing needs of refugees and vulnerable host communities through a multi-sector and integrated approach. The impact of ongoing economic crisis and the COVID-19 outbreak continue to aggravate the loss of jobs and livelihoods amongst refugees and host communities. Before the recent crisis, Lebanon was already the country which host the highest number of refugees per capita, influx that has put a huge burden on national resources and has significantly increased the need of humanitarian support in the country. COOPI assists communities mainly by providing water, sanitation and hygiene assistance, shelter, multi-purpose cash assistance and education support. The projects are funded by COOPI Suisse, AICS, UE.

Description of the role

The Head of Mission (HoM) provides leadership and strategic direction of COOPI’s operations in the country in collaboration with the Regional Coordinator, and is responsible for the implementation and development of the country programme in line with COOPI’s organisational and country strategy, policies and procedures. The HoM is also responsible for the management and capacity building of the staff, securing donor funding and to represent the organisation to the government, donors, and other appropriate bodies – including clusters, UN agencies and the media.

Main responsibilities

Organization and management

• Strategy and planning: verify and proposes to the Regional Coordinator the intervention priorities to consolidate the organization’s opportunity to be more involved in the country. Contributes to the definition of the Country Strategy
• Programme extension: coordinate the elaboration, writing and documents’ preparation for presenting new projects
• Programme Coordination: maintain and lead the relation with international partners and local stakeholders in projects consortia, particularly EU funded SWaM program and related projects. Manage through program staff EU projects and supervise the SWAM program
• Visibility: cooperate with the Communication and Fund-Raising office for all communication, awareness and fund-raising activities implemented in and for the country
• Procedures: coordinate and monitor the projects, guaranteeing the correct implementation in conformity with the contractual obligations and donors’ procedures, and in line with COOPI’s procedures and management standards

Administration and finance

• Economic and financial management: is responsible for the country’s economic result. Supervises the financial management in collaboration with the Country Administrator and ensure – through the administrative function – that all financial reporting deadlines and donor/COOPI’s procedures are respected. Participates to the projects/coordination budget preparation. Has the signature for all COOPI’s bank accounts in the country

Logistics

• Country office management: is responsible for all different aspects related to the country office management, such as economic and financial situation, local regulations, office organization charts, logistics, local and expatriate personnel management, in conformity with the organization’s guidelines. Guarantees the respect of the country’s legislation and administrative regulation

Safety and Security

• Staff security: is responsible for the expatriate staff security, for the correct implementation and respect of the general security rules

Human resources

• Staff management: is responsible for the local staff management. Participates and supports the Regional Coordinator and the Human Resources office in the selection of the expatriate staff. Coordinates and monitors the country’s expatriate staff management

Reporting

• Is responsible to supervise the preparation of projects reports and all the monitoring documents requested
• Ensures the transmission of all official and administrative project documents to the central headquarters

Institutional relations

• Manages relations with the main institutional donors for the ongoing projects. Represents COOPI in the country/area by engaging in relations with institutions, NGOs, local and international organizations and partners to guarantee the quality implementation of the projects. Is responsible of the organization’s reputation in country

Requirements

Essentials

• University degree in relevant subjects
• A minimum of five years of relevant working experience is required
• At least three years of demonstrated successful experience in international relief and development in a similar position is required
• Experience of working on more among the following donors AICS, EU, ECHO, USAID and UN agencies
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication, negotiation skills, multi-tasking and organizational skills
• Experience in liaising with governmental/local authorities, IOs and NGOs
• Demonstrated ability to work in stressful environments and under pressure
• Proven capacity in managing a team is essential
• Fluency in English language
• Computer literate

DESIRED

• Experience in logistics, procurement and security matters is a strong advantage
• Previous work experience in Lebanon is a plus
• Experience in managing complex consortium/partnerships is an advantage

We reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the application closing date, once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Please note that only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled, thanks for understanding.

COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian secular and independent humanitarian organisation fighting against all forms of poverty to improve the world. Founded in 1965, today COOPI is present in 33 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East, with both emergency and development projects carried out by expatriate staff – an average of over 270 people per year – and national staff. The main institutional funders are the European Union – ECHO and INTPA – USAID, UN agencies, the Italian Government, local authorities and other European Governments.