Country Manager at Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion

“Outraged by the injustice faced by people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, we aspire to a world of solidarity and inclusion, enriched by our differences, where everyone can live in dignity”

Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is an independent and impartial aid and development organisation with no religious or political affiliations operating in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable people to help meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

Since the organisation was first founded in 1982, we have set up development programmes in more than 60 countries and responded to many emergencies. Today we have a budget of around 150 million euros, with 3500 employees worldwide.

HI is engaged in an employment policy in favour of disabled workers.

For further information about the association: www.hi.org.

JOB CONTEXT :

The Libyan uprising nine years ago left the country in a state of turmoil. Since 2011, continued conflict in many parts of the country and political instability have resulted in a vacuum of effective governance and caused significant collapse in the country’s political-institutional system. While the political situation and peace process seems to be on a better path, security, rule of law and social and economic well-being of the Libyan population have all been severely affected by years of conflict and over 400,000 persons are now internally displaced across the country. The resilience of the Libyan population is steadily reducing, as individuals and communities are facing uncertainty regarding their future, with a very limited capacity of the authorities and relevant institutions to respond to their needs. This combination of factors results in protracted psychosocial distress, loss of perspective and resilience, and eventually increases mental health disorders amongst individuals – which in turn affects the community as a whole.

The healthcare system in Libya is one of the hardest hit, having deteriorated to the point of collapse. Ongoing challenges include increased rates of chronic illness, disability and access to essential services such as medicine and rehabilitation. Hospitals struggle to absorb the number of patients and to cope with a lack of resources, including a shortage of staff and essential medicines and supplies. According to the World Health Organization, around 1.3 million people have no access to life-saving health care services. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the already existing vulnerability of the Libyan population, adding up to the effects from years of conflict, and a collapsing healthcare system.

In addition, while Libya already faced high Explosive Ordnance (EO) contamination due to nine years of conflict, EO contamination in the greater Tripoli area and in Sirt has increased considerably since the LNA offensive in April 2019 and the counter offensive of GNA in March 2020. Meanwhile, most humanitarian mine action operations were suspended in areas affected by the hostilities in the second quarter of 2019. Indiscriminate shelling, EO left by the various forces involved in the conflict, and the increased use of improvised explosive devices caused new displacements, a new layer of land contamination, and a rise in EO related accidents, killing and injuring civilians and non-civilians, including mine clearance and humanitarian workers. In contaminated areas, local populations, internally displaced persons and returning populations are all at risk of death and injury.

The identification of the most vulnerable individuals, including people with disabilities or injuries, and the rapid response to essential needs is a priority for the humanitarian community working throughout Libya. The political conflict and humanitarian crisis is likely to continue throughout the year 2020; whilst at the same time continue to hamper the delivery of primarily medical and socio-economic services, complicating access and increasing the vulnerability of the general population.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

HI is currently implementing several programmes in Tripoli, Misrata and Benghazi, supporting vulnerable persons and their families such as people with disabilities (including people living with mental health problems), people with chronic diseases, older persons, displaced persons and families, migrants and refugees. Activities include provision of comprehensive rehabilitation services including physical therapy and psychosocial support, provision of assistive & mobility devices as per needed; capacity building, technical support and donations of assistive devices and/or materials and equipment to health partners; training on inclusion principles to other humanitarian actors and health workers;

Since early 2019 HI is implementing a three-year project entitled ‘Action for Mental Health Assistance in Libya’ (AMAL) as part of wider initiatives to improve the access and quality of health care services in Libya. Implemented in partnership with the Libyan Ministry of Health and a Tunisian NGO, the overall objective of the project is to allow the most vulnerable people in Libya from host communities, those internally displaced and returnees and migrants, suffering from mental health disorders/psychosocial disabilities to regain or to preserve good mental health by accessing quality interventions at community level, primary health care level, and secondary and tertiary level.

From July 2020, HI also started a one-year project in partnership with UNDP, which aims to enhance the development of a culture of peace, cooperation and responsibility – with a focus on youth (male and female) – through improved provision of MHPSS services at community level. This project will strongly rely on Libyan Civil Society Organisations.

HI is also involved in Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) activities, HI supports the Libyan Mine Action Centre (LibMAC), UNMAS and other ministries in developing a victim assistance strategy and action plan. Given the recent events and increase in EO related accidents, HI also seeks to resume quickly EORE activities in greater Tripoli and has developed several proposals in this regard.

The post holder will be based in Tripoli – Libya, including traveling between operational bases in Tripoli, Misrata and Benghazi, along with other national or international staff, and travelling to Tunis for Coordination meetings with the Regional Team and visas renewals. Presence and access to the country can be impaired time to time by security problems, administrative matters (visas, authorisations) and specific restriction in relation with COVID-19 pandemic, Tunisia will be at that time the place of retreat.

YOUR MISSION:

Reporting to the Regional Director for Morocco – Tunisia – Libya, the Country Manager Libya contributes to the implementation of Humanity & Inclusion’s mandate and 10-year strategy within his/her geographical scope. He/she ensures the optimal quality and impact of the projects implemented in his/her country by means of a delegation system with appropriate control mechanisms. With all HI Directors and through paradigm changes, he/she shares responsibility for the sound management and effective functioning of the global organisation.

Specific objectives of this position will be to reinforce & maintain a real team working spirit, stabilize mission steering processes, ensure and follow up the operational implementation & the respect of different deadlines and donor’s procedures, ensure good team working between the different services (operational, HR, Finance, Logistic & security) and secure additional mid or longer term funding.

· The Country Manager is the legal representative in the country for the whole of HI, both internally and externally, and promotes the excellent reputation and positive image of HI.

· He/she is responsible for developing and implementing the operational/programming part of the Regional strategy for the country in which he/she is based

· He/she contributes to organisational transformation in line with the Simplification, Shared Services and ROOTS projects. In the event of an emergency, he/she takes responsibility in accordance with the response framework defined.

· Under the guidance of the Regional Support Service managers (& in the future Regional Technical Unit & Meal Unit), and deploying all appropriate tools, he/she ensures the monitoring of operations in the country, as well as financial control, compliance with HI policies and frameworks (in particular HI Project Monitoring & Evaluation policy) and respect of contractual engagements towards donors.

· He/she actively monitors and analyses developments in the context in his/her geographical area in order to identify risks and opportunities, and proposes actions to the Regional Director.**

MAIN CHALLENGES OF THE POSITION

• Stabilise presence on the field of the expatriate team with regular missions to work in proximity with the Libyan team in a volatile security context (in progress but still changing)
• Ensure and follow up the operational implementation & the respect of different deadlines and donor’s procedures
• Ensure good team working between the different services (operational, HR, Finance, Logistic & security) to optimize funds regarding to operational challenges; ensure the reinforcement of their technical capacities
• Ensure transition from emergency funding’s (short term) to development funding’s (mid or long term)
• Strengthen the governance & management of the mission (decisions, team guidance, interdepartmental collaboration)
• Work in close collaboration with the regional team and clarify the roles & responsibilities of Region/Country mission in our internal ROOTS environment.

YOUR PROFILE :

· You hold a Master degree in related field (political sciences, humanitarian work)

· You have More than 7 years working experience as humanitarian worker with progressive increase in responsibilities. Proven experience in operational management (including budgeting analysis & resource planning) and team management. Experience in risk & security management

· You have at least 4 years working experience-managing teams, particularly in generalist positions (Project Manager, Area Manager, Country Manager) Management skills (with a strong emphasis on delegation). You know how to manager a multi-cultural and multi-sector teams, on-site and remotely

· You have proven written and oral communication skills in English & oral communication in French

· You master context analysis (geopolitics, environment, relations) and ethical positioning

· You know how to lead negotiation and representation (internally and externally), networking and fundraising

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION :

Even if the political & security situation is becoming more “stable” since beginning of 2021, Libya’s security is fluctuating and can change again to violent conflict erupting at any moment. New elected government is recently in place and has the mandate to prepare the national presidential elections planned in December 2021.

International staff will be based in Tripoli and accommodated in a compound composing a shared guest house/office with other expatriates and should expect isolated living conditions with movement restrictions and a curfew in place. Very limited opportunities exist for socializing however a number of other expatriates from other NGOs are also based in Tripoli.

The position include also travels between operational bases in Tripoli, Misrata and Benghazi, along with other international staff. When in Tunis, accommodation is in HI’s shared Guest House.

CONDITIONS:

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission. Particular attention is paid to health issues and your personal situation.
We offer an induction and training path adapted to our staff members and we have a HR policy oriented toward mobility and professional development.

· 24 months International contract starting from 15th October 2021

· The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:**

o Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals**

o Pension scheme adapted to the situation of our employees: If you already have a personal pension scheme HI will contribute at the same level of your personal monthly contribution with a maximum of 272.53€/month ; If you do not have a personal pension scheme, we will open a private pension account with your contribution of 272.53€/month and a contribution of HI of the same amount**

o Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution **

o Repatriation insurance paid by HI**

· Salary from 2972 € gross/month upon experience

· Perdiem : 693 € net/month – paid in the field

· Hardship : 500 € net/month paid with your salary

· Paid leaves : 25 days per year;

· R&R : R&R: 5 days every 6 weeks. Obligation to leave the site during R&R and payment of transport costs by HI (limited), Guest House available in Tunis.

· Position: unaccompanied Payment for travel costs (air ticket & visa) and transport of your personal effects (from 12 months of mission)

· Housing : individual taken in charge by HI**