Head of Programs (HP)-Lebanon At Associazione Volontari per il Servizio Internazionale

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project development and coordination

• The HP analyzes donors’ proposals and identifies the potential to enhance AVSI’s area of intervention in Lebanon, discussing them with the Country Representative and the Head of MENA Programmes;
• The HP leads and coordinates the development of concept notes and full proposals, in collaboration with the Sector Coordinators (Education and Protection, Livelihood, Outreach and MEAL), Project Managers, field staff and Operations staff, in full coordination with the Country Representative, the Head of MENA Programmes and the RM;
• The HP facilitates communication between all departments as well as with partners, for project writing and budgeting, as well as reporting;
• The HP supervises, corrects and supports the negotiation of MoUs and agreements with partners and stakeholders;
• The HP supports the CR in aligning proposals to AVSI’s strategy and in elaborating AVSI’s national strategy in the fields of Development and Emergency.

Programme management

• The HP supervises the implementation of all projects in the Education/Protection and Livelihoods sectors; organizes start-up meetings for new projects; participates in monthly forecast update meetings; and guides the PM by correcting any discrepancies between implementation and expenditure;
• The HP promotes transversal synergies within and between sectors; supports sector coordinators and accompanies PMs in meetings with donors (monthly coordination meetings and/or partner meetings);
• the HP supports PMs and ensures compliance with donor rules when drafting variants, reallocations and project extensions;
• the HP supervises and corrects interim and final reporting to donors, ensuring that it is submitted in accordance with deadlines;

Capacity Development

• The HP is the responsible of the Coordinators of both sectors (therefore responsible for the writing of the ToR, Goal Setting, Annual Appraisal system); if the figure of the Coordinator is junior or vacant, the HP is the counsellor of the PMs of the sector;
• The HP collects and organises the training needs of the project staff, discusses with the country representative the coaching and capacity building needs of the key staff of the programmes.
• The HP is responsible for the creation/updating/sharing of project follow-up tools.

Insitutional relations

• Developing and managing relationships with international donors and reviewing funding opportunities on the ground (in collaboration with the RP and the Head of MENA Programmes).
• Participation in national Working Groups of interest, LHIF meetings, and other representative events, at the request of the CR.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• University degree, preferably in a subject related to project management or international development; a master’s degree in humanitarian studies is an advantage;
• At least 7 years (ideally 10 years) of professional experience in a similar role;
• Fluent in English;
• Previous experience in the MENA area is an advantage.

ADDITIONAL SKILL AND\OR EXPERIENCE (OPTIONAL):

• Excellent writing skills (writing emergency and development projects)
• Excellent budget management skills
• Mastery of the project procedures of UNICEF, FH, UNHCR, AICS, GIZ, WFP, USAID and BPRM
• Ability to write reports
• Have excellent knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, Database Manager…).

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Solid leadership and staff management skills, with a record of managing large and diverse teams and contributing to capacity building for national and international staff;
• Solid leadership and staff management skills, with a record of managing large and diverse teams and contributing to capacity building for national and international staff;
• Familiarity with conflict settings.
• Strong internal and external coordination and representation skills;
• Strong ability to work under pressure;
• Strong facilitation skills;
• Strong communication skills and intercultural sensitivity;
• Willingness to travel within the country.