Programme Delegate, Lebanon At Danish Red Cross

We are looking for a dedicated and energetic colleague to join the DRC country team in Lebanon, ready to tackle challenges in a constant changing environment

The Programme Delegate works within the Danish Red Cross (DRC) country team, embedded in the headquarters (HQ) of the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC). The DRC team is responsible for programme development and implementation in adherence with the country strategy and the DRC International Strategy. Through this, DRC aims to reach and assist highly vulnerable people in cooperation with Red Cross / Red Crescent (RCRC) partners, external actors and donors.

In Lebanon, the host national society is the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC), while the Palestine Red Crescent Society has a branch in Lebanon (PRCS-L), hereafter referred to as National Societies (NSs) with which DRC works closely.

DRC has been present in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region since 2002 and in Lebanon since 2013 in response to the growing regional crisis caused by the war in Syria. The entry point for DRC was its Psychosocial Programme (PSP), and later progressed into supporting health activities, cash-based programming and Branch Development. DRC has supported LRC in strengthening internal Psychosocial capacities and has now shifted to enhancing integration and mainstreaming within the NSs sector activities.

In 2014, DRC expanded their response and support to the PRCS-L to provide health services and psychosocial support to Syrian and Palestinian refugees. The delegate will work with and support both the LRC and the PRCS-L branch.

The Programme Delegate reports to the Lebanon Country Manager (CM) based at the LRC HQ in Beirut and works closely with DRC in-country Delegates and Regional and HQ Advisors. The delegate will have technical responsibilities within PSS, CASH based programming and, if required, emergency response and will receive technical support from the DRC MHPSS and CASH matrices and Disaster Management Department. The delegate will be responsible for providing technical assistance of implementation and reporting on activities implemented with the support of DRC, whether long term projects or response operations in close coordination with NSs partners, Country team and donors.

The delegate should expect frequent field travel, all rendering Covid restrictions and civil unrest.

2020 has seen Lebanon’s capacity stretched in all directions, already struggling to survive multiple compounded crises: a refugee crisis of more than one million Syrians fleeing the war; an economic and political collapse caused by extremely high indebtedness that translated into a severe liquidity crisis, the de facto devaluation of the LBP with multiple exchange rates and high inflation; deep-rooted and resultant violent socio-political crisis that led to the resignation of two governments in less than six months; the global pandemic of COVID-19, and then the Beirut Port explosion on August 4th.

The negative outlook for Lebanon will continue in 2021 and most probably for some years to come. Not only will Lebanon continue to be impacted by local elements, but also regional and global politics, the pandemic and the global economic downturn. A worsening of the viral outbreak, potential further social unrest, and uncertainty over the government’s commitment to reform and its inability to secure external funding presents a catastrophic outlook. Even if the government could agree on harsh reforms, which looks unlikely, it will also take a tremendous toll on its shrinking middle class and especially its lower class leading to an increase in a vulnerable population.

Main responsibilities:

• Manage the MoFA Grants and Response funding, providing technical support and guiding the implementation with the NSs.
• Support all programme related aspects of the cross-cutting PSP in coordination with LRC’s Medical Social, Disaster Management -including cash programming, Youth, Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Medical service unites, as relevant, mainstreaming PsychoSocial Support and PGI into relevant programming.
• Strive to improve the quality of services provided by NSs, including stronger Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEAL).
• Contribute to build the programme management capacity of the NSs supporting their aim to become a strong NS that consistently delivers relevant services to vulnerable people country-wide (as per the IFRC NS Development Framework).
• Support the DRC Lebanon Country Manager (CM) in relations with the NSs, other PNS, and in DRC’s contribution to wider Movement and interagency cooperation in Lebanon
• Support the CM and DRC Delegates in Lebanon in developing and raising funds for DRC’s overall programme in Lebanon.
• Support the CM and DRC Delegates in Lebanon in needs assessment and in developing future projects, particularly in the design of future programme(s).
• Provide recommendations on the strategic direction of future DRC engagement in Lebanon.

Experience and qualifications:

• A relevant academic degree or equivalent experience from the field
• A minimum of 5 years of actual field experience in programme management in developing and/or conflict-affected countries or related project implementation.
• Information management and analytical skills, in assessment, project design and programme financial management.
• Coordination skills, with an emphasis on working through and building the capacity of national partners. Experience and skills in mentoring and building skills in staff and volunteers, understanding that process and ownership are key to achieving results in culturally and politically sensitive environments
• Good understanding of gender, protection, social or human vulnerability issues.
• Self-motivated, with good judgment and initiative.
• Strong capacity to handle complex tasks independently, multitask and prioritize, and meet multiple deadlines on time.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement experience is an advantage, as is experience in the MENA context.
• Professional fluency in English is obligatory.
• Working knowledge of Arabic an advantage.
• Full proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• A valid international driving licence.

We expect that you are confident in situations of stress, and able to handle a heavy but varied workload. As a person, you are an excellent diplomat and have strong communication, coordination, negotiation, networking, and facilitation skills.
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Employment Conditions**

This is a 24 months position, with possibility for extension. The duty station is Beirut in Lebanon with frequent field travels. The ideal starting date is 1 October 2021 or soonest thereafter.

The contract will be administered in accordance with the Danish Red Cross Terms and Conditions for Delegates. The salary including all allowances and pension payment will be between DKK 42,500.00 – 45,000.00 per month, depending on qualifications and experience. The position is a family duty station.