Deputy Country Director

Role and Responsibilities

Manage the development and implementation of the support functions to facilitate the implementation of the country programme strategy.  Provide leadership, strategic direction, management and evaluation of all aspects of the support functions. The Deputy Country Director also plays a key role in external representation, legal compliance and team leadership.

Project Overview

In response to the Syrian Crisis, the program deliver emergency assistance to Syrian refugees and host communities in Lebanon in the  sectors of Health, Nutrition, WASH and Shelter.

Medair

Medair is a humanitarian organisation inspired by Christian faith to relieve human suffering in some of the world’s most remote and devastated places. We bring relief and recovery to people in crisis, regardless of race, creed or nationality. As signatories of the Red Cross Code of Conduct, we believe that aid should be given to everyone who is in need, regardless of political, social or religious viewpoint. We save lives in emergencies and then stay to help people recover from crisis with dignity—working side by side with communities to leave a lasting impact. We provide a range of emergency relief and recovery services: health care and nutrition; safe water, sanitation, and hygiene; shelter and infrastructure.

Workplace         

Beirut with weekly travel to Zahle, Lebanon

Starting Date

As soon as possible

Initial Contract Details

Full time, minimum contract 24 months

Key Activity Areas

Programme Support Management  

• Facilitate cross cutting communications with the programme teams supporting programme strategy through the support functions.

• Support field managers in all aspects of finance, administrative, human resource and logistics management, ensuring knowledge of and adherence to applicable operational systems, donor requirements and country programme strategy.

• Prepare and implement policies, procedures and guidelines, as appropriate and with the relevant field managers and HQ staff, so as to enhance the smooth running of the programmes through standardised procedures and improved support. This may include finance and governance procedures, staff management, fleet management and IT security and infrastructure.

• Ensure all in-country legal requirements are met including registration, reporting, insurance, work permits, contracts, etc., liaising as necessary with government departments and other official bodies.

• Represent Medair at relevant national and local meetings with government officials, contractors, other NGOs, etc., reporting back as applicable to staff, field managers and HQ.

Financial Management

• Supervise the budget management and expenditure for support and shared costs, in collaboration with field managers and HQ staff, ensuring budgets are spent according to donor proposals and regulations and within the appropriate time frame. Advise the senior field managers of the financial status of the projects.

• Monitor programme spending, ensuring relevant guidelines and procedures and being followed and that systems are in place for the prevention and detection of possible fraud.

Staff Management

• Assist other managers in their line management responsibilities, including recruitment, appraisal, objective setting, development and training, disciplinary action, etc., and deputise for them during any periods of absence.

• Facilitate regular team meetings and, through a consultative leadership style and a transparent, honest and supportive communication structure, develop and build an effective team.

Security Management

• Ensure all staff members and visitors receive appropriate briefings and on-going training in security-related topics.

• Oversee and monitor staff adherence to security protocols, including security incident reports.

• Ensure security plans and protocols for the programme location(s) are updated and implemented in response to changes in the security situation.

• Train and support relevant field managers in security planning, management, implementation and monitoring.

• Act as main Security Focal Point for Beirut and all of Lebanon.

• Assist the Country Director in managing security incidents, as required.

Communication

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with suppliers, local authorities, other NGOs and any other stakeholders, representing Medair and ensuring good co-operation and partnerships.

Quality Management

• In conjunction with relevant managers, review, develop and implement (as applicable) systems to improve transparency and to detect and ultimately prevent loss or fraud. Carry-out regular inspections and spot-checks, both on systems and on-going work, to ensure the best use of Medair assets and resources.

Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant subject such as Management / Development Studies / Business Administration or in a relevant technical subject

• Post-graduate degree in the humanitarian sector desirable; Security Management training desirable

Languages

• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written)

   

  Experience / Competencies

• 5 years post-qualification experience in a relevant management position

• Experience working in a cross-cultural setting, preferable in a support role

• 7 years overseas work experience, preferably with a relief and rehabilitation NGO desirable

• Problem solving ability; good numerical and report writing skills; commitment to best practice

• Advanced leadership and management skills, good decision maker; coaching and training skills

• Able to oversee multiple tasks, prioritising and delegating as required

• Team-player with good interpersonal skills and conflict resolution skills

• Able to maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders

• Good understanding of cross-cultural issues; diplomatic; excellent communicator

Medair Standard Working Requirements for the Field

• Experienced professionals in a relevant field; Overseas intercultural experience

• Committed Christians; commitment to the Medair values

• Strong working knowledge of English, spoken and written

• Working knowledge of French, spoken and written, for French-speaking field programmes

• Single or married (with no children under 18). If married, your spouse must also apply.

• Successful completion of Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC)

• Reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, external contacts

• Able to live and work in a multicultural team under difficult conditions

• Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity, honesty, and physically fit

Benefits

• A salary based upon the grade of the position and the experience of the position-holder

• Comprehensive briefing at our Swiss headquarters, as well as an in-country briefing

• Security training for those going to particularly insecure environments

• Accommodation, food, and transportation in-country

• Return flights to and from the country programme (one return flight for every year of service)

• Rest and recuperation (R&R) leave (including travel, accommodation, and food allowance)

• Annual leave; Death and disability allowance

• Contribution matching programme for retirement savings (for experienced relief workers)

• Additional contract benefit allowance for those who commit to longer contracts

• Comprehensive medical and emergency rescue insurance, with up to 60 days post- assignment coverage, including debriefing

Working Conditions

• This is a field-based position and working and living conditions are good.

Application Process

Follow this link: www.medair.org/work-with-us, check if you are an Experienced or New Relief Worker and that you fit our standard working criteria, then:

1. apply for this vacancy (or another position that matches your profile), or

2. apply for a Medair ROC (where we can try and match your competencies to our vacancy needs).

Please do not make multiple applications. We will not review email applications. Only English-language applications / CVs will be reviewed. Medair does not set closing / deadline dates for applications; recruitment is on-going until the position is filled.

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