LEBANON – FIELD COORDINATOR (H/F) – ZAHLE

Desired start date: December 2020

Duration of the mission: 12 months (renewable upon funding)

Location: Position based in Zahle (Beqaa)

ABOUT THE MISSION

SI’s mission in Lebanon is articulated around 2 bases: Zahle (East) and Tripoli (North, with a subbase in Akkar). The Coordination team is based in Beirut. Following the Aug. 4 Beirut blast, the Coordination team expanded to include an operational component with a team dedicated to the response in Beirut.

The expatriate team consists of 16 staff members, while the national team represents circa 150 staff members.

The mission’s overall budget reached 13M USD in 2020. Tripoli base counted for 60% of this amount, while Zahle accounted for the remaining 40%. In 2020, the mission’s overall budget is expected to total 15M USD.

Key programs/areas of intervention for the mission are the following:

• Emergency WASH service provision in informal settlements (UNICEF funding)
• Integrated Shelter For Protection and Health (BPRM Funding)
• Integrated Multi-Hazard Risk Management (AFD Funding)
• Water & Wastewater Prog. for Host & Refugee Communities (EU MADAD Funding)
• Shelter/WASH for Protection response to Refugees (ECHO funding // North only)
• Mapping of informal settlements (MEDAIR / UNHCR) – North only

ABOUT THE JOB

The field coordinator’s position is Bekaa is a standard full-scale SI Field Coordinator position covering the Bekaa region. It includes:

CONTEXT & SECURITY

Understanding of the context & environment is essential to ensure a reasonable balance in the safety rules and to monitor the situation effectively. Despite the country’s small size, Lebanon is very complex and neighbouring villages can have fundamental differences.

The field coordinator, supported by a Security and Liaison Manager (SLM), is in charge of monitoring this particular context and analysing associated trends.

Security will become an increasing part of the Field Coordinator’s role.

REPRESENTATION

Acting as the delegated Head of Mission for the Bekaa region, the Field Coordinator represents the organization at the regional level.

SUPPORT:

A Log-Admin Manager is present on the base and is the only fellow expat at this stage. Given the broad scope of the role, the position is supported by 3 Technical Coordinators: Finance Coordinator, HR Coordinator and Logistic Coordinator. All 3 are based in Beirut (1h drive from Zahle) and have Deputies and Assistants to support them in their tasks.

Ensuring adherence to SI principles and processes is also part of the FC’s responsibility, be-it by working on staff’s belonging or by controlling that procedures are in place and abided by.

Administration/HR/Finance

On the HR/Finance side, the LAM is line managing 2 assistants: HR Assistant + Finance Assistant. 1 Cleaner (working in Office & GH) is reporting to the HR Assistant

On HR, after a period of under-staffing in coordination, the latter now has the appropriate dimension to tackle more in-depth topics. Training plans, Talent Management, Improved recruitment reach, etc. should be on the table to further improve SI’s HR management.

Logistics

On the Logistic side, the LAM has 1 direct report: The Deputy Log Manager who, in turn, is in charge of line managing the log team (3 assistants, 3 drivers).

The workload on Logistics is concentrated around procurement as nearly all procurement files translate into work contracts executed by contractors. Therefore, managing the contractor pool, following-up on bid collection and winner selection, treating handover files and payments all require thorough follow-up by the Log team. The lengthy processes and validation thresholds can become friction points with the Program teams.

CHALLENGES FORESEEN:

• Context:
  • A quick understanding of the context is fundamental especially with the recent developments and an expected complexification of the landscape.

The political, confessional, societal, but mostly feudal-type dynamics are quite hard to understand at first but have a considerable impact on security and operations.

• Human resources:
  • The Zahle base being the most recent in Lebanon, it sometimes suffers from the (perceived) difference in experience. The team is growing and turnover is now significantly lower, especially for key positions (AM, PM).
  • Staff know their rights well and can be vocal about them when needed, specially if they perceive a difference in treatment between bases. Harmonization is central.

Similar to the context analysis, understanding the Lebanese society dynamics can help in understanding and anticipating potential human resource problems.

• Logistics:
  • Given the large financial volume, procurement is a sensitive high-risk topic. The economic crisis and the scarcity of US dollars in the country make winning markets with iNGOs more attractive than ever. With the tribal/familial nature of the Bekaa, we can become exposed to either direct pressure or behind the scene pressure amongst contractors.
  • Corruption being clearly present, there is a very high need to properly follow procedures and document our choices including with detailed explanatory notes when needed. This protects us in case of false accusations of market manipulation/favouritism but also allows better and more transparent management of our procurement activities.
• Programs:
• With a fast-evolving and deteriorating context, the Humanitarian Response in Lebanon is likely to shift some of its priorities. Providing valid context analysis and proposing operational directions and strategic inputs will be essential to SI.

As a head of office, the field coordinator is accountable for the whole base’s staff. He/she directly manages 5 colleagues (1 international & 4 national) who in turn manage their respective departments and programs

YOUR PROFILE

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor/Master degree in business administration, Finance, HR, Logistics, Political Sciences, International Relations, International Organisation Management or other relevant field

EXPERIENCE:

• At least 1 years’ experience in the field at similar positions.
• Proficiency in excel, word, outlook. Strong data management skills can be an asset.
• Experience in conflict/post-conflict contexts, preferably with experience in supporting emergency responses.
• Previous experience in the Middle East highly desirable, ideally in Lebanon.
• Previous experience with SI an asset.
• Experience in external coordination and development of local partnerships an asset.

TECHNICAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Diplomacy and negotiation
• Team management: capacity to manage a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to delegate, build capacity and create a positive atmosphere

SOFT SKILLS AND SPIRIT:

• Leadership
• Autonomy
• Flexibility
• Analysis and solution oriented.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, and the ability to multi-task.
• Stress management: ability to work under pressure, to meet tight deadlines, to face workload peaks
• Diplomacy, cultural sensitivity, negotiation skills

LANGUAGES:

• Fluency in English (Speaking, Reading, Writing) a must
• Arabic an asset (official language in the country)
• French a plus (Zahle city is partly francophone, the mission is largely francophone)

OTHERS:

• Commitment to the fundamental principles of SI’s charter and ethos

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A SALARIED POSITION: starting from 2860 euros gross per month (including 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly per diem of 750 USD a month. Please note that salary is not negotiable with SI.

VACATION: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of on 7 working days every three months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7 working days break at 3/6 and 9 month (with 850 USD allocated by SI). To these break periods, it is necessary to add the granting of 1 additional rest day per month worked (i.e. 12 days in addition for a 1-year contract)

SOCIAL AND MEDICAL COVER: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which reimburses all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

HOUSING /FAMILY PACKAGE: can be included, housing allowance; child and school allowance; insurances + flights for all the family members.

SECURITY

Lebanon is currently facing with three intertwined crises: political, economic and sanitary (COVID19). The social uprising which started in October 2019 has been further exacerbated over the past 6 months with a dire deterioration of the economic situation of a huge proportion of the Lebanese populations. Tensions are exacerbated which resulted in regular and violent demonstrations and riots over the last couple of months. The sanitary situation due to COVID19 also accelerated the deterioration of the economic situation with half of the Lebanese population now deemed to be under the poverty line, following decrease of salaries, job losses and devaluation of the Lebanese pound. Despite these on-going internal and external tensions, Lebanon’s security situation is currently good. There is no curfew in place on the Lebanon mission and international staff can move around without too many restrictions even though Akkar and the Beqaa valley include some no-go areas. The security measures in place could still be upgraded quickly depending on the context’s evolution.

KEY INFORMATION ABOUT LIVING CONDITIONS

As the governorate’s capital and one of the largest and safest cities in the area, Zahle is home to many iNGOs and UN agencies. Nearly all those operating in the area have offices and guesthouses around.

SI Expats are hosted in the Zahle guesthouse (

The Zahle guesthouse is located inside the city, at walking distance from shops, cafes and restaurants. The city hosts a cinema, several gyms and reputable walking and hiking trails. Each international staff member have their own room, access to 24/7 electricity and Wi-Fi, a central heating system for the winter as well as air conditioning for summer months.

Located about 1000m above sea level, Zahle is on the verge of Mount Lebanon and the Beqaa valley. The drive from Beirut takes approximately 1 hour, driving east. Known for an overall pleasant weather, temperatures roughly range from zero (or slightly single-digit negative) in winter with periodic snowstorms to 35 degrees in summer. Ski resorts and beaches are accessible for day trips. Zahle is a relatively liberal city by Lebanese standards and no particular clothing restrictions apply.