Country Manager, Lebanon

We are looking for a driven and strategic Country Manager, who can foster optimal results of a country team, successfully negotiate partnerships and further develop the country programme portfolio.

Danish Red Cross (DRC) has been present in Middle East North Africa (MENA) for close to 20 years and is currently active in Lebanon, Syria, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Yemen and Iraq with approximately 27 expatriate staff in the region. We prioritise strengthening of partner organisations and their transparency, autonomy and volunteer structures to build sustainable operational capacity and affect change.

DRC has been present in Lebanon since 2013, where we support emergency and primary health care services; psychosocial support, cash-based assistance along with national society development. One overall purpose of the Country Manager (CM) position is to visibly represent the DRC towards the Lebanese Red Cross Society (LRC), the Palestine Red Crescent Society branch in Lebanon (PRCS L), Movement and non-Movement partners along with other key stakeholders and donors in Lebanon.

The CM is more specifically responsible for the strategic management of the DRC programme and capacity building, with a view to deliver an intervention that effectively reflects DRC and partner priority areas, organizational capacities, contextual needs and durable solutions. The DRC in Lebanon consists beyond the CM of a Health and Programme delegate.

Responsibilities

The CM refers to the DRC Head of Region MENA (HoR) and the main areas of responsibility are:

• Effective leadership for the DRC team in Lebanon
• Maintain and develop further the strategic relationship with the LRC and PRCS L leadership and senior management
• Liaise and ensure DRC visibility with RCRC Movement partners, donors, UN, international organisations and other relevant stakeholders
• Sustain effective cooperation with potential consortia partners and proactively look for establishment of new partnerships
• Responsible for the development and implementation of an integrated country programme portfolio and emergency/recovery response operations including ensuring proper planning, budgets, monitoring and reports
• Proactively seek out new funding opportunities and lead development of concept notes, budgets and programme proposals
• Coordinate emergency/recovery response operations in collaboration with DRC Head of Region and Headquarter DM Unit

Expected key results

• Strengthened and expanded partnership with our principal partner, the Lebanese Red Cross as well as the Palestine Red Crescent branch in Lebanon
• New institutional funding ensured for the country programme, particularly for Health, Psychosocial Support and Recovery response engagements
• New partnerships and/or consortia cooperation established for key priority areas
• Integration of programme strengthened
• Effective financial management at country and programme levels ensured

Required experience and qualifications

You have a relevant academic background, e.g. master’s degree in Development Studies, International Relations, Programme Management, Disaster Management or another relevant field, with:

• Minimum of 8 years relevant experience in working with humanitarian organisations in developing, emergency and recovery contexts
• Strong experience with transparent leadership and staff/team management
• Excellent communication, partnership building, networking and fundraising skills
• Technical expertise within one or more of the areas of Health, Psychosocial Support, Cash-based assistance, Disaster Management, Organisational Development
• Solid experience from the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is ideal, including acquaintance with Movement Cooperation modalities such as EIL.
• Proven experience in resource mobilisation with major donors including Danida, UN, EU/ECHO
• Proven experience within programme cycle and financial management of programmes
• Working experience from Lebanon or MENA is an advantage
• Full proficiency in English speaking and writing is a requirement
• Possession of a valid international driving license

Employment conditions The starting date is 1 March 2021. The contract period is 2 years with possibility of extension. The duty station is Beirut, Lebanon. The position is a family position (security conditions and Covid-19 restrictions/measures allowing). Frequent travel to programme areas is required. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the DRC Terms and Conditions for Delegates on Long Term Missions. The salary including all allowances and pension will be between DKK 45,000 – 51,500 per month, depending on qualifications and experience. Housing and insurance covered by DRC.