Deputy Country Director – Programme Operations

ROLE PURPOSE:

As the most senior post below the Country Director post, the Deputy Country Director – Programme Operations (DCD – PO) is a member of the Senior Management Team. The DCD-PO, together with SMT members, shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Office. The DCD-PO in his/her capacity is responsible for implementation of all programming in country, emergency preparedness and response (including Disaster Risk Reduction), Partnerships, Awards, Cash, and Supply Chain for the Country Programme in Lebanon. The DCD-DPO guarantees business continuity in periods of absence of the CD. When acting as chair of the SMT, in the absence of the CD, the DCD-DPO has decision-making authority.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3: the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work in country programs; or are visiting country programs; ore because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Reports to: Country Director

Number of direct reports: 8

The main responsibility of this role is to lead the delivery of the country strategy and implementation of all programmes and projects within the Save the Children Lebanon country portfolio. The DCD – PO will be responsible for overseeing the management of Save the Children Lebanon’s three field bases in the North, Bekaa, and Beirut/Mt Lebanon/South, providing day-to-day support, coaching and direct line management to the Area Managers responsible for each of the area of operations. The DCD – PO works in close business partnership with the Programme Development and Quality Director to ensure the delivery of quality programs.

The DCD – PO also directly line manages the Partnership Manager with a view to drive Save the Children’s partnership strategy, the Awards and New Business Development Manager, who ensures compliance with donor regulation, member engagement, and portfolio development, the Supply Chain Manager, responsible for procurement, warehouse, asset and fleet management, and the Cash Operations Coordinator whose remit includes providing support to and administration of Cash Transfer Programmes. In addition, the DPO will oversee the work of a Chief of Party on a three-year EU MADAD-funded livelihoods and social protection project.

Also, the DCD – PO acts as the Team Leader in times of categorized emergency responses.

Currently the portfolio of programmes for which the DPO is ultimately accountable includes Education, Child Protection, Shelter, WASH, Food Security & Livelihoods and Child Right Governance/Youth participation. In 2020, Save the Children Lebanon’s portfolio of operations was around US $25 million, and 2021 is expected to be a similar or higher level of activity.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Leadership and Representation

• As a member of the Senior Management Team, to play a leading role in setting the country strategy and contributing to key decisions affecting the country office.
• To deputize for the Country Director when designated.
• To lead and chair the Country Coordination meeting (ESMT meetings), and ensure the latter is used as an effective platform for coordination, problem solving and decision-making.
• To build and maintain relationships with relevant networks and operational staff of similar organizations in the country.
• To represent Save the Children with in-country donors as appropriate, particularly around monitoring visits and updates on the implementation of existing programmes.
• To represent Save the Children with local authorities as appropriate, with a view towards securing access and increasing acceptance.
• To engage regionally and globally on the development of Save the Children operational systems and processes and the sharing of best practice.
• Play a primary role in assessment of structure and delivery platform/s, to ensure streamlined and cost efficient delivery, and advise the SMT accordingly.
• Ensure ongoing review and assessment of key RACI relationships and process maps within the CO, on a regular basis.

Programme Operations and Resource Management

• To ensure all programmes and projects in the CO are delivered on budget, on time, and with compliance.
• To ensure delivery on Operational Key Performance Indicators, in particular proper planning to deliver on-time, on-budget programs.
• To lead on monthly portfolio review meetings, maintain oversight of all high risk grants, with a focus on multi-sectoral and multi-location ones, and mobilize relevant staff as needed to ensure quality implementation.
• With the Awards Manager, to ensure that programme implementation takes into account contractual requirements; maintaining oversight across grant portfolio to ensure appropriate attention is given to grants according to donor and strategic priorities.
• To ensure that projects are properly kicked-off and closed out, and implemented with compliance.
• With the Partnership Manager, to continue to drive the partnership strategy, ensure that partnership management processes continue to adapt to changing needs, and build strategic and long-standing partnerships built on mutual respect and benefit.
• With the Supply Chain Manager, to facilitate the successful rollout of relevant systems, and ensure purchasing efficiency and quality are maintained.
• With the Cash Operations Coordinator, to ensure continuous improvement of cash transfer systems, in light of changing economic and financial situation in Lebanon.
• With the EU Chief of Party, to represent the Inmaa Consortium and lead the Project Steering Committee.
• To co-chair the Country Risk Management Group and ensure risks are analyzed regularly and properly mitigated.
• To review the operating model on a regular basis and ensure that operations across the country are delivered as efficiently as possible, with the optimum possible use of resources such as staff vehicles, and warehouses.
• To ensure that programmes are delivered efficiently, maximising opportunities for convergence and integration of activities where possible.
• To work in collaboration with internal departments to ensure coordination between teams and integration of cross-departmental processes.

Delivery of Humanitarian Responses and Preparedness

• To lead on the delivery of the Category 2 response, as well as local categorized responses.
• To develop and regularly review Save the Children’s preparedness plan and ensure preparedness actions are implemented by all departments.
• To involve partners in the delivery of Save the Children’s humanitarian responses and ensure their emergency responses capacities are developed as needed.

Risk

• To lead and co-chair the Country Risk and Compliance Committee (CRCC).
• Play a primary and accountable role for risk mitigation within Ops mandate area, and play an active leadership role within the SMT around risk mitigation.
• Ensure quality ARAs are developed for every new program, which are properly rolled out with partners and program managers for every award.
• Ensure a particular focus on risk, capacity support, and partnership portfolio, acknowledging the CO will continue to invest and grow its delivery with and through its partners.

Strategy, Programme Design and Quality

• With the Programme Development and Quality Director, contribute to project design and ensure that programme implementation is feasible and achievable. Where necessary, act as liaison between technical advisors and Area/Programme Managers to ensure that interventions are in line with SC strategy and are delivered in accordance with technical advice.To oversee the input of Area/Programme Managers into programme design/development to ensure that appropriate resources are allocated to the operational platform to enable delivery.
• To conduct regular field visits and ensure an environment of continuous learning and improvement within the operations team, and that lessons learned throughout programme implementation and utilized to inform the adaptation of existing, and the design of future, programmes.
• Ensure active engagement in advocacy strategy development and delivery, and in particular ensure the voices and views of children are heard and taken into account in the delivery of our programs and against our program objectives.

Line Management and Capacity Development

• To line manage the Area Managers and other relevant Operations staff, providing induction, training, coaching and advice consistent with their capacity, roles and responsibilities.
• To facilitate an environment of high performance within the Operations team, rewarding success and allowing greater autonomy for high performers, whilst managing performance and providing greater levels of support for others.
• Providing an enabling environment that allows senior staff such as Area Managers to utilize their skills and experience to overcome internal and external challenges; acting as liaison between Operations staff and other departments (internally) and organisations (externally) to resolve problems and address systemic issues.
• To oversee the performance of staff within the Operations team to ensure that they have the necessary knowledge and capacity relevant to their role. Develop capacity building plans and initiatives, which will enable staff to achieve the requirements of their job description.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a demanding workload comprised of diverse and challenging tasks and responsibilities
• Proven track record of active contribution to a senior management team, and providing strategic support across multiple sectors and/or regions
• Extensive experience with NGOs with increasing responsibilities including a proven experience of delivering on large-scale programmes and managing large teams
• Experience of and well-developed skills in staff management and supervision. Proven strong coaching and capacity building skills
• Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships quickly with a wide variety of people
• Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure
• Significant knowledge of international humanitarian systems and procedures, institutions and donors, accountability frameworks and best practices in emergency management
• Proven substantial experience and knowledge in effective financial and budgetary control, securing and managing grants from major institutional donors
• Solid project management skills related to organizational development projects and international cross-functional teams with a proven history of delivering results
• Ability to analyze information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically
• An in-depth understanding of national and international development issues in particular in relation to children
• Computer literate (i.e. TEAMS, ZOOM, WORD, advanced Excel, Outlook, etc.)
• Strong communication (written and spoken), and interpersonal skills in English, with experience in managing multicultural teams
• Fluency in the Arabic language strongly preferred

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures

Child Safeguarding

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse

Safeguarding our Staff

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures