Programme Development Officer

About Siren

Siren drives innovation at the leading edge of public sector transformation, helping clients reimagine the possible in the service of safe, just and free societies. Adopting a systems-thinking approach to public sector change management, we respond to complex problems, deploying a range of services and technological solutions that meet client needs and deliver results for the communities they serve. All of our work is underpinned by a philosophy of client-centeredness.

Siren is an international non-profit organization with headquarters in Beirut and project offices in both Beirut and Jordan. For more information, see: www.sirenassociates.com

Role

The Programme Development Officer will occupy a highly versatile and dynamic role within Siren, working across Siren’s programmes, both vertically and horizontally, to help support our delivery and, as a priority, expand our portfolio. Working directly with senior management, the primary purpose of the role will be to assist in designing and delivering Siren’s programmatic strategies, linked to Siren’s Strategic Framework, that will allow us to expand our current programming in order to address emergent threats and opportunities in our operating contexts.

The Programme Development Officer, as a key member of our HQ-based Programmes Team, will also assist in developing and improving upon supporting programmatic structures to ensure current and future programmes are delivered effectively, in line with our strategic imperatives, and with an eye towards impact. In order to remain responsive to on-the-ground dynamics, our programmes team works as a cohesive unit that provides support across the project cycle, from identification and design through delivery, governance, and close-out. Given this dynamic nature, the role may require direct involvement in delivery which is intended to serve as a catalyst, providing the Programme Development Officer with the requisite exposure to Siren’s project design and delivery style that will allow them to effectively support in the acquisition of new projects and the improvement of Siren programmatic structures. The Programme Development Officer will also play a critical facilitative and supporting role vis-à-vis our project delivery teams, helping teams to ensure quality delivery.

Siren operates in a highly dynamic environment and according to agile project management principles, and is currently undergoing an expansion while managing considerable uncertainty in relation to the Covid-19 crisis and Lebanon’s internal crisis. The Programme Development Officer should not expect a structured environment. Instead, the Programme Development Officer should be capable of applying first principles thinking to solve a range of problems in a fast-paced, flexible, and responsive manner. The role is ideal for someone who is able to manage, and thrive in, ambiguity. The role offers ample opportunities for innovation and ‘outside-of-the-box’ thinking, and candidates are expected to bring their own ideas to the table.

Given the complex nature of our work and a unique approach to delivery, the learning curve for the role is steep. Given the investment that it will require for the candidate to become fully effective in the role, we ask that the candidate be willing to commit to staying with Siren for at least two years, following the probation period. For the right candidate, there is not only considerable opportunity for growth, but also for them to ‘make the role their own’.**

Core Responsibilities: Programme/Business Development

• Work with the programme team to develop Siren’s programmatic strategies, identifying key priorities, stakeholders, and opportunities and threats to be addressed through a cohesive, results driven approach
• Identify potential programme development opportunities, both around existing programming and external offers from established and new donors, building on Siren’s core skill sets
• Work with, and eventually lead, appropriate project teams and other colleagues to develop concept notes and budgets in response to identified opportunities
• Contribute to, and eventually lead on, the delivery of formal tenders, including drafting bid components, quality assuring tender documents, and ensuring compliance requirements are met
• Where tenders are successful, support all aspects of project set up (including the hiring of additional project staff as required)
• Assist in mapping and regular monitoring of current environment in terms of potential donors, partners, beneficiaries, thematic areas, and geographies
• Assist in setting up business development processes (bid go/no go processes, bid tracking database, etc.)
• Develop Siren’s network in Jordan, Lebanon, and elsewhere, networking with donors, state actors, and civil society in order to expand our portfolio

Additional Responsibilities

Programme Delivery Support

• Contribute to the development and roll-out of Siren project management policies, guidelines, and toolkits
• Assist in on-boarding new project delivery team members (project managers, project officers) in relation to programmatic approach
• Facilitate conversations across project teams to identify functional issues and lessons learnt
• Act as a potential draw-down resource for smaller projects, as needed

Programme Governance Support

• Participate in programme board meetings
• Manage Siren’s portfolios in terms of compliance and impact
• Quality assure key deliverables from project teams (research products, inception reports, close-out reports, major reporting milestones)
• Help to hold project delivery teams accountable to deliverables and outcomes
• Ensure alignment with Siren programme strategies and Siren Strategic Framework
• Assist in addressing strategic risks and issues in order to maintain timely, high quality delivery
• Maintain Siren project archive sharepoint site

Programme Coordination Support

• Coordinate with HR, Finance, and Operations Teams in order to ensure programmes are adequately and timely resourced in accordance with Siren policies and Strategic Framework
• Coordinate with the Communications Team to ensure communications and programming are aligned
• Coordinate with RMEL (Research, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) Team to ensure lessons learnt are incorporated into project design and projects are designed in order to maximize potential for impact, as well as ensure gender and conflict sensitivity

Qualifications

Essential

• Demonstrable commitment and alignment with Siren values, namely: Creativity, Commitment, Integrity & Courage, Perseverance, Taking Responsibility, and Valuing Diversity & Difference
• Degree in International development or any related field
• 5-7 years in the international development sector
• 2+ years in business development, grants management, programme development, or equivalent, in an international development context
• Demonstrable understanding of the project management cycle
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skill
• Ability to work independently and perform well under-pressure
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain good internal and external relationships

Desirable

• Command of written and spoken Arabic
• Master’s degree in relevant subject
• Experience in security sector reform, public sector reform and/or public administration preferably
• Experience with various donor platforms and tendering requirements (e.g. USAID, EC, UK FCDO, etc.)
• Existing networks in the MENA region
• Project management qualification (e.g. PMI, PMDPRO)
• Familiarity with Agile Project Management methodology
• An understanding of the political economy in Lebanon