Roving Programmes Director – Programmes Middle East Region

Flexible location but Middle East based preferred – includes travel to the field

GOAL is an international humanitarian agency established in 1977 and currently operational in 13 countries world-wide. GOAL has an annual budget of approximately €130m and is supported by a range of donors including the Irish Government, UK Government, USAID and the European Union.

Overview of the role

As part of GOAL’s continuing efforts to ensure consistent and stable management during periods of transition and to maintain the highest standards in the management of our country programmes, GOAL seeks to recruit an experienced candidate for the position of Roving Assistant Country Director – Programmes (ACD-P). The role will focus predominantly on the provision of support for the consolidation of grant programmes in COs through the provision of a backstopping and coaching approach but may also provide ad-hoc support to other activities in the Middle East Region and with potential future deployment to countries in other regions.

The main responsibilities of this role will be to provide backstopping support to GOAL Middle East programmes, to help strengthen the performance of senior positions and to provide oversight on field operations and programmes. The Roving ACD-P will contribute to the design, development, documenting and sharing of best practices and procedures relating to all aspects of the management and implementation of country programmes to which they are deployed such as management reporting, programme implementation, programme design, partnership and delivering on country strategy and annual plans. Initial deployment will focus on Turkey and future deployments will be agreed with the Head of Operations and Regional Director for the Middle East. Key areas of work will include:

• Operational cover for country based ACD-Ps and other senior programme positions as required. The Roving ACD-P will typically serve as a member of in-country Senior Management Team (SMT) when deployed, fulfilling all associated responsibilities.
• Support induction and training for new ACD-Ps. The ACD-P will also provide ongoing mentorship and support to ACD-Ps and other senior programme positions as requested.
• Supporting the development of new programmes via field assessments, programme design, proposal development, partner liaison, stakeholder engagement, proposal development etc.
• Support programmatic best practice and ensure compliance with GOAL policies and procedures.
• Liaise with GOAL’s Emergency Response Unit and serve as part of the global Rapid Deployment Team (RDT).

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Programme Delivery and Management
• Backstop CO grant funded projects, ensure a quality implementation, on time and within budget. A key indicator of success will be the absence of a no cost extension for either project.
• Capacity building of key CO programme staff, including a focus on support in designing kick off meetings, activity planning, scenario planning, risk management, programme impact and donor engagement.
• Gap fill for senior field programme personnel during times of absence such as ACD-Ps, Area Coordinators or Chief of Party roles, fulfilling the functions of these positions as agreed with relevant Country Directors (for ACD-P cover this might typically include serving on the in-country SMT and assuming responsibility for programme development and delivery while inputting on processes including security management, HR, risk management, resource development and donor liaison, budget development, partner development and support, donor compliance, etc.);
• Provide surge support for programme management in existing country programmes as they scale up operations in response to new funding opportunities or to meet expanded humanitarian needs.
• In close cooperation with the Programme Technical Team , provide advice and support on the quality of programme implementation for specific key projects (both remotely and through field visits).

Human Resources
• Provide in-person and remote induction and orientation sessions to new senior programme personnel and provide ongoing mentorship and capacity building to existing programme staff.
• Support the development of GOAL’s programmes staff as requested by developing and providing structured capacity development modules to field-based operations and programmes staff.
• Support the development and roll out an Assistant Country Director Programmes – Field Manual in conjunction with Roving CD and other Operations and Programmes Department staff.

Resource Development and Partner Liaison
• Working closely with the Funding and Business Development Unit, provide remote and in-country support for programme design and proposal development;
• Deploy to conduct or coordinate field assessments for new programming in new or existing areas of operation.
• Work with other members of the Programme Operations Team and GOAL’s global infrastructure to support GOAL’s engagement with the localisation agenda and ongoing engagement of partners from the global south.

Humanitarian Affairs
• Act as the Operations Department’s focal point with GOAL’s Humanitarian Unit, keeping abreast of sectoral developments in humanitarian action and liaising with the Emergency Response Unit on potential response actions as required;
• Serve as part of the emergency response Rapid Deployment Team, deploying to large scale crisis response if required.

Coordination and Policy/Procedures
• Provide input into the development of relevant programme strategies and policies and contribute to or lead the development of programme tools and processes as requested.

• Ensure GOAL policies and procedures for programme management are available (through direct dissemination as well as management of content on GOAL’s intranet), known, understood and are being implemented.

Other
• Produce desk reviews of key sectoral trends as requested.
• Liaising closely with the Ethics and Compliance Department, stay abreast of donor compliance requirements and provide advice to Operations Team members and country programme personnel accordingly.
• Represent GOAL at key external meetings, coordination fora and conferences as directed.
Requirements

Essential
• Five or more years previous overseas management experience in humanitarian assistance / development programming, at least two years of which must be at management level.
• Proven experience in developing and delivering programmes in sectors including curative health, WASH, nutrition, social and behaviour change, disaster risk reduction, economic security, food security and gender.
• Demonstrable experience in successful resource development with donors including Irish Aid, DFID, USAID (including OFDA and FFP), ECHO, EuropeAid, UN agencies, etc.
• Capacity development skills including the development and delivery of training modules.
• An interest and understanding of sectoral trends and developments.
• Demonstrated analytical and conceptual skills to plan projects, timetable activities, and oversee staff work.
• Experience of preparing budgets and financial management.
• Good computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Excellent interpersonal, motivational and management skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English and keen communication skills.
• Willingness to travel and work in challenging environments and flexibility to deploy on short notice.
• Good team player, capable of working with a multinational country team.

Desirable
• To be based in the Middle East Region
• Previous experience as an emergency first responder during rapid or slow onset crises.
• An understanding of resilience and systems approaches, and experience with cash based modalities.
• Capacity to work via French, Spanish or Arabic.

GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy, which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation. GOAL also has a confidentiality policy ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of GOAL, acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organisation without authority, except in the normal execution of duty. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to these policies any job offer made is also subject to police clearance. GOAL is an equal opportunities employer.

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document. Any published closing dates are estimated. Due to the nature of GOAL’s work we aim to fill vacancies as quickly as possible. This means that we will close adverts as soon as we have found the right candidate and this may be before the published closing date. We would therefore advise interested applicants to submit an application as early as possible.