Lebanon: Country Representave Lebanon (100%) start 1 juli 2016

Lebanon is facing considerable challenges, mainly as a result of protracted instability. It is occasionally affected by armed conflict, internally as well as through regional and neighboring developments that severely impact on its territory. It is also prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, storms, flooding, and shortages of water. Lebanon hosts since decennia a substantial number of Palestinian refugees. Since 2011 it is as well accommodating refugees from Syria. Notably the latter impacts on internal stability and the humanitarian situation of many.

The Lebanese Red Cross (LRCS) caters for the needs of vulnerable populations, while the branch of the Palestine Red Crescent in Lebanon provides assistance to, primarily but not solely, the Palestinian refugee population. The Lebanese Red Cross is foremost focusing on the following support to Lebanese citizens and refugees from Syria:

• ambulance services through its Emergency Medical Services

• provision of blood units through its blood banks

• medical services through medical social centers and mobile medical units

• provision of relief items through its Disaster Management Unit

The Lebanon branch of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS/L, headquarters in Ramallah) is mainly focusing on (secondary) health services to Palestinian and Syrian refugees and other vulnerable people in and around the Palestinian camps in Lebanon.

The Netherlands Red Cross is active in Lebanon since 1985. It supports the LRCS with relief assistance to refugees from Syria and other vulnerable groups, supports ambulance services and, to a lesser extent, support to the blood banks. In addition, NLRC supports LRCS to build its capacity and to coordinate efforts and initiatives within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. NLRC has supported PRCS/L in strengthening health information systems, improving the quality of medical services, providing medical supplies and equipment, and covering medical support to patients who would otherwise have no access to medical support. Both the Lebanese Red Cross as well as the Palestine Red Crescent are long-term partners of the NLRC, reflecting in the conclusion during 2016 of Partnership Agreements with the Red Cross/Red Crescent (RC/RC) Societies.

Although supporting vulnerable people through activities is an important element of this position, it is vital that the PMER process is well understood in order to achieve quality results and impact, and to enable target groups, public and other donors to obtain adequate feedback on the utilization of resources and achievements. The position of Country Representative is key to support the development of vision and strategy, to ensure maximum coordination and synergies with RC and non-RC actors, and maintain effective relations with partners including donors. The position also proactively supports the mobilization of resources enabling NLRC support in Lebanon. In all this the CR will team up with The Hague colleagues, both direct line management as well as advisory, technical, and supporting positions. The Lebanon CR supervises up to five NLRC delegates, and facilitates incoming missions.

Position in the organization

The Country Representative will report hierarchically to the Regional Programme Coordinator based in The Hague. He/she will liaise with others within the NLRC on matters such as HR, finance, logistics, health, WASH, Food Security and Livelihoods.

Main responsibilities

Partnership

· Strengthen the partnership between NLRC with both LRCS and PRCS/L, and play a key role in effectuating the plans agreed with both RC/RC Societies;

· Support the LRCS and the PRCS/L, based on the NLRC current strategy “New Way of Working” and their respective strategies LRCS Strategic Plan 2014 – 2018 and PRCS/L Strategic Plan 2014 – 2018;

· Support the LRCS and PRCS/L RC Movement coordination process, enabling both to strengthen capacities and manage operations;

· Represent NLRC in meetings on context regarding developments in the larger MENA region affecting Lebanon;

· In coordination with The Hague actively represent the NLRC towards decentralized donors, such as the EU and Netherlands Embassy.

Activities

· Ensure adequate management and technical support to the LRCS for NLRC supported projects, as well as high quality of the NLRC-supported interventions in Lebanon;

· Ensure synergy and complementarity with other actors, particularly those within the RC/RC Movement;

· Plan, line-manage, supervise, advise and support NLRC delegates working in Lebanon;

· Manage the NLRC Lebanon Support Office;

· Support the NLRC team with effective security management in line with the NLRC policy and protocol;

· Facilitate field visits of consultants and NLRC HQ advisers/staff/delegates.

Accountability

· Ensure adequate information flow regarding ongoing operations for both NLRC management and external communication;

· Ensure timely and quality narrative and financial reporting meeting NLRC and donor requirements

· Manage the budgets for the NLRC office and NLRC supported projects in Lebanon;

· Responsible for managing the relationship with LRCS and PRCS/L, as well as other RC/RC National Societies active in Lebanon.

Planning and Resource mobilisation

· Identification of intervention gaps and funding possibilities within the framework of the NLRC, LRCS and PRCS/L strategies and assessed needs;

· Local lead on the process of project development and resource mobilization;

· Maintain analysis of the larger context, and more specifically, the humanitarian developments in Lebanon, ensure NLRC HQ remains well informed of pressing humanitarian issues and challenges.

Requirements/Qualifications

· Equivalent university (Masters) Degree or advanced degree (e.g. DM, health, social sciences, WASH);

· Minimum of 8-years’ demonstrated international experience in line-management in emergency or developmental humanitarian work in complex disaster settings;

· Minimum of 5-years’ demonstrated experience in the Middle East essential, Lebanon experience an asset;

· Strong skills and experience in the transfer of knowledge and skills, preferably within a setting of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies;

· Experience in;

o project identification, assessment, formulation, planning, management and implementation, and monitoring, reporting and evaluation;

o resilience project development and management:

o participatory planning and review techniques with partners;

o strategy development, strategic planning and its translation into concrete action.

· Able to work in politically complex and challenging environment, team player, supportive towards colleagues;

· Commitment to Red Cross Mission and Values, good understanding of the RC Fundamental Principles and able to translate that into concrete action;

· Extensive experience in working with partners at national and sub-national levels, preferably within the RC/RC Movement;

· Good understanding of financial management, accounting systems, budgeting, and cost control procedures;

· Excellent communication skills, with strong interpersonal and coaching skills, including the demonstrated ability to listen to others, to have patience, and culturally respectful and competent;

· Able to work independently, though in concert with Regional Programme Coordinator and NLRC advisors;

· Fluency in written and spoken English language, Arabic an asset;

· Skills in Word and Excel, quick learner of Internet-based management systems, such as SharePoint and Intranet.

Key competencies

· Analysing and forming opinions

· Strategic insight

· Organisational sensitivity

· Cooperation

We offer

§ A full time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for 1 year, with the possibility of extension depending on funding.

§ A flexible and human centred working environment in an international environment with a variety of international organizations.

§ Well balanced conditions of employment with space for initiative and development.

· Please submit your CV and motivation letter in English before 27 March using our online application tool http://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/en/Vacancy/Apply/60988 with reference to Annemieke van Teeffelen.

· For further information regarding the position please contact Ad Beljaars via email: ABeljaars@redcross.nl.

· Please note that an assessment may form part of the selection process.