Lebanon: Project Manager Response Preparedness

We help to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience by responding to disasters and crises and by supporting community and institutional risk reduction and preparedness.

In the Netherlands this is achieved through our more than thirty thousand volunteers and internationally with the aid of specialists or by sending relief supplies or funds.

Together we act before, during and after disasters to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. We do this without regard to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinion.

Our seven Fundamental Principles guide our humanitarian work: Humanity, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary service, Unity and Universality.

The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) seeks a Project Manager to provide technical and programme management support for its response preparedness programme in Lebanon

Position title: Project Manager Response Preparedness

Duty station: Lebanon

Time period: 12 Months (with possible extension)

Starting Date: As soon as possible

Status: Accompanied posting

Rationale

Netherlands Red Cross Response Preparedness Programme

In 2011 the 31^st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent was held. During this Conference the Netherlands government and NLRC agreed to support other National Societies to provide more effective emergency response.^[1] This resulted in a Response Preparedness (RP) programme, implemented from 2012 till 2016 in several countries, among which Lebanon, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). In a follow-up programme the NLRC will be contributing to four disaster and conflict prone countries from September 2016 to April 2020, including Lebanon. Working with the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in those countries, the advisors of the Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Secretariat, and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre (RCCC) both support the national RC/RC programs as well as strengthen response preparedness at a regional and global level. The program covers core activities that lie at the heart of disaster preparedness of the National Societies.

RP2 consists of two components. The first focuses on building the response preparedness capacity of the National Societies and creating an environment (in connection with authorities and other (non-governmental) organizations and (meteorological, insurance, banking institutes) beneficial for national disaster response preparedness. Core RP activities will be (further) developed such as contingency planning, simulations, development of Standard Operating Procedures, Pre-Disasters Agreements, warehousing (including prepositioning emergency supplies), communication, ensuring presence and capacity building of DM staff and BDRT/NDRT, etc.

The second component aims at contributing to global Red Cross and Red Crescent tools and guidelines on response preparedness through the IFRC Secretariat and the RCCC. Mainstreamed in these two components are the development, testing and scaling-up of the following innovative approaches; Forecast-based Financing (FbF); Information management (including needs assessments);Cash Transfer Programming (CTP) in first response; Shelter database; Improved sanitation in emergency response.

1. Context analysis

Lebanon is since long facing 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 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, and since 2011 may refugees from Syria. This contributes to risks and challenges for the refugees as well as the host communities.

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

• Country-wide 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 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 has been active in Lebanon since 1985. It currently supports the LRCS with relief assistance to refugees from Syria and other vulnerable groups, ambulance services and the blood banks. In addition, NLRC supports the LRCS to strengthen its capacities and coordination initiatives within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. The 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.

Summary statement and responsibilities

Specific tasks and responsibilities

Management of all aspects related to the implementation of the RP2 programme in Lebanon***.*** This includes but is not limited to the following activities:

· Ensure the annual plans of the LRCS and PRCS/L are both line with the donor objectives and the overall programme description, as well as with the LRCS and PRCS/L strategies and plans;

· Work closely with the LRCS and PRCS/L in order to strengthen their disaster response management and improve its planning processes;

· Support the LRCS and PRCS/L in implementing their improved action plan to deal with disasters, food insecurity, health programmes and community capacity building;

· Strengthen the PRCS/L, and the LRCS Disaster Management unit, by providing guidance on operational structure and roles and responsibilities;

· Ensure effective working relationships with the programme staff as required;

· Provide support to all staff in ensuring that cross-cutting themes are considered in interventions at all levels, especially in programme design, work plans, and trainings;

· Conduct regular site visits to meet with key programme staff and beneficiaries;

· Monitor and support implementation and evaluation of the RP2 programme, in order to achieve all the programme outputs within the allotted timeframe ensuring that interventions adhere to international programme implementation and development standards;

· Ensure that all expected results of the programme are accomplished in a timely manner according to established timeline;

· Assist the LRCS and PRCS/L in producing regular, accurate and timely financial and narrative reports for the Netherlands Red Cross and for donors through mentoring and training in programme and financial management as well as reporting;

General tasks and responsibilities

· Coordinate and communicate with Partner National Societies, regional donors and other relevant Red Cross and non-Red Cross partners involved in Disaster Risk Management activities;

· Establish links and work towards co-ordination and co-operation between relevant stakeholders including other NS’, RCCC and IFRC Secretariat (‘s representatives);

· Suggest improvements, innovations or efficiencies that could be implemented;

· Be familiar with - and be able to represent - the NLRC programme and objectives in the region;

· Provide regular requested and unrequested information and timely reports to the RP programme manager at NLRC Headquarters (The Hague, The Netherlands);

· Consult and collaborate with the RP technical advisor during his/her presence in LRCS**;**

· Perform other work related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the Regional Programme Coordinator (RPC) at NLRC headquarters.

Position in the organization

· The Project Manager reports to the NLRC Country Representative in Beirut

Requirements/Qualifications

· Master’s Degree

· Extensive (at least 7 years) experience of working for a humanitarian aid organization in development contexts;

· Extensive (at least 5years) field experience internationally in managing operations in emergency and non-emergency settings;

· Experience in project/programme management, design, monitoring and evaluation of multi-sectoral programmes;

· Demonstrated success in (financial) planning and budgeting, programme management and reporting;

· Extensive experience in team management;

· Budgeting and financial, as well as programme supervision experience;

· Excellent practical knowledge of computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word processing, e-mail, Internet)

· Advantage will be experience working in the Middle East;

· Experience with the Red Cross Movement, working in bilateral programmes;

· Experience with Disaster Response Preparedness/Disaster Management.

· Fluency in English,

· French, and Arabic would be an advantage

Key competencies

High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct; team player; able to work under security constrained situations; flexible and adaptable to changing working conditions; self-motivated and proactive, with good judgment and initiative; able to prioritize and meet deadlines; be diplomatic and result orientated; strong interpersonal, communication and networking skills; working in a multicultural environment; high motivation to work in challenging emergency context with development approach; respectful and patient attitude.

[1] Original Pledge text: ‘The government of the Netherlands and the Netherlands Red Cross herewith pledge that options will be investigated to, during the years 2012-2015, support selected National Societies in strengthening their capacities in emergency preparedness and response’ Source: https://www.icrc.org/appweb/p31e.nsf/pledge.xsp?action=openDocument&documentId=CEE41EB45AC0DC75C...

Applications

· Please send your resume in English and letter of motivation with reference Annemieke van Teeffelen before 12 September 2016 to: http://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/en/Vacancy/Apply/68452

· For more information about the position, you can contact Ad Beljaars, abeljaars@redcross.nl

· An assessment will be part of the selection procedure.