Area Managers

Location: Lebanon

Contract - Full-Time

Closing date: Tuesday 11 June 2013

All jobs close at midnight UK time on the date specified

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organisation for children. We work in 120 countries. We save children's lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfill their potential.

We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

We have over two million supporters worldwide and raised 1.6 billion dollars last year to reach more children than ever before, through programmes in health, nutrition, education, protection and child rights, also in times of humanitarian crises.

There are 30 national Save the Children organisations around the world. By the end of 2012 all our international programmes will be delivered through a merged operation with 14 000 staff, managed through seven regional hubs and reporting to a relatively small, central office. We're changing to become more efficient, more aligned, a better partner, a stronger advocate, a magnet for world-class people and relevant for the 21st century.

Role:

The Area Manager will lead the Field Offices who are working on Child Protection, Child Rights Governance, Education, Health & Nutrition, Food Security & Livelihoods and Shelter programs in part of the country. He/she will ensure that comprehensive needs assessments are conducted alongside with the implementation of programs with a focus on children. He/she will be responsible for the implementation of a comprehensive program that takes into consideration development needs of all children in Lebanon and the specific needs of children and communities in large affected by the Syrian crisis in the context of intervention. Key areas of accountability:

Programme Management

• Manage all programmes in the designated area of Lebanon, draw quarterly project implementation plans, assess progress of implementation of activities against quarterly plans on monthly basis, and document the progress and action corrective measures as and when required. Take the lead in demonstrating practices for quality program implementation.
• Track budget spending and support the preparation of financial reports.
• Ensure that all projects have clear indicators aligned with SC global standards, useful and accurate baseline data and staff friendly reporting formats.
• Ensure donor reporting, evaluation (including impact evaluation), and documentation.
• Ensure that country strategy and the annual country plans are implemented and reviewed in line with the regional and global strategies.
• Maintain clear overview of the political, legal and security context.
• Ensure appropriate participation of staff in the program management and decision making and raising issues in Senior Management Meetings held at central level.
• Represent Save the Children in inter agencies meetings and at Governorate level meetings with government officials.
• Play a key role in partners' capacity assessment and development for building national civil society in the area of Lebanon under his/her responsibility.

Office/Staff Management

• Manage, mentor and motivate the Field Managers to undertake their roles and responsibilities effectively
• In close coordination with Director Programme Operation, Field Managers and all operations staff, optimally manage the field offices, guest houses, vehicles and other assets including adherence of staff to SCI policies and guidelines.
• Ensure all staff in the area of operations adheres to the safety & security guidelines.
• Guide the Human Resources team to develop, maintain and implement the HR strategy.
• Follow SC standards and procedures in terms of supervision, recruitment and evaluation of staff under his/her supervision.
• Support SC visitors to the field Offices and programmes.

Programme Design and Development

• Ensure that programmes are designed and implemented in a comprehensive manner while aligning to SCI national, regional and global priorities.
• In close coordination with Project Coordinators, Technical specialists and PDQ Director improve the quality of programming that shows impact on the situation of children.
• Help respond to opportunities to expand programmes/impact. Help draft/develop concept papers and proposals with staff, Programme Managers, and other Technical Advisors as requested.
• Help staff build on synergies among all projects.
• Support the development/evolution of existing programmes, with the aim of ensuring that staff has the capacity to support others (local partners and government counterparts) in the implementation of quality programmes that show impact.
• Support staff in the preparation and implementation of advocacy plans as related to their programmes.
• Support and represent SCI in coordination, programme learning and capacity building vis-a-vis national policy/advocacy and strategy planning initiatives as requested by supervisor.
• Representation, Advocacy and Coordination.
• Participate in local based coordination with GOs, NGOs and partners.

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development

• Ensure appropriate staffing within the team.
• Ensure that all team staff understand and are able to perform their roles in an emergency.
• Manage team, define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly.
• Ensure the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff.
• Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process. Establish result based system and follow up.
• Manage the performance of all staff in the team through effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measureable objectives, on-going feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations.
• Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities.
• Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance.
• Documentation of performance that is less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/ work plans.

Two area managers will be recruited (North based in Qubayyat and South based in Zahle). The roles are for one year.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• At least 5 years/substantial experience working with a humanitarian/ development organisation, including significant experience working at field level.
• University degree in related academic discipline or equivalent work experience.
• Skills and experience in project/programme implementation, monitoring, review and evaluation preferably from a child rights approach in accordance with the CRC and international humanitarian rights standards.
• Substantial people and programme management experience with good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate at all levels
• Solid experience in grant management,including budget holding and donor reporting.
• Substantial understanding or proven experience of security management issues.
• Ability to produce high quality reports in English.
• Representational, political awareness and advocacy skills.
• Ability to work with limited supervision from line manager.
• Experience of working with partners and a participatory approach.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and computer literate.
• Commitment to and understanding of SCI's aims, values and principles.

Desirable

• Experience and/or an interest in working in Middle East region.
• Ability to communicate in Arabic.

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Please note that the closing date for applications is Tuesday, 11th June 2013. Thus we will review and may interview and appoint before the closing date.

For further information on this role, please see our website at www.savethechildren.net/jobs

How to apply: Please apply with a covering letter and up-to-date CV to the link provided