Country Director for Lebanon

Job Posting Organization:
Relief International (RI) is an international non-profit organization established to partner with communities affected by conflict, climate change, and disasters. The organization aims to save lives, build resilience, and promote long-term health and well-being. With a workforce of over 7,000 staff and local volunteers, RI operates in 14 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, providing essential services in Health and Nutrition, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Education, and Livelihoods. RI's mission is executed through evidence-based, conflict-sensitive, and climate-smart programming that is inclusive and reaches those in need. The organization is a coalition of three entities: Relief International, Inc., Relief International-France, and Relief International-UK, all working under a unified leadership team to achieve their shared mission.

Job Overview:
The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director for Lebanon is tasked with leading and adapting Relief International’s mission in Lebanon amidst the evolving challenges faced by the country. Since its establishment in Lebanon in 2006, RI has focused on Health and Nutrition, Education, and Livelihoods programs, both through direct implementation and partnerships. The Country Director will play a pivotal role in scaling up programming in response to the fluid situation in Lebanon, ensuring high-quality implementation of existing programs while strategically expanding the mission to attract new donors. This role encompasses high-level representation, fundraising, program development, strategic planning, risk management, program quality assurance, and administrative oversight, all crucial for maintaining the health of the mission. The ideal candidate will possess a dynamic approach to tackle both macro and micro issues, demonstrating strong communication and negotiation skills to effectively engage with internal and external stakeholders, including donors, government institutions, and U.N. agencies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Country Director will be responsible for articulating and executing a strategic vision for the Lebanon mission, leveraging RI’s established presence to develop actionable programs that address the evolving needs of the communities served. Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic Visioning and Resource Mobilization: Develop alliances with partners and donors to secure funding and ensure sustainable impact.
• Quality Program Operational Delivery: Oversee project implementation, ensuring resource allocation and timely spending while maintaining appropriate controls.
• External Representation: Liaise with donor governments and key stakeholders, prioritizing relationship building to secure funding.
• Risk and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security Management: Ensure the safety and security of staff, maintaining updated security plans and driving a culture of security management.
• Team Leadership: Provide leadership and management for national and expatriate staff, ensuring effective performance management and fostering a positive work culture.
• Behavior and Conduct: Uphold the highest standards of behavior, promoting RI’s values and ensuring the safety of the team and communities served.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess progressive proven country leadership experience in implementing small to medium-scale multi-sector programming in complex settings. A degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience is required. Essential skills include persuasive interpersonal communication, public speaking, writing, and strategic planning. Candidates should have excellent project management skills, experience with USAID, ECHO, and UN grants, and a strong background in fundraising with institutional and private donors. Leadership qualities such as coaching and mentoring skills in team management are essential, along with a passion for navigating complex and changing environments. Fluency in English is mandatory.

Educational Background:
A degree in a relevant field is required, or equivalent work experience that demonstrates the necessary skills and knowledge for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have significant experience in country leadership roles, particularly in implementing multi-sector programs in complex environments. Experience in fundraising and managing donor relationships is crucial, as is familiarity with the operational context in Lebanon.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable and would be considered an asset, especially for engaging with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and involves significant responsibilities, including budget management of approximately $5 million USD. The Country Director will report to the Desk Director and will have direct reports from the Lebanon Senior Management Team and Program Team. The role requires effective relationship management with various stakeholders, including donors, government authorities, and interagency coordination groups. The organization values integrity, adaptability, collaboration, inclusivity, and sustainability in its operations.