Country Director (Lebanese Only)

International Network For Aid Relief and Assistance

Job Summary:
The Country Director has overall responsibility and leadership of the Country Office s performance, representing INARA in the country. Guide developing and implementing a relevant program strategy consistent with INARA's global vision, ensuring effective and timely humanitarian response capacity. The role involves leading strategy development, change management, operational planning, and overseeing financial, operational, and human resource management, focusing on the safety and security of all Country Office and visiting INARA staff.
The Country Director will serve as a model for the systematic practice of INARA's values and new ways of working, fostering innovation, building effective teams, coalitions, and networks, and promoting ongoing staff development to strengthen the organization's resilience in the face of change.
In doing so, they will:
• Ensure that INARA's role in the country aligns with the organization's global program strategy and continuously evolves to achieve the greatest impact and relevance in the operating context.
• Position INARA as a partner of choice and an influential voice in altering lives through medical and MHPSS programs.
• Lead the organizational changes required to align the Country Office with INARA's global vision and strategy.
• Lead and oversee the transformational changes required to align INARA in the Country with INARA's program priorities, advocacy strategy, and operational models.

Key Responsibilities:
• Representation and Communications
• Negotiate with the host government and ensure that the Country Office has the legal agreements needed to operate transparently, such as an updated mutually recognized country agreement as well as program-related agreements with the relevant line ministries.
• Ensure that accurate and updated host government relations information is disseminated to INARA's head office and relevant INARA members.
• Ensure access to Country Office facilities and services for all INARA members.
• Maintain an image of INARA in the country that is consistent with INARA s mission, vision, and values and protect INARA's interests and assets.
• Build effective organizational relationships and networks with public, private, and NGO partners, and liaise with host government/donor government and other lead agency representatives.
• Maintain effective communications and relationships with INARA members regarding program development, funding agreements, and staffing.
• Provide regular reports to INARA's head office on the affairs of the Country Office, including security.
• Provide periodic reports to INARA members managing donor contracts in the Country Office according to the specific agreements.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the most current INARA Code and related INARA federation agreements by effectively implementing related provisions.
• Maintain regular and transparent communication with INARA's head office, INARA Members (IMs), and relevant INARA bodies.
• Program Development and Implementation
• Guide the Country Office program staff in the identification of new programming opportunities, guided by INARA's program strategy, donor, and host government priorities.
• Develop and maintain a proposal development capacity, quality control system, and up-to-date pipeline tracking and reporting system.
• Explore possibilities for diversifying program funding consistent with INARA's Global Program Strategy through non-traditional partners, donors, and approaches.
• Ensure, through regular monitoring of activities, effective project implementation and the use of best programming practices.
• Ensure the Country Office s full compliance with donor contractual requirements.
• Implement an effective project implementation monitoring and evaluation system that allows for accurate donor reporting, timely course corrections, and learning and innovation.
• Emergency Preparedness & Response; Safety & Security
• Ensure that the country office has an emergency preparedness plan in place and review it regularly in collaboration with INARA's head office, the INARA Emergency Group, INARA Member Partners, and relevant in-country partners.
• Set the tone for mature safety and security management, leading by example.
• Ensure that the Country Office is implementing INARA safety and security standards, identify gaps, and ensure that gaps are filled in a timely manner.
• Ensure that lapses in safety and security standard operating procedures are followed up at the appropriate levels of management.
• Country Office Strategic and Operational Planning and Implementation
• Lead the development and implementation of the CO s presence review and business plan, Annual Operating Plans (AOPs), regular CO performance reviews, and strategic planning reviews, taking into consideration INARA s Global Program Strategy plan.

Qualifications required:
Education:
• Master s degree in International Relations, Development Studies, Business Administration, or a related field.
Experience:
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in international development and humanitarian affairs.
• At least 5 years of senior management experience in a similar role, preferably with an international non-governmental organization (INGO).
• Proven track record in leading successful program development, implementation, and management in complex humanitarian contexts.
Leadership and Management Skills:
• Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a diverse team.
• Proven experience in strategic planning, change management, and organizational development.
• Excellent skills in financial management, budgeting, and administration.
Communication and Representation:
• Exceptional negotiation and communication skills with the ability to represent the organization effectively to host governments, donors, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Strong diplomatic skills and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with various stakeholders.