Director of Programmes

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and we enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

For over 85 years, we have rallied other determined optimists to transform the lives of all children in more than 80 countries.

We won’t stop until we are all equal.

ROLE PURPOSE

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian non-governmental organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.  We have been building powerful partnerships for children for 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

The Director of Programmes (DoP) will provide strategic program planning, design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation in line with the Programme Quality and Influencing Approach. The DoP will be responsible for leading, managing, and supporting all Programme, Monitoring and Evaluation to ensure the delivery of quality and integrated programming in line with the Country Strategy (CS), as well as organizational standards, frameworks, and procedures. The DoP will also provide external representation and recognition of Plan International Lebanon with various stakeholders for collaborative working relationships to position Plan International Lebanon as a leader in achievement of girls’ rights.

DIMENSIONS Of the Role

• The Director of Programmes (DoP) has a primary responsibility for strategic program planning, design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation in line with the Programme Quality and Influencing Approach.
• The DoP will be responsible for leading, managing, and supporting all Programme, Monitoring and Evaluation to ensure the delivery of quality and integrated programming in line with the Country Strategy (CS), as well as organizational standards, frameworks, and procedures.
• The DoP is managed directly by the Country Director
• The DoP is a member of the Country Leadership Team (CLT), and chairs the Quality Programme Team
• Directly supervises and provides support to the Program Team (Advisors, specialists, managers), , and maintains a close working relationship with the Programme Area teams, if applicable.
• The DoP oversees implementation of the overall programme and is responsible for compliance and cost efficiency with functional interaction with the operational support departments. (Finance, HR, , Ops/Security, grants/partnerships etc).
• The position reports directly to the CD on the management of all risks associated with programme delivery including budget, people management, and legal compliance.
• Facilitate engagement of other managers and staff regarding the Country Strategy to ensure maximum understanding and operationalisation of the Country Programmes.
• The DoP provides strategic direction that guide the annual budgets in programme areas (PA) for submission to the regional office annually.
• The role assists the CD in the development and regular updating of an appropriate emergency preparedness plan and ensure that disaster risk management and humanitarian/Emergency work is integrated in Plan International Lebanon programmes. The role is expected to participate in various Development/Humanitarian Networks in Lebanon and region including peer organizations, UN and other local, regional and international fora.

Management Scope, Reporting Lines, Key Relationships

Direct reports – Thematic Leads: Education, Protection, SOYEE, , DRM,  Gender , MERL, plus any new emerging sector

Key relationships 

Internal

• Country Leadership/Management Team members
• Internal technical networks as relevant
• Global and Regional functional and thematic leads
• Functional Department Heads
• Plan Inc. National Organizations
• Plan Inc. Liaison Offices
• Youth Advisory Board (YAP)

External

• National and Local authorities especially relevant ministries in the country
• Partners organisations
• Other INGO deputies and functional managers and forums organizations in country;
• UN Agencies and INGOs
• Youth and Women organisations
• Donors and other stakeholders

Physical Environment

• Typical office environment in the Country Office.
• Periodic travel to the field and on occasion international travel may be needed.

Level of contact with children

Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic planning, reporting and support to quality programme delivery

• Strategic planning: contribute to the strategic development and management of programmes that are gender transformative in the country by regular reviews and alignment with the Country Strategy.
• Key advocacy issues/asks are identified for each Country Programme with the engagement of programme team and CLT and the relevant strategies, processes are designed and implemented to ensure evidence-based influencing.
• Organisational approaches such as mainstreaming gender equality, resilience and partnership are incorporated across the programmes and projects.
• Support to quality programmes: high quality, integrated and innovative programs are designed and delivered that have sustainable, measurable impacts on the lives of the children, particularly girls and their communities in programme implementation areas.
• Clear understanding and experience of gender analysis and gender transformative programming.
• Knowledge and experience in project cycle management and fundraising
• Monitor programme performance and budget utilization and advise on corrective measures.
• Reporting: coordinate the programmatic reporting process, in particular, quarterly and annual reports, to the Regional Hub (RH) including timely submission of all required reports and implementation of follow-up actions and recommendations.
• The results of M&E and research activities are integrated within the Country Program, Program Areas partners etc. and projects are revised/adjusted accordingly.

• Monitoring, evaluation and research plan supports the Country Strategy delivery with timely and accurate data on outcomes.

Member of the Country leadership Team (CLT)

• Actively participate in CLT meetings to provide strategic inputs/advice and contributing to decisions on policy and strategic direction.
• Support provided to other members to achieve the CS outcomes.
• Provide regular updates to members regarding programme delivery and seek advice and inputs for areas needing attention.

Working in Partnership:

• Plan International Lebanon engages in strategic partnerships with civil society, private sector, academia, intergovernmental and nongovernmental agencies, at all levels so as to work together to ensure equality and non-discrimination for children achieving their rights.
• Plan is engaged in key networks, movements, coalitions and alliances relevant to the improvement of children’s (especially girls’) rights in Lebanon, Middle East and the East Africa sub-region.
• The standards and guidelines for partnership management are regulated updated, understood, adhered and reflected in practice.

Advocacy and Influencing Support

• In collaboration with the programme team, ensure effective and evidence-based advocacy strategies are developed to ensure girls Learn, Lead, Decide and Thrive and specific advocacy asks are integrated in AOGDs.
• Knowledge and hands-on experience in designing, implementing and evaluation advocacy initiatives and influencing campaigns.
• Obtain sufficient support from comms/advocacy team.

Resource Mobilisation and Donor Administration

• Experienced in administration and implementation of major grants & contracts from institutional donors.
• Builds relationships with Plan International National Offices (NOs) and donors for sharing and learning so as to highlight impactful projects for scale up and expansion.
• Support design and negotiation of new projects and engagements with donors.
• Supports the business development team in line with identified needs, PIL's strategy, and donor requirements and priorities.

Team Development and People Management:

• Provide support in the form of coordination, planning, prioritization, coaching and supervision to all programme staff.
• Ensures that the program team are operating as high-performance teams and have clear accountability lines.
• All programme staff understand, adopt and live the Values and Behaviours framework in their daily work and life.
• Team building and maintenance: establish, agree, communicate and monitor standard of performance and behaviours of the team through Individual Accountability Plans (IAP), and key performance indicators (KPI’s) that are agreed annually, and monitored and updated quarterly.
• Team members have the necessary skills, training and development to be able to effectively deliver on their roles, as well as provide the needed coaching and mentoring for career advancement.

Procedures, Process and Applications Support

• Applications and systems support: oversees the in-country rollout of corporate systems, policies, procedures and applications that contribute to programme quality and efficiency as well as meet compliance standards and donor requirements. 
• Global and regional policies and procedures: oversee the rollout of global and regional policies and ensure compliance to standard procedures.

Risk Management

• Coordinate and support programme quality and delivery on programme audit, child protection audit, and gender strategy review exercise and adequate application of management response across all impact areas.

Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality  

• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
• Ensures that Programme staff are properly inducted on and understand their role in upholding Plan International’s policies;
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality are fully embedded in project design, during implementation and as principles applied in day-to-day work of Programme team;
• Ensures that Plan Lebanon contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted. 

Leadership COMPETENCIES

• Courageous, taking lead, challenging oneself and others to achieve purpose, safeguard others and role model values, inside and outside work. Responsible for work and learning, striving to improve. Self-aware, resilient and constructive in embracing change. Striving to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. Challenging self to be bold, responsive, focused and innovative.

• Creating a climate of trust inside and outside the organisation by being open, honest and transparent. Holding self and others to account for decisions and impact on others. Working effectively with others, inside and outside the organisation, including sponsors and donors. Actively supporting colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. Coming together with others to create and implement solutions in teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities and our partners.
• Respecting all people, appreciating differences and challenging inequality in programmes and the workplace. Supporting children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. Empowering other staff to give their best and develop their potential.
• Understanding Plan International’s purpose, priorities, values and approaches in our work context. Adhering to relevant policies, processes, practices and standards, and being pro-active in continuing technical and professional development

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES

• Articulates the purpose, values, and global strategy to a range of audiences. Can explain how Plan International will deliver on its objectives and communicates the implications for their team.
• Understands the purpose, lines of accountability and decision-making capacity for each structural element of the organisation. Helps their team to understand where they sit within the organisational structure.
• Considerate of the political, economic, social and cultural climate of the local operating environment and the implications for our work and are aware of the local business environment, including financial, employment, and business laws. 
• Advanced knowledge of programmes according to Plan International’s financial management procedures, including: the grant agreement process, the cost recovery process, forecasting, cost allocation principles, apportioned costs and scheduling and monitoring of expenditure, reports against programmes and budgets in line with the Funding and Sponsorship Agreement Document.

Technical Expertise, Skills And Knowledge

Qualifications/ experience essential:

• A Master’s Degree in Development, Social Work, Social Sciences, International Relations or similar field.
• 5-10 years of relevant experience in INGO Sector or demonstrated equivalent combination.
• Proven experiences and ability to coordinate and collaborate with different civil society and Community based organization. 
• Demonstrable working experience in conflict/post conflict context and Humanitarian and Development programme. 
• Knowledge of developmental agendas in complex and protracted development and humanitarian landscape.
• Good Experience in context, funding and market analysis.
• Ability to communicate effectively and authoritatively on area of expertise, and influence others to reach common goals. 
• Demonstrated track record of proposal writing and budget design and management
• Experience in leading team, coaching and mentoring, especially managing a large team in complex situations.
• Excellent experience in conflict resolution and analysis.

Languages required

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic Qualifications/ experience desirable:

• International experience in managing development programme
• Experiences in managing Humanitarian & Emergency response programming
• Knowledge of key programme areas such as child protection, education, livelihood and economic empowerment.  
• Knowledge of development and humanitarian issues affecting girls, adolescent girls and women is preferred.
• Ability to influence without power

Technical Competencies

Knowledge:

• In-depth knowledge of gender and inclusion and global/local development issues, with knowledge in girls’ rights and child rights, feminist movements, the key actors and institutions, and the power dynamics involved.
• Mastery of key gender inequalities, gaps, barriers and opportunities at the national, regional and global level and gender programs, and especially for children and girls.

• In-depth understanding of the policies, processes, institutions and organizations that shape the development and humanitarian context and standards within Lebanon.

• In-depth knowledge on different types of partnerships and civil society strengthening and capacity building. Understanding issues, principles and strategies and their root causes and working with Plan’s principles and a range of strategies and approaches to improve outcomes.

Skills:

• Mastery of the ability to analyze the social and political structures, dynamics and power relations that enable/exclude girls and boys from enjoying the fulfilment of their rights and equality.
• Excellent relationship building skills – networking, and stakeholder management skills

• Ability to identify, analyze and monitor diverse, relevant external actors to work with and understand the purpose and implications of working with them.
• Experience in developing strong, equal and robust partnership contracts or experience in strengthening communities.
• Experience in capacity building
• Hand in experience and skill in result based MERL system

Behaviors:

• Role model Plan values and behaviors both internally and externally.
• Engages sensitively with community members on issues of gender equality, demonstrating an understanding and respect for the local culture, context and laws.
• Promotes equality, and girls’ empowerment in Plan’s work and in its work with partners.

• The ability to build collaborative working relationships with all stakeholders including government entities at all levels.

• Communicates effectively at a high level and with a range of appropriate styles for different audiences.
• Builds capability through knowledge sharing, networking, mentoring, coaching and advocates the importance of knowledge management.

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

We create a climate of trust inside and outside the organization by being open, honest and transparent. We hold ourselves and others to account for the decisions we make and for our impact on others, while doing what we say we will do.

We strive for lasting impact

We strive to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. We challenge ourselves to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative.

We work well together

We succeed by working effectively with others, inside and outside the organization, including our sponsors and donors. We actively support our colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. We come together to create and implement solutions in our teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities and our implementing partners.

We are inclusive and empowering

We respect people, appreciate challenge in our programmes and our workplace. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.

Location: Beirut, Lebanon

Type of Role: FTC

Reports to: Coutnry Director

Grade: E

Closing Date: 24-09-2024