Lebanon: Country Representative - Lebanon (f/m)

Title: Country Representative – Lebanon (f/m)

Form of Employment: Full-Time

Starting Date: As soon as possible

Duration: One year

Location: Beirut, Lebanon

Background:
Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organisation registered in Berlin. Democracy Reporting International promotes political participation of citizens, accountability of state bodies and the development of democratic institutions world-wide.

DRI is currently recruiting a full-time Country Representative (f/m) for its country presence in Lebanon. In collaboration with, and under supervision of the Director of Programmes and the Regional Manager as his representative s/he will have the overall responsibility for the strategic guidance and implementation of DRI’s project ‘An Agenda for Decentralisation – Local Governance in Lebanon’. The 12 month project aims at analysing the existing legal framework of decentralisation and advocating for improved implementation thereof at the local and national level. The project will be implemented in close cooperation with local CSOs in the different regions of Lebanon.

The project therefore requires the services of an experienced Country Representative.

Tasks and Outputs:
The Country Representative, under the overall supervision of DRI’s Director of Programmes or his assigned representative, the Regional Manager Middle East and North Africa, is responsible for the detailed planning and implementation of all activities of the Project in accordance with the requirements of the Grant Giver and DRI, as well as regular reporting to DRI HQ in Berlin on Project implementation. S/he represents DRI in Lebanon and is also responsible for the management of the DRI Lebanon office.
I. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT

• The Country Representative implements the Project in line with Project objectives and in strict compliance with the Main Contract and the requirements of the Grant Giver.
• S/he ensures that Project products and activities are responsive to Project goals and delivered in an effective, timely and cost-effective manner.
• During the first month of her/his assignment the Country Representative, together with the Project Coordinator, reviews the activities proposed in the Main Contract and proposes modifications and adaptations as necessary. S/he proposes a detailed implementation calendar (work plan) to be agreed with DRI’s Director of Programmes or his assigned representative.
• Throughout implementation, s/he monitors implementation and proposes any modifications to the implementation calendar (work plan) that may be required.
• S/he will provide analysis of Lebanon’s political reforms and support the overall orientation of the Project activities in this respect.
• S/he will draft, review or contribute to reports, briefing papers and other knowledge resources of the Project.
• S/he will oversee the drafting activities (including internal reports and public publications) by the DRI Lebanon team and local/international experts and ensure the accuracy of publications and reporting. Publications need to be signed off by DRI HQ.
• S/he will oversee office opening and office closure as applicable.

II. REPORTING

• The Country Representative reports to DRI’s Director of Programmes or his assigned representative. On matters of day-to-day management, the Country Representative maintains regular contact with the relevant DRI Programme Officer. The Country Representative will submit the following reports:
  • Draft weekly and monthly progress reports to be submitted to DRI Berlin. These reports will cover political context and developments related to the reforms being in focus of the Project as well as providing detailed reporting on implementation during the reporting period, security Activity reports on significant events (such as workshops, conferences, consultation).
  • Spot reports on significant developments (political, security, etc.) and their impact on Project implementation.
  • Monthly financial reports, presenting all costs incurred for the office and all costs related to the various activities of the Project as foreseen in the budget.
  • Draft narrative reports to the Grant Giver as required by the Contract (interim reports and final report). The draft narrative final report is to be submitted to DRI HQ before the completion of the Project.

III. MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

• The Country Representative is responsible for the management of DRI’s Lebanon office and ensures disciplinary and technical oversight of the staff, with the exception of technical oversight of the finance and administration officer which is ensured by the Director of Finance and Administration at DRI headoffice.
• S/he is responsible for human resource management, which includes the selection of candidates for open positions in coordination with headoffice and the approval and signature of time-sheets. DRI HQ will provide support for staff recruitments including posting vacancy notices and reviewing applications.
• In addition to the Project staff, s/he liaises with local and international experts, advises and coordinates all experts in the interests of assuring the highest possible standards of service delivery. S/he evaluates the performance of all experts, local and international and reports any concerns with regard to performance or conduct to DRI’s Director of Programmes or her/his assigned representative.
• The Country Representative will select jointly with DRI HQ local short-term experts. Full documentation in line with international best practice will be provided for all selection procedures.
• S/he is responsible for the necessary procurement procedures and ensures that they are carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Grant Giver and DRI standard practices, and are in line with best international practice.
• The Country Representative manages Project funds and oversees Project expenditure and ensures that disbursements comply with the requirements of the Grant Giver.
• The Country Representative ensures that all invoices and bills are collected and classified in accordance with the structure of the budget. S/he is authorised to make local payments up to 500 EUR. Approval from the responsible DRI Programme Officer is required for expenditures over 500 EUR.
• Act as the Security Focal Point (SFP) and be responsible for the safety and security of all DRI operations and persons contractually affiliated to DRI in the assigned area of responsibility (AoR) and country office.

IV. REPRESENTING DRI, COMMUNICATION

• The Country Representative represents DRI in Lebanon. In doing so s/he will respect DRI’s mission statement of promoting political rights as enshrined in international human rights standards, as well as DRI’s reputation and status as a charitable, non-profit company.
• S/he will coordinate closely with international organisations and embassies in Lebanon and will represent DRI at donor co-ordination meetings. S/he will ensure the regular flow of information to the Grant Giver.
• S/he will engage regularly with local interlocutors, including the government, civil society organisations, the media and others. S/he will make presentations and chair/moderate events and give interviews as required. Agreement from the DRI Executive Director is required before providing any written advice or recommendations on substantive issues.
• S/he will ensure the regular up-dating of the DRI website relative to this Project in accordance with the DRI visibility and communication standards, in consultation with DRI HQ.
• The Country Representative develops a visibility and outreach strategy for the Project and is responsible for ensuring strict compliance with the visibility requirements of the Grant Giver.

V. OTHER TASKS

• The Country Representative will perform other tasks as required.

Qualifications required:

• Masters degree in Law, Political Sciences, International Development / Relations, Regional Studies or other relevant fields;
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible managerial experience within an international organisation, preferably in the MENA region;
• Relevant experience in the areas of (local) governance / democratisation / decentralisation;
• IT skills, particularly in Word and Excel, but also PM and M&E Tools;
• Excellent interpersonal, managerial and communication skills, and a strong administrative track record, including proven leadership, staff and financial management;
• Good negotiation skills and ability to work as part of a culturally diverse team;
• Readiness to intensive travel outside of Beirut;
• Fluency in written and spoken English;
• Knowledge of French and Arabic is an asset.

DRI values diversity and aims to be an equal opportunities employer.

For interested applicants, please send your application (**cover letter, CV and three references**) to mena@democracy-reporting.org. Please include “**Country Representative - Lebanon**” in the subject line and refer to the source you have found this opportunity.

This position is subject to funding.
Closing date for applications: 16 October 2016. The position may be filled before the end of the deadline so early applications are encouraged.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.