Position at SFCG: Country Director, Lebanon
Dear HumanDHS network friends
Please find below information on a position open at SFCG, Lebanon.
Kind regards
Brian Ward
Search for Common Ground, Lebanon: Country Director
Closing date January 9, 2010
SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND
Country Director - Lebanon
Based in Beirut, Lebanon
Job Description/Announcement
The Organization
Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and a European office in Brussels, Belgium, SFCG’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. SFCG seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities. With a total of approximately 400 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 28 offices in 20 countries. SFCG’s programs are in Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and the United States.
Summary of Position
The Country Director - Lebanon will oversee management, implement and growth of a multi-faceted conflict transformation program in Lebanon. A central component of the job is working with diverse stakeholders who are often of opposing political views in what is a volatile political environment, while projecting SFCG’s commitment to being a balanced, unbiased organization in promoting positive, constructive and vibrant Muslim-Western relations. The key qualities needed in this position are a profound knowledge of Lebanon, and the ability to function as both a conflict resolver and social entrepreneur, who is able to develop and implement results-oriented solutions in a very difficult environment. The Director will be based in Lebanon. This position reports to the Director of the Partners in Humanity (PiH) Program, who is based in Washington, DC.
Responsibilities
•Oversee the implementation of the conflict transformation program in Lebanon within the overall vision and goals of the organization
•Oversee the establishment and management of new SFCG-Lebanon projects
•Take responsibility for the financial management and health of the SFCG-Lebanon program, including fund raising, budget management, financial reporting and budget monitoring
•Recruit, manage and evaluate SFCG’s program and project staff in Lebanon
•Oversee ongoing capacity-building efforts of national staff members, particularly in areas of program and budget management
•Monitor and evaluate the results achieved by the different projects and the program as a whole
•Serve as SFCG’s representative in Lebanon
•Work with public and private actors, the media and disadvantaged communities on furthering SFCG’s mission in Lebanon
•Develop and maintain relationships with international and local practitioners, partner organizations, other NGOs, donors, clients, key government officials, etc.
•Ensure compliance with donors’ rules and requirements
•Oversee the management of grants and budgets, and maintain regular reporting to supervisor
•Identify new opportunities for SFCG involvement in Lebanon and in other Arab countries, as may be appropriate
•Stay abreast of the international conflict resolution field to ensure that the program’s work remains innovative and professional
•Maintain local administrative policies and procedures, ensuring that they comply with SFCG policies
•Ensure a security and evacuation policy is in place
•Be directly engaged in the continuing development of the organization, its mission and its staff, through the sharing of experience and knowledge, particularly contributing to its Institutional Learning efforts
As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties.
Qualifications
Essential
•At least five (5) years of experience in international relations, peace-building, development, journalism and/or related fields, including democracy and governance issues, and civil society strengthening
•Bachelor’s degree in a related area required (Master’s degree preferred)
•Extensive experience working in and/or knowledge of Lebanon and the political, social and cultural issues affecting the region
•Knowledge of and experience in conflict resolution, negotiation and mediation
•Significant experience in project management at a high level in a non-profit environment
•Experience with budgeting, project development, fundraising, proposal and report writing, and grants management
•Demonstrated financial management and program administration experience
•Ability to successfully manage and inspire a team in the field of conflict resolution, international development or related fields
•Excellent managerial skills, interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional working relationships
•Dynamic leader with creative problem-solving skills
•Knowledge of major donor rules and regulations, and the ability to manage and prioritize multi-donor funding
•Proven ability in convening and facilitating multi-party meetings and ongoing dialogues
•Experience in setting up and managing monitoring systems and initiating regular evaluations of the program
•Ability to work with people at all levels, ranging from high-level officials to community leaders
•Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
•Written and oral fluency in both English and Arabic
•Ability to function as a social entrepreneur
•A team spirit
Additional Qualifications:
Desirable
•Proficiency in French
How to Apply:
To Apply: Please send a cover letter and current resume to employment@sfcg.org or fax to 001 (202) 572-6287 with the subject heading: Country Director - Lebanon. Please be sure to include projected start date, and to mention you found this posting on Idealist. Position is open until filled. No phone calls please. Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. Please see our web site www.sfcg.org for full details of our work.