Deputy Regional Director for Programmes

Job Purpose

The Deputy Regional Director for Programs will lead the mission driven development of quality responsive programs with stable funding in the following responsibilities:

• Coordinate annual program planning for each CO in MENA region.
  • Ensure CD has a clear annual program plan and a realistic implementation plan (especially for MEAL, and funding);
  • Work with the CD to modify or adjust as needed throughout the year;
• Ensure, through close coordination with the Country Directors, quality monitoring and reporting on the programs implemented.
• Track funding gaps, analyze opportunities, and engage potential and existing donors.
• Coordinate with CDs and RO and CO finance offices ensure funding and forecasting plans allow for program implementation;
• Cultivate relationships with existing institutional donors (government and church organizations especially) and create plans to leverage flexible funds (private donors or Church related funds);
• Manage and coordinate the work of the Regional program specialists (Education. MHPSS, Livelihoods) as well as the Regional MEAL officer
• In coordination with the JRS International and JRS USA Offices, expand the JRS MENA donor base, especially with institutional donors/ governments.
• Special focus from the RO will be on capacity building and correct staffing in COs to manage these institutional donors.

Main Responsibilities of the Position

1. Strategic: Lead & Advice

1. Co-leads with the Regional Director, the implementation of the JRS Global Strategic Framework by ensuring that JRS is an NGO of quality and remains true to its mission and identity.
2. Serves as a member of the leadership team with the Regional Director; Regional Finance Officer; and the Regional Human Resources Officer.
3. Serves as the acting Regional Director when agreed by the Regional Director.
4. Coordinates annual/ regular program planning in each Country office and ensures that country programme strategies are in line with the regional strategy;
5. Reviews the programme strategy of each Country in the region with the Country Directors and Country Program/ Grants teams on a regular basis.
6. Participates in the recruitment and appraisal of Country Directors, members of the regional programmes teams and senior programmes/ grants staff at country level.
7. Represents JRS MENA’s work externally, networking/building relationships with donors, partners and other stakeholders as needed.

2. Quality Control Improvement

1. Leads regionally the programme quality improvement initiatives ensuring mission alignment and the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).
2. Coordinates a regional learning system including sharing of experience, expertise, and best practices between countries in the region.
3. Provides input for the Performance appraisal of programs and grants officers in each of the COs based on their technical work.

3. Technical Support

1. Ensures that technical support (remote and in-country) is provided by Regional Programmes Team to country offices either upon their request or whenever need is identified.
2. Monitors country programmes on a regular basis and provides updates to country and regional management teams;
3. Ensures that technical standards and guidelines are available to and enforced by country programme teams;
4. Identifies areas for improvement in Regional and Country programs and grants teams, and establishes, and enforces (in coordination with the Country Director and Regional Director) improvement plans with clear goals;
5. Provides induction training to Regional Programmes Team members and senior Country Programs and Grants officers;
6. Ensures, with the Regional MEAL Officer, project evaluations are followed by structured reflection by the project team;
7. Ensures that realistic exit strategies are updated in each project.
8. Liaises with JRS technical specialists in the International Office to ensure proper coordination between local (Project and Country) and global (regional and International) JRS operations.
9. Ensures the implementation of the JRS Global commitment to Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) in all programming.

4. Grants & Partnership Management and Fundraising

1. Leads the relationship management with existing donors, advocates for JRS programs, and identifies changes in donor strategies
2. Leads the ongoing grant planning process to develop effective strategies to meet funding targets, in cooperation with the Country Directors and Regional Director.
3. Coordinates with the Regional Communications and Fundraising officer to nurture private donors and increase the donor base for JRS MENA.
4. Engages existing and potential donors to find synergies between priorities and generates new opportunities.
5. Coordinates with the International office to build the capacities of the Regional Programmes Officers and CO Grants Officers to secure and manage funding and to grow institutional donor base.
6. Coordinates development of regional proposals and reports to donors;

5. Flexibility

1. Works independently and prioritizes tasks.
2. Plans for both long term project development as well as immediate needs.
3. Ensures prompt execution of other reasonable tasks that are within the ambit of the position as requested by the Regional Director.
4. Is available and willing to travel to the Country and Project offices in the region (approx. one time per year to each country) and for other global JRS meetings.

Qualifications, Skills, and Personal Attributes

• Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision and values; ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
• Advanced University degree in humanitarian/development studies or other related discipline.
• Proven experience of at least seven years’ programme management experience, preferably in complex humanitarian environments, at a senior level in a humanitarian or development organization.
• Strong experience in programme design, management, monitoring and evaluation, donor liaison and multi-donor grant management at country and/or regional levels.
• Experience working with institutional donors such as ECHO, or UN agencies.
• Experience in planning and/or delivering on programme and/or funding strategies.
• Experience in sectors of protection, health, education, livelihoods and/or community building are an asset.
• Experience supporting programmes remotely is an asset.
• Fluency in verbal and written English. Arabic and French are an asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of international standards regarding humanitarian interventions (e.g., SPHERE standards).
• Experience with humanitarian accountability.
• Integrity, honesty, flexibility, dynamism, and a good team worker.
• Excellent interpersonal skills that build trust and instill confidence.
• Excellent time management, coordination, planning, and organizational skills.
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as core values.
• Ability and willingness to travel to JRS project sites and adapt to modest living and working conditions.