Regional Program Officer, Middle East

Location:

Position Location:

Description

Title: Regional Program Officer, Middle East

Location: Remote – in any country office of Relief International operations (+/- 2Hr difference with Amman)

Reports to: Regional Program Manager (RPM), Middle East

1.  Context

About Relief International

RI is active in 15 countries around the world, including some of the most fragile: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen.  Often, RI is the only organization providing assistance to highly vulnerable communities.

·    Globally RI employs about 5,000 staff and auxiliary workers

·    97% of staff are local nationals and about 90 international (expat) staff

·    2022 programs budget is about $130M

About our Country Program

Relief International is a prominent humanitarian organization operating in multiple Middle Eastern countries. Our work spans across Turkey, where we support refugees and host communities affected by recent earthquakes. In Lebanon, we address the needs of both refugees and vulnerable host populations amidst a high concentration of refugees per capita. Jordan hosts around a million Syrian refugees, and we operate in refugee camps and urban centres to provide essential services. Finally, in war-torn Yemen, we deliver urgent humanitarian aid to a population where 75% are in dire need due to a collapsed healthcare system and skyrocketing prices for basic goods. For Syria Relief International is one of the leading providers of healthcare services in northern Syria delivering healthcare to over 1 million people annually

2.  Job Profile

The Middle East Regional Program Officer (RPO) will support Program Management in the region and be responsible for program and grants management backstopping and communication for the Middle East portfolio. As member of the Middle East Regional Support Office (RSO), the RPO works with the RPM and the Regional Program Director to provide ongoing support to country program teams and ensure coordination with relevant departments in RSO and in the Global Support Office (GSO). The RPO will also liaise with regional and global team members to ensure that RI is accurately and promptly complying with donor requests related to reporting management.

This position will undertake key tasks and deliverables for the Middle East program portfolio, currently consisting of humanitarian and development programs in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, as required and assigned to, by the Middle RPM or RPD.

3.  Key accountabilities and responsibilities

The RPO will execute this common set of duties and practices related to portfolio management, contributing to excellent writing, review, analysis and communication; and exhibiting initiative, flexibility, creative thinking and problem-solving skills. The position will provide support also to the Program Development Manager whenever needed.

Program Management Support

• Under the supervision of the RPM, provide in-person and remote guidance and support on implementation of sound project cycle management. In particular,

o   Mobilization: Together with the RPM ensure the timely project mobilization for all new projects in the region, involving country program, regional and GSO relevant departments.

o   Implementation: Support and ensure that the program teams follow RI Program Management Framework and use project management tools, such as action plan, budget projections, procurement plans, M&E plan as set out in the mobilization plans.

·       Support RPM in tracking country offices completion of mandatory program management tools

·       Support RPM in ensuring that all program records are kept in appropriate folders and available for audit purposes.

·       In collaboration with RPM, Regional MEAL Manager, Regional Advisors, promote sharing/learning across the regional portfolio and support in holding lessons learned events

·       Actively support the constant improvement of program quality and management efficiency through contributions to country, regional initiatives, such as SOP/tool/template development/refinement.

·       Support in the Key Performance Indicators process at RSO level and facilitate preparation of analysis to be shared with RPM and RPD

• In collaboration with RPM and RPD train Program Teams on RI Program Management Framework and other relevant program management related topics – support also RSO in the revision of key tools as required
• Support Regional Program Manager in developing and delivering guidance and training on program management cycle, reporting, and other relevant topics

Grants management

• Regularly update regional grants and reporting trackers to ensure country programs are aware of pending submissions.
• Support RPM to ensure on-time submission of all donors’ reports. Ensure high quality content. Provide final copy edit and/or support in writing assigned sections, upon request. Ensure submission under certain donors’ dedicated platforms.
• Together with RPM support the mobilization of new grants, reviewing grant agreements and modification, and flagging relevant reporting and donor program information to country teams.
• Support the RPM in maintaining updated Middle East grant and program folders on Box, coordinating with Regional Awards Manager as necessary
• Whenever needed and requested, support coordination of grant modifications, sharing resources/guidance with country teams, facilitating reviews/input from regional and global departments as needed

Communication and coordination

• Work with the RPM to ensure RI Intranet content for Middle-East page is updated on a regular basis – in coordination with other RSO members and country offices.
• Ensure Country Offices snapshots are kept up to date and work with country offices to develop program summaries/capacity statements and any other communication/program document as needed (i.e. success stories, meeting presentations, etc.)
• Support country offices and RSO in compiling lessons learnt and develop briefs in coordination with Technical Advisors and Country Offices

·       Support the Regional Programs Team with ad-hoc and ongoing research and summaries on humanitarian crises as needed

Support Program Development Initiatives

·       As requested by RPD, provide direct support to Regional Program Development Manager in the revision of proposals developed at Country Office level, ensure proof-reading, consistency, etc. to facilitate submission to donors.

Culture and conduct

·      Demonstrate and uphold RI’s values, ethics and compliance, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

·      Uphold and promote RI’s commitment to ensuring the safeguarding and safety of the vulnerable communities we serve.

·      Support systems that prevent sexual exploitation and abuse and promotes the implementation of the Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies.

4.  About you

This position demands a dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast paced environment. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Key desirable qualifications:

·    Master degree in International Development, Humanitarian Studies, Management Studies, or related field in alignment with the relief and development sectors

·    At least two years of professional experience in supporting humanitarian/development programming, ideally in grants/project management. Familiarity with key donors i.e. US Government, ECHO, UN preferred

·    Fluency in English required

·    Excellent independent and collaborative narrative writing and analysis skills

·    Proven level of computer literacy and high facility for using the Microsoft Office Suite (with emphasis on Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

·    Ability to travel internationally to support country programs

·    Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex activities, meet deadlines, and exercise sound judgment

·    Logical and critical thinking skills, and a comfort working with complex budgets and spreadsheets

·    Superior oral and written communication skills, including consensus building and triangulation of information from multiple stakeholders.

·    Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team with a high degree of drive and initiative

5.  RI Values

Guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, as well as “Do No Harm,” Relief International Values:

We value:

·    Integrity

·    Adaptability

·    Collaboration

·    Inclusivity

·    Sustainability