Program Director

Blumont is a global organization working with communities around the world to help people overcome challenges and create a foundation for progress. Our vision is a world where a community's future is not determined by its circumstances, but by the aspirations of its people.

Whether delivering lifesaving humanitarian assistance, building the infrastructure that stabilizes communities, or creating economic opportunities for individuals and businesses, Blumont teams are committed to making a positive difference in peoples’ lives.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Program Director (PD) will ensure the high-quality implementation of a program focusing on reducing tensions and improving well-being through community engagement in and outside of displaced camps in northeast and central Syria in adherence with Blumont and donor programmatic, financial, administrative, and security procedures. The Program Director will collaborate with the Country Director and Program Quality and Learning (PQL) Division of HQ to oversee all operations of the project.

The Program Director is responsible for the successful implementation of the award through strategic management, agile adaptation to shifts in context and cultivating a cohesive and psychologically supported project team. The Program Director will be responsible maintaining a close and informative relationship with the donor, maintaining a robust learning agenda and managing internal (inter-departmental) communications and external representation.

This position is eligible for expatriate benefits.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

The Program Director is the strategic lead for the project, and as such s/he plans, orchestrates all aspects of project implementation to ensure that objectives of the project are accomplished within the prescribed timeframe and funding parameters. This includes, but is not limited to, monitoring progress toward deliverables, providing necessary reporting and documentation, quality assurance of activities, careful financial and administrative management, and adherence to Blumont policies and procedures and donor rules and regulations. The PD is responsible for ensuring that all staff members and partners engaged in the activities and operations of the projects are trainedon and comply with the organization's safeguarding policies and procedures.

Activity Management:

• Provide oversight and support to field teams in all aspects of project implementation, including case management, grants coordination, protection programming, social cohesion interventions, economic initiatives, and engineering projects. The PD will have a significant role in the direct implementation of the capacity building components of the project.
• Oversee capacity-building efforts for local governance, civil society, and partner staff on effective case management, referral pathways, and safeguarding.
• Lead in the development of all project deliverables, including the annual workplan, quarterly and annual reports, and M&E plan, in close coordination with relevant internal teams and the PQL division at HQ.
• Responsible for systems development to support to deliver high quality programming in compliance with relevant operational and technical standards and guidelines.
• Assist in the annual proposal development, close-out, and start-up cycle of this project.
• Work with field teams to troubleshoot logistical challenges such as road closures and security blocking access to areas of implementation, border bottlenecks, and dynamic security situation.

Networking and Partnerships:

• Ensure that the program has effective and appropriate representation in national and sub-national forums.
• Participate and/or contribute to relevant conferences, workshops, and meetings that will enhance program visibility and learning.
• Liaise with staff from other Blumont sectors/programs to ensure program activities and achievements are integrated and complementary.
• Continue to develop partnerships with relevant authorities and CSOs to create a locally led response.

Project Personnel Management:

• Establish an emotionally and psychologically safe work environment where staff feel confident raising concerns and sharing mistakes to promote learning.
• Approach staff with humility to build effective relationships that lead to trust and openness.
• Mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, establishing a supportive environment while emphasizing accountability, providing regular and timely constructive performance feedback, and leading documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Collaboratively define the roles and responsibilities of M&E field teams with the Director, MEL in the field and the Director at HQ.

Project Earned-Value Management:

• Develop and manage the project workplan, and use the workplan to identify programmatic bottlenecks, risks, and issues and formulate innovative solutions through coordination with the appropriate field and HQ teams.
• Work with the Deputy Country Director -Operations to ensure effective financial management of the project, close monitoring of the monthly burn rate, and minimize over- and under-spend in the execution of the project.
• Conduct regular analyses of project spend versus project achievement, to ensure the budget stays aligned with project targets.
• In close coordination with the M&E and programs team, analyze data to inform project decision making leading to regular adjustments in implementation to continue to achieve project targets in the ever-changing context of Syria.

Administrative Management and Compliance:

• Work in close coordination with the Finance staff to ensure effective financial management of the project, including accurate accounting of all expenses, close tracking of project expenses against the budget, tracking of budgetary commitments to avoid unexpected invoice submissions, and regular tracking of accounts payable and accounts receivable.
• Work in close coordination with the supply chain team to ensure all procurement and logistics management is conducted in coordination with donor rules and regulations and Blumont standard operating procedures. This includes developing systems for the receipt of goods in Syria to confirm compliance with procurement documents.
• Work in close coordination with the HR team to support effective human resource management for all project staff.

Coordination with Stakeholders:

• Interface with donor representatives to represent Blumont and the project.
• Work closely with UNHCR, Shelter & Settlement Working Group, as well as other relevant early recovery/reintegration focused working groups to ensure coordination and avoid duplication of activities.
• Actively engage with the Camp Management, Camp Administration and Local Authorities to advocate for preservation of humanitarian standards in the camps and areas of return and ensure staff protection and community acceptance.
• Effectively coordinate communication between the project team, Country Director, field-based administrative and finance teams (including procurement, HR, and finance), and HQ-based support teams.
• Closely coordinate all aspects of project implementation with the PQL team at HQ, including project managers, technical and M&E support, and support from administrative and financial divisions.

Travel Requirements:

• Damascus based with 50% travel to project locations expected.

Please note: This role is contingent upon the execution of award. Hiring decisions and employment start dates are subject to funding availability.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant area (International Development, Humanitarian Action, Public Policy, Economics, Sociology, Peace Building/Conflict Resolution, Social Work, Urban Planning); Master's degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE and SKILLS

• At least 8-10 years of prior experience with NGO/INGO in governance/capacity building, conflict resolution, peace building, re-integration/durable solution programming, including 1-2 years in programming;
• Demonstrated budget management for programs in humanitarian–development nexus with a budget of more than 5 million USD.
• Knowledge a wide range of donor policies and procedures preferred;
• Demonstrated success interfacing with donor agencies;
• Prior experience in Middle East is required, Syria experience desirable;
• Proficiency in English ans Arabic required; and/or Kurdish preferred.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills;
• Flexibility and ability to work in fluid, ambiguous and rapidly changing circumstances;
• Ability to work under pressure, independently and with minimal supervision;
• Ability to recognize problems and bottleneck and provide innovative solutions; and
• Excellent organizational skills.

Commitment:

Every Blumont team member is expected to carry out their duties in accordance with Blumont’s code of business ethics, core values, anti-harassment policy and PSEA policies.

How to apply

Interested candidates should apply through the Blumont job portal.