occupied Palestinian territory: Country Director, Occupied Palestinian Territories

Job Description

GVC works in OPt since 1992 through emergency and development programs. Funded by ECHO, UN Agencies and the Italian Cooperation, GVC emergency programs contribute to ensure basic services (WASH, Education, Shelter, Livelihood) and protection to vulnerable communities in close contact with the UN Humanitarian Country Team and the Cluster system.

Within this framework GVC recruits a Country Director who will be responsible to lead the implementation and elaboration of the country strategy in collaboration with the HQ.

Responsibilities

• Recommend and/or determine priorities and supervise the implementation of project work plans as well as supervise and ensure quality of project reporting to donors.
• In collaboration with the Management Board, establish annual objectives and targets, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented deliverables.
• Operate within the defined limits of authority on matters of Finance, Procurement and Human Resources and subject to any limits or conditions that may be imposed as per delegated authority.
• Support HQ in planning, recruiting, managing and developing a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity.
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

• In consultation with the Security Officer support the duties on security as outlined in the GVC Security manual.

• Partnership development

• Keep abreast of and assess the needs of the national government and other GVC partners operating in the country, to identify and plan with them areas for leveraging GVC services/competencies in project delivery.

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships in the country through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of GVC competencies in project service delivery and management to develop opportunities and engagements with new partners.

• Develop a comprehensive partnership and programme development plan in line with GVC Country Strategic Plan and Regional Strategies to grow the pipeline opportunities in oPt.

• Examine risks and opportunities presented by the strategic positioning of GVC in oPt and propose appropriate responses to ensure sustainable operations.

• Lead the identification, design, formulation and negotiation of new projects and programs and draft concept notes and project document briefs for discussion with partners.

• Assist the HQ to maintain public/media/donor relations to actively engage their interest/support in promoting and communicating GVC achievements, competencies and interest at global level.

• Programme Management

• Manage and oversee the preparation of programme documents (including business cases/strategies, policy briefs, programme plans and risk assessments).

• Implement internal performance and quality control systems for in-country programmes including tracking, monitoring and reporting on project delivery and financials.

• Evaluate performance to measure efficacy and alignment of the country with the organizational/regional/country strategies and compliance with GVC standards of accuracy, transparency and accountability and to ensure that service delivery reinforces business development objectives.

• Representation and advocacy

· Represent GVC in oPt and be responsible for the management of host country relations and GVC interests in dealing with government, international and local organisations, networks and media in the Area Programme.

· Represent GVC in strategic meetings, conferences, forums and other public events and contribute towards consolidating and raising the profile of GVC

· Develop and strengthen relationships with local organisations and networks and establish national and regional strategic relations and alliances with partners and civil society working in common cause with GVC objectives

· Maintain good partnerships relations at National and International levels

· Promote GVC's organizational identity and capacity to all stakeholders and partners in oPt and ensure GVC remains relevant to the changing needs of disadvantaged people in the country.

• Knowledge management and innovation
• Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure GVC is continually incorporating best practices approaches in the delivery of regional portfolio.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Contribute to the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.

• Establish priorities, in consultation with the HQ Regional Coordinator, for targeted investments in growth and innovation and as a member of the GVC global management team, contribute to identification and implementation of innovation and continuous improvement in support of organizational excellence and world-class performance.

• Required Qualifications:

• Professional Experience:

· Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in working with NGO or International Organization with increasing responsibility;

• At least 2 years of previous experience in the same position;
• Knowledge of main donors’ policy and procedures (UN Agencies, Europeaid, Italian Cooperation);

· Sound knowledge of Project Management Cycle and Good Humanitarian Principles;

• Internal Monitoring and Evaluation capacity;
• Strong interpersonal relationships and demonstrated ability to leverage business networks and partnerships for continued growth;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the NGO values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

• Valid and clean driving license.

• Education & Skills:

· An advanced university degree or equivalent in the field of Social or Political Science, Development Studies, International relations, Project Management;

· Fluent in written and spoken English;

· Computer skills, in particular MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, MS Project;

· Good communication and leadership skills;

· Good organisational skills and capacity in time-management;

· Ability to perform under stress;

· Ability to think strategically and conceptually and to translate this into concrete results;

· Ability to identify, initiate and maintain good relationships with partner organisations, donors and national authorities including building professional relationships with senior decision-makers and influencers / leaders;

· Capacity to work in group and in a multicultural contest, as well as negotiation/interpersonal skills, flexibility in cultural and organisational terms

• Capacity to autonomously work and in problems prevention/resolution;

• Will constitute a plus:

• Previous experience in Middle East countries;

• Knowledge of Arabic; Previous experience experience in working in the sector of Local Economic Development and/or Governance.

Application procedure: send CV to job.openings@gvc-italia.org, reference P5; only pre-selected candidates will be contacted.

Application deadline: 19^th February 2017