Job Title:

Senior Humanitarian Response Manager – Turkiye-Syria

Directorate/Cluster:

Programmes

Unit/Team:

Programmes

Grade and Salary:

E+

Contract Type:

Fixed Term – 12 months

Location:

Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey

Budget Holder:

Yes o        No x

Reports to: (incl matrix reporting)

Direct reporting:  Regional Director AAAR

Matrix reporting: International Humanitarian and Resilience Team (IHART) Director

Direct Reports :

Partnership & Compliance, Manager, Humanitarian Officer, PQMEAL Coordinator, Reporting and Communication Officer

Matrix Reports:

 NA

DBS (CRB) / Police Check:

Yes o        No  o

Background

ActionAid is responding to the humanitarian crises in Turkiye and Syria which has been classified as a Red Alert in the ActionAid Federation. The earthquake has further exacerbated the situation for the 4.2M people in northwest Syria that were already relying on humanitarian assistance and suffering the consequences of the 12-year war.

Building on ActionAid’s existing partnerships and alliances in Turkiye and Syria, we are supporting a local partner-led humanitarian response focusing on providing immediate humanitarian relief, Shelter, food and NFIs, emergency medical care, psychosocial first aid and creating safe spaces for women and girls to prevent and protect against gender-based violence.

ActionAid Arab Region Office (AAAR) is leading this response on behalf of the Federation with ActionAid International Humanitarian and Resilience Team (IHART) in line with ActionAid’s internal emergency classification policy.

In line with ActionAid’s humanitarian signature, target groups include the most vulnerable people, women, girls and young people.

Role Overview:

This is a  senior management role to ensure ActionAid Arab Region (AAAR) is strategically positioned to engage in humanitarian response to the ongoing crisis in Syria.

The purpose of the role is to coordinate and manage the Turkiye/Syria crisis emergency response programme implementation in line with ActionAid’s human rights-based approach and humanitarian signature.

This role is one of the senior management team members. This role provides leadership and management of the humanitarian response program in Turkey/Syria in line with the established policies, principles, and operating practices, as well as good management practice. The role holder presents AAI in humanitarian forum, as quired and delegated by the Regional Director.

The SHM requires strong and proven experiences in coordinating humanitarian response programmes in collaboration with local partners, humanitarian fundraising, effective and timely donor contract management skills as well as the ability to provide oversight of programme needs and effectively link with ActionAid stakeholders for the response.

Areas of Responsibilities

Key Activities

Programme Strategy and Plan Development

• Review and update the strategic plan for the humanitarian response in alignment with ActionAid's approach and humanitarian signature.
• Designs activities that address the immediate needs of the crisis-affected population while also considering long-term impact and sustainability.
• Lead and manage rapid needs assessments in coordination with local partners and ensure outcomes are well reflected into the response medium/long term plan
• Lead on the development of a proper remote management system and ensure coordination is maintained with all partners

People Management

• Ensure clear internal communications protocols are developed, including clear communication channels within the team participating in the response.
• Motivate the team to deal with the hardships of working in tough circumstances and ensure the wellbeing of staff is taken seriously as an integral part HR processes.
• Mentor/coach key team members as appropriate.
• Conduct performance appraisals for emergency response team staff and ensure regular feedback and mentoring on individual performance is provided

Budgeting and planning

• Oversees the implementation of the Emergency Response plan and ensure quality management of all interventions, both programmatically and financially (spending, M&E...) while mainstreaming ActionAid’s humanitarian signature.
• Develop the monthly budget required by the ERP and share it in a timely manner

System Development, Update and Compliance

• Ensure the ERP prioritizes the feminist analysis and women’s and young people’s rights perspective, women’s and young people’s leadership and protection programming which are integral to the emergency response plan.
• Ensure that all planned activities consider the local context and are in line with Red Cross and NGO Code of Conduct, Sphere minimum standards (if applicable) and humanitarian principles.
• Ensure the Core Humanitarian Standards are implemented across the response program and that transparency and accountability tools, processes and mechanisms to rights holders are developed with active participation of affected communities.
• Ensure appropriate external engagement in clusters, civil society forums and with donors, local and national authorities etc.
• Ensure the operationalization of the plan supports the aspirations of ActionAid’s global WHS/Youth Compact commitments on localization and protection of women, children, young people, and vulnerable groups.
• Support the Global Humanitarian Signature Advocacy Lead in developing policy positions, establishing policy/advocacy plans that are linked to program activities, advocacy engagements of the partners and with initiatives at national, regional and global levels ensuring a bottom-up approach to policy work.
• Responsible for the implementation of security protocols as per AA’s Security Policy and in coordination with the safety and security lead.
• Responsible for the implementation of the SHEA and safeguarding policies of AA with support from SHEA & Safeguarding team of AA.
• Commitment to AA’s vision, mission and values, especially the rights- based approach and the principles of equal opportunity as outlined in ActionAid’s Code of Conduct.
• Commitment to embedding feminist leadership and ActionAid’s humanitarian signature.
• Commitment to adhering to and promoting ActionAid’s approach to Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse and other Safeguarding concerns (including child abuse and abuse of adults at-risk)

Monitoring

• Working closely with PQMEAL advisor and Manager, ensure the Emergency response programme has a well-developed M&E framework and that data collection system is in place and well coordinate with local partners.
• Develop and implement effective monitoring and evaluation systems, in consultation with designated PQMEAL focal person of AA, for the ERP.

Reporting

• Ensure reporting is submitted in a timely manner and the Emergency Response Program adheres to all donor requirements and is communicated in a timely manner.
• Develop sitreps on the emergency response on a regular basis and ensure timely dissemination of reports and information in close coordination with IHART information officer.
• Develop strong reporting practices of the emergency response to relevant ActionAid members/IHART to meet donor reporting expectations

Finance Management

• In coordination with IHART management accountant and AAAR finance department, ensure the response programme has a solid financial management plan and that the budget is closely monitored, and over/underspend are immediately reported.
• Ensure ethical and statutory financial standards are being followed monthly and quarterly and ensure end of project reports are completed on time.

Capacity Development

• Support the development of capacity strengthening plans for staff and partners.
• Perspective building of ActionAid staff, deployed staff, and volunteers on humanitarian response & HRBA, the humanitarian signature and humanitarian standards.
• Advise the Regional Director (AAAR) and IHART on additional capacity requirements to deliver an effective response and support additional deployments/recruitments.
• Ensure all staff and partners are inducted on sexual exploitation and abuse and safeguarding standards, including setting up clear reporting channels for feedback and complaints on child protection, safeguarding and PSEA.

Communications and public relations

• Provide Emergency Response Program information to the Media and Communication focal person in ActionAid Arab Region or internationally if required.
• Support the communication and information needs of ActionAid International in coordination with international communication focal person and IHART’s Information Officer
• Represent ActionAid and promote the organization in relevant meetings and forums.
• Network with other organizations, partners, CSO platforms and other stakeholders in the country to build alliances, coordinate program support required from other agencies which contributes to the achievements of the plan.

Fundraising

• Working closely with the Humanitarian and Resilience fundraising specialist, coordinate an appropriate grant pipeline, identify funding streams and support the development of funding submissions to institutional donors

Others

• Any other tasks as required by line manager

Key Relationships to reach solutions

Internal (to ActionAid or team)

Regional Director, Head of Program, IHART team

External

Partners, donors

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree and MScs in International development/humanitarian aid or relevant field

Essential Knowledge

• Understanding of women’s and young people’s rights, basic needs, livelihoods, protection and psychosocial programming in both sudden onset and conflict settings and a proven ability to design community-centered programs.
• Understanding of and commitment to humanitarian principles and minimum standards for crisis and disaster response, including the NGO/Red Cross Code of Conduct, Sphere Standards, Core Humanitarian Standard, ActionAid’s human security in emergencies and conflict strategy and approach, and security policy and procedures.
• Understanding of and commitment to women’s and young people’s rights and cultural sensitivity.

Essential Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in managing humanitarian and development programs (in a complex humanitarian emergency context) of similar size and nature.
• Experience of team management and working in a cross-cultural environment
• Proven experience of leading humanitarian programs and an ability to use a variety of approaches and methodologies.
• Strong background working with partners in cross cultural settings and supporting the professional development of local organizations and staff. Including provision of training, mentoring and coaching support.
• Proven ability to work with government authorities, UN clusters, NGOs, CSOs, humanitarian and development agencies and community groups.
• Demonstrated experience of working in insecure environments and strong understanding and adherence to ActionAid’s Safety and Security Policies.
• Strong capacity in financial management, fundraising and donor management and ability to work to deadlines.
• Commitment to the importance of downward accountability to rights-holders and transparency in humanitarian response.

Language Proficiency

• Excellent command of the English & Arabic language both verbal and written.

Essential Skills

• Leadership skills
• Strategic planning
• Emotional intelligence
• Communication skills
• Coordination and collaboration
• Data analysis
• Problem solving and decision making
• Conflict resolution and mediation
• A high level of computer competency (excel, word, email, internet)
• Consultative and empowering working style and willingness to learn from others.
• Ability to work well under pressure and in response to changing needs

Personality Trait

• Work creatively, innovatively, and effectively with limited direct supervision.
• Demonstrated initiative, resourcefulness and integrity.