Founded in 2007 by historian Patrick Weil, Libraries Without Borders empowers vulnerable populations by facilitating their access to information, education, and culture. The organization deploys its inclusive and innovative projects in some thirty countries worldwide to enable people affected by crises and precariousness to learn, be entertained, and (re)build their future. Thanks to its innovative tools, its content library, and its mediation expertise, BSF and its partners are tackling the major challenges of the 21st century, such as education, reading and culture, citizenship and social cohesion, health, and employment and entrepreneurship.
At BSF, recruitment decisions are made based on the skills and qualities of candidates in relation to the needs of the organization, through a respectful and inclusive process. BSF recruits and employs people regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, cultural or ethnic origin, or disability.
JOB CONTEXT
BSF operates in emergency or chronic crisis contexts, as well as in certain countries where the organization does not have a field presence with dedicated staff, or may have a partial presence without a fully established mission, called “remote” projects. The countries under the responsibility of this position can therefore quickly evolve according to the different emergencies to which BSF responds and the different remote projects currently being implemented. Currently, the countries managed “remote” are Morocco, Afghanistan, Chad and Bangladesh. The position will also be required to manage operations in the context of long-term crises where the organization is not currently present or as part of responses to sudden humanitarian emergencies.
It will also involve monitoring the Middle East in a context of multiple crises with the Regional Director.
POSITIONING IN THE ORGANIZATION CHART
Within the Operations Department and under the management of the Deputy Director of Operations in charge of international operations based at headquarters, the Geographic Manager will work in close collaboration with the other managers of the international desk, the project advisors, the field teams in the countries concerned but also with all BSF departments and members of the BSF International network, for a concerted and coordinated regional response.
The geographical manager initially supervises the Middle East Regional Director, the Country Representatives or teams present in the field and the program managers or heads at headquarters working in their area.
MAIN MISSIONS
The Geographic Manager ensures the proper implementation of BSF programs across all of its geographical areas.
He/she will have the following specific objectives:
• To carry out strategic, contextual and security monitoring in its area
• To work on developing opportunities in its areas of intervention
• To monitor funding (private and institutional)
• To ensure the proper implementation of activities, from submission to closure of dedicated projects, with a focus on quality and compliance with our internal procedures and donor rules.
• To ensure proper coordination of operations between headquarters and the various BSF technical teams
• The organization and management of emergency responses and mission openings
Main responsibilities:
1. Strategy & Monitoring
• Be on the lookout for the contexts in its area as well as for emergencies more generally and for needs in areas related to the intervention themes to contribute to the analysis of the different regional contexts and to the understanding of the issues.
• Analyze trends and operational dynamics of intervention of other actors involved in BSF themes and the geographical areas concerned.
• Contribute to and support country offices in the development of annual strategies and programming.
• Monitor the security management of the areas covered, carry out or support the development of security frameworks according to the missions and support the operations management in the development of security management tools.
2. Management and monitoring of operations
• Carry out management, in support and coordination with field teams, of the implementation of programs in compliance with available funding, the set schedule, internal procedures and donor procedures.
• Validate at headquarters level the reporting to donors and internal reporting to BSF for the different intervention areas concerned by the program.
• Monitor the progress of project results and indicators, in conjunction with field teams and the MEAL Manager at headquarters
• Contribute to the implementation and proper functioning of the monitoring, evaluation, accountability & learning framework for projects in conjunction with field teams and the MEAL Manager at headquarters
• Responsible for coordination with the various departments concerned at headquarters (Administration/Finance, HR, Education and Content Department, Digital Department, Communication) for the implementation of response operations.
• Act as an interface for the smooth flow of information from headquarters to the field and vice versa and disseminate tools related to internal procedures, ensuring good assimilation and application of the rules by field teams.
3. Emergency responses and new territories
• Deploy BSF interventions in long-term crisis contexts where the organization is not currently present or as part of responses to sudden humanitarian emergencies
• Assess needs through exploratory missions and develop the response
• Mobilize the human, material and financial resources necessary to respond quickly and effectively to the crisis.
• Planning and strategy: Develop emergency response plans aligned with international humanitarian standards
• Coordinate interventions: Organize and supervise the implementation of emergency projects in collaboration with local teams, partners, authorities and other humanitarian actors.
• Ensure the safety of teams in the field and anticipate risks linked to the intervention context.
• Monitoring and evaluation: identify lessons learned and adapt strategies to improve response to future crises.
4. Program Development
• In conjunction with the Deputy Director of Operations in charge of development, monitor funding avenues, identify opportunities and formulate operational proposals adapted to the different areas of intervention of the program.
• Consolidate relationships with operational partners involved in the response and be a driving force for the continuation/development of these partnerships.
• Develop and maintain relationships and communication with donors at the headquarters level.
• Validate and contribute to concept notes and project proposals, in relation to its geographical scope and country offices.
• Ensure compliance with validation schemes at headquarters level.
5. Security
• Supervise risk analysis and monitoring of security contexts
• Oversee the development, review and implementation of mission security plans in coordination with the Director of Logistics and the Deputy Director of International Operations
• Participate in the crisis management unit in the event of a security incident
6. Management
• Ensure the management of people representing BSF in the field, and of operational teams working in its area at headquarters
• Support country offices regarding any HR issues
Please note: depending on the development of BSF's international operations, the geographical scope of the position may change.
Education and experience:
• Minimum 7 years of experience in humanitarian project management in an NGO
• Field experience essential; experience as a Country Representative is an asset
• Seat experience appreciated
• University training in international humanitarian aid, international relations, humanitarian and development or other relevant field
Required skills:
• Perfect command of French and English, both spoken and written
• Crisis management skills
• Knowledge of donor procedures, in particular UNHCR, CDCS, AFD, EU highly valued
• Mastery of the project cycle
• Administrative and financial project management/monitoring and contract management
• Knowledge of the issues and functioning of the humanitarian and international solidarity sector
• Capacity for representation, particularly with donors
Essential cross-functional skills:
• High responsiveness and flexibility
• Excellent writing and synthesis skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Strong spirit of initiative and autonomy
• Resistance to stress, ability to work under pressure and within imposed deadlines
• Excellent teamwork and goal-setting skills
• Ability to work in sensitive and complex political and security contexts and in a multicultural environment
• Excellent listening, negotiation and communication skills
• Sense of humor
• Respect for BSF values and principles
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