Head of Programme – Gaza Emergency Operations

Position: Head of Programme – Gaza Emergency Operations

Reporting Relationship: Head of Gaza Emergency Operations

Location: Amman, with missions to the Gaza Strip and/or Ramallah/Jerusalem

Deadline: 13/12/2024

Starting date: ASAP

Family duty station: NO

Contract Type: Expatriate (International)

Working context

WeWorld has been working in Palestine since 1992, operating in the field of human rights, humanitarian aid and development to guarantee Palestinian communities access to basic services and available natural resources, in particular with regard to integrated service management, the strengthening of the integrated protection of the population and the enhancement of local socio-economic development in a sustainable and innovative way, with particular attention to the social and economic empowerment of women. WeWorld in Palestine has 5 offices (Jerusalem, Ramallah, Hebron, Tubas and Gaza City). Over the decades, WeWorld has implemented several interventions funded by multiple donors: ECHO and EU, UN agencies as UNICEF and OCHA, as well as national agencies such as AICS, SIDA, GIZ, JICA, GFFO, FCDO, and others. With a people-centered approach, the priorities are always identified together with the communities we serve, with a specific focus on a triple Nexus approach. The significant amount of data and analysis collected and elaborated by WeWorld in oPt inform the intervention of multiple agencies in Country. WeWorld is a member of the Global WASH Cluster and is part of all the clusters at national level: WASH (member of the Strategic Advisory Group), Education, Food Security, Shelter, Protection and Health. More recently, WeWorld has launched emergency operations and activities within Gaza to support the ongoing crisis.

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Programme for Gaza Emergency Operations will provide strategic leadership in the design, development, and quality assurance of WeWorld’s humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip. S/he will oversee the design and implementation of needs assessments and lead the development of programs and project proposals, ensuring that all initiatives meet the highest standards of quality, accountability, and impact. The role also involves managing grant processes, ensuring timely and high-quality reporting to donors and external stakeholders. Additionally, the Head of Programmewill oversee Information, Data, and Knowledge Management, ensuring that relevant data is systematically collected and analyzed to generate evidence of impact and build knowledge.

S/he will report directly to the Head of Gaza Emergency Operations (HoGEO) and will have line management responsibility of one WASH Expert and one MEAL Coordinator.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme Development and Strategy

• Lead the design and development of new projects and programs in line with the organization’s strategic priorities, donor interests, and beneficiary needs
• Collaborate with sector leads, technical advisors, and external stakeholders to ensure high-quality proposals and concept notes
• Lead the design and analysis of needs assessments and identify new areas for intervention, providing recommendations for program expansion or adjustments
• Ensure alignment of program designs with international humanitarian standards and frameworks, such as the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS), Sphere Standards, and donor requirements
• Actively pursue funding opportunities by building relationships with donors, UN agencies, and other partners

Programme Quality and Learning

• In coordination with the MEAL Manager in oPt, develop and implement tools and systems to monitor and evaluate program quality, outcomes, and impact
• Oversee program monitoring and evaluation (M&E) processes, ensuring robust data collection, analysis, and reporting
• Ensure the integration of cross-cutting themes, including gender, protection, and inclusion, into program design and implementation
• Lead learning and knowledge-sharing initiatives, ensuring that lessons learned from past projects are integrated into future program design
• Develop and update program quality frameworks and standards to improve project performance

Grant and Reporting Management

• Oversee the management of grant agreements, ensuring that projects comply with donor requirements and timelines
• Collaborate with the finance team to ensure that program budgets are aligned with project activities and financial resources are efficiently utilized
• Ensure timely submission of high-quality reports to donors, including progress reports, financial reports, and end-of-project evaluations
• Work closely with the procurement, logistics, and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) teams to ensure efficient project delivery

Coordination and Representation

• Represent the organization in coordination fora, cluster meetings, and with donors to advocate for the needs of affected populations
• Collaborate with external stakeholders, including local NGOs, government authorities, and international agencies, to enhance program effectiveness and partnerships
• Act as the focal point for donor engagement and communication on programmatic issues

The duties and responsibilities mentioned above are not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to perform additional duties.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Advanced degree in International Development, Humanitarian Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field
• Fluency in English

Professional experience

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in program management and development within the humanitarian sector, with at least 3 years in a management role
• Proven experience in program design, proposal writing, and fundraising with institutional donors (e.g., UN agencies, ECHO, USAID, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience in M&E, accountability frameworks, and program quality improvement
• Strong understanding of humanitarian standards and frameworks (CHS, Sphere, etc.)
• Experience in budget management, grant compliance, and donor reporting

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to anticipate, understand, and address challenges and opportunities in program development
• Demonstrated experience leading diverse teams and fostering a culture of collaboration
• Strong leadership, communication, and team management skills
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage donors, stakeholders, and partners effectively

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Proficiency in Arabic and/or Italian is an asset
• Knowledge of oPt and/or Gaza context is an asset
• Experience in remote management
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple competing priorities
• Experience working in complex humanitarian contexts, preferably in conflict or post-conflict settings

WHAT WE OFFER

Type of contract: a first 6 (six) month collaboration contract subject to verification of the achievement of specific objectives (these objectives will be agreed together with the Line Manager upon arrival on assignment); a second collaboration contract of 6 (six) months renewable, following the positive evaluation of the first months of contract

Economic conditions to be defined according to WeWorld Expatriates Compensation Policy: Base Salary (seniority/role held) + Contributions (role complex and hardship based on place of work)

Annual leave: 2,5 days/month (working days)

Flight ticket: one return flight every 12 months of contract

Health insurance: covered

Family duty station: NO

R&R: NO

WHO WE ARE

We support people in overcoming emergencies and we strive to guarantee that everyone can have a decent and dignified life as well as opportunities and a better future. We work in 26 countries around the world, including in Italy, with more than 179 emergency, humanitarian aid and development projects. Our activities mainly involve women, girls and young people, actors of change in every community for a fairer and more inclusive world.

We operate in several natural and man-made crisis in various regions of the world. The emergency response, coordinated by the Humanitarian Aid Unit, is composed of multi-sectorial interventions comprising of WASH, EiE, CVA, Food Security, Protection, and others. We operate also in protracted crisis with provision of humanitarian aid through a prevention, emergency relief and rehabilitation approach.

In the last 4 years we have strengthened the regions and the countries where we have been working, we have created new programs, developed new quality and compliance systems and now we need new people who want to join us to build the world we want in the coming years. Join us.