The British Embassy in Beirut has a vacancy for a Programme & Portfolio Manager under the Development & Humanitarian Team (DHT), job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) on a fixed term contract until March 2026.

The jobholder will support the delivery of Lebanon’s Humanitarian Programme (£31m in FY 24/25). 

The UK is a long-standing humanitarian partner in Lebanon and our current priorities are:

• supporting the most vulnerable refugee and Lebanese communities to meet their basic needs
• providing essential education and child protection services to some of the most vulnerable and marginalised out of school children
• supporting the Government of Lebanon to develop more inclusive, sustainable, and accountable social protection systems

To deliver our priorities, we combine high-quality programming, in-house technical expertise and diplomacy. Our objective is an efficient and effective overall humanitarian response which prioritises the most in need, regardless of status, whilst pushing for the necessary reforms and protecting the space for development in future. This involves convening external partners as well as working closely with other teams in the British Embassy.

You will be part of a friendly, committed and busy team working, and will gain detailed insights into the humanitarian sector in Lebanon as well as specific sectors of focus for the UK (currently these include cash assistance, education social protection and health). You will play a vital role in ensuring that programmes are delivered in line with UK objectives and standards, and will provide the necessary day-to-day support to ensure that the team meets its wider humanitarian objectives.

You will also need to monitor risks around safeguarding, counter terrorism financing, fraud and delivery challenges. You will work with a broad range of project partners, both local and international, as well as a wide range of Embassy stakeholders.

Roles and responsibilities:

The jobholder will play a key role in the delivery of the mission’s humanitarian programme through excellent programme management of at least one component of the Lebanon Humanitarian Programme, ensuring effective stewardship throughout the programme cycle to contribute to the UK’s overall objectives. This will include active financial and risk management, regular use of delivery plans, inputs to rigorous annual programme reviews, managing a cycle of timely partner and supplier reporting, and field visits as required.

The jobholder will play an important role supporting the programme SRO to ensure high standards of portfolio management across the team and the Embassy.

The successful candidate will need to be flexible and adaptive to portfolio and wider Embassy requirements as the current situation in Lebanon requires an evolving response.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Ensuring effective monitoring at programme and project level including through a robust results framework, maintenance and regular use of Delivery Plans, Annual Review and Project Completion reports, timely partner and supplier reporting, support to project governance oversight bodies, spot checks and field visits.
• Ensuring the effective financial management of projects to ensure VFM throughout the programme cycle, accurate forecasting, timely payment of invoices, and timely submission of financial reports and Annual Audited Statements where required.
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with partner agencies and FCDO’s institutional lead(s).
• Leading risk management, drawing on FCDO’s risk management framework, Due Diligence guidance and Counter Aid Diversion Strategy and best practice, with a particular emphasis on counter-terrorist financing and mapping of downstream partners.
• Ensure strong project management documentation and oversight, keeping all records up to date and using these tools to escalate issues to SROs, as appropriate.
• Supporting the Development & Humanitarian team in the process of new programme design and implementation, including (i) inputting into key written documents and (ii) working with partners to develop robust log frames, theories of change and value for money frameworks for the programme as a whole.
• Contributing to the British Embassy’s Delivery Board to support strategic oversight and a positive culture of compliance with FCDO best practice on programme management.
• Contributing to the mission and life at post through corporate objectives(s).

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Key Behaviours required:

• Working Together – Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
• Making Effective Decisions – Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
• Changing and Improving – Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.
• Delivering at Pace – Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

• Fluent communication skills in English (both spoken and written). Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely. High level of written and verbal English communication skills, including report writing.
• Varied programme management experience, including sound understanding of programme lifecycles, due diligence assessments, finance, risk management, monitoring, safeguarding, counter fraud and other best practice.
• Good interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with external partners.
• Good organisational and information management skills.
• Adaptability, a team player willing to flex in order to deliver across the team/mission.

In addition, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Integrity
• Honesty
• Objectivity
• Impartiality