Culture Resource (Al-Mawred Al-Thaqafy) – Lebanon Office
Location: Furn El Chubbak, Beirut, Lebanon
This post is open to Lebanese nationals only, or Palestinians or other nationalities that hold a work permit.
Type: Full-time
Deadline for Applications: 11 July 2016
Applicants please send their CV and cover letter to: [email protected]
About Culture Resource
Founded in 2004, Culture Resource (Al Mawred Al Thaqafy) is a regional, non-profit organization that seeks to support artistic creativity in the Arab region and to encourage cultural exchange between intellectuals and artists within this region and abroad. The work of Culture Resource emanates from a deep appreciation of the renewable value of Arab cultural heritage, in all its ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity, and from a faith in the importance of generating a new Arab spirit of creativity as a key to liberating the imagination and stimulating progress. Culture Resource also believes that artistic and literary activities are a social necessity which demands the moral and material support on the part of all effective forces in society.
About the Lebanon Office
Culture Resource is a regional organization that has its base in Cairo, Egypt, and a regional office in Beirut, Lebanon. The Lebanon office became functional in August 2015 and currently consists of a team of 4 staff members with a plan to expand the staff during 2016.
The Lebanon office is mainly responsible for overseeing and implementing most of Culture Resource’s regional programs, expand the existing network of partners and beneficiaries with a focus on the Arab Mashreq region, and provide support to the Cairo office in implementing activities outside of Egypt.
The two offices, in Cairo and Beirut, form one entity, and upholding and managing communication and information flow between the two is one of the key responsibilities of senior management staff.
Job Description
Applicants interested in the position of the Lebanon Office Director should meet the requirements and be able to fully assume the responsibilities listed below.
Responsibilities
- Program Implementation related tasks:
- Oversee the implementation of the programs of the Lebanon Office in cooperation with the respective program managers, and provide advice in terms of priority setting and time management as needed
- Oversee and ensure the timely drafting of program reports to donors and the Culture Resource Board of Directors
- Hold regular office meetings and ensure the status of the Lebanon office work is efficiently communicated to senior management in Cairo
- Take on resource mobilization through expanding network of potential donors, contribute to draft proposal and seek other funding channels (through new donors or the private sector)
- Stay abreast of all developments at the program implementation level
- Be knowledgeable and stay informed on developments in the culture sector as well as general socio-political changes and to provide analysis and contribute to strategic direction accordingly
- Provide guidance on members for independent juries that ensure fair selection processes for all grant programs
- Contribute to drafting overall program strategies and work plans
- Ensure that the Lebanon Office program updates are timely and professionally shared with the communication unit for circulation through Culture Resource channels
- Provide staff with general guidance and advice on program implementation as needed
- Office financial administration, managerial and representative tasks
- Work closely and on a daily-basis with Culture Resource Senior Accountant and stay informed of the financial situation of the Lebanon office
- Discuss with Senior Accountant and Senior Management as well as the external financial advisor the financial needs of the office (program related, administrative, etc.)
- Approve purchase orders and support budget development
- Assume full charge of the representation of the Lebanon office before state authorities as needed
- Take charge of all legal aspects of the office and staff registration
- Represent the office vis-à-vis donors, attend meetings and cultural events to maintain a strong visibility of Culture Resource in the public
- Provide guidance to the staff of the Lebanon Office on all HR and employment matters as needed
- Contribute to the development and update of the human resources plan
- Represent the Lebanon Office during Culture Resource Board Meetings as requested
Experience
- A minimum of five years of experience in the cultural sector, and a minimum of 3 years as a team manager
- Fluency in Arabic (verbal and written) is a must, very good English (verbal and written) is required, French is an additional asset
- Knowledge of the cultural scene in Lebanon, the Mashreq in general, and preferably also in other parts of the Arab region
- Strong communication and writing skills and capability to adapt communication according to needs
- Experience in developing strategies and good understanding of monitoring and evaluation principles
- Experience in budgeting (program and administrative) and confidence in handling financial reports and figure
- Ability to manage a team of at least 4 persons and to ensure a positive work environment for all
- A strong interest and understanding of the overall socio-political context of the Arab region
- Flexibility in adapting to unexpected circumstances, and capability to find solutions for challenges and bottle necks
- Willingness to travel
- Readiness to work over-time when needed
Personal skills
- Integrity that ensures performing in an impartial and honest manner at all times
- Professionalism that ensures that work is carried out with dedication, conscientiously and efficiently
- Respect others, empathy, and tolerance
- Strong time-management and organizational skills, and the capability to set priorities that ensure timely and efficient implementation of programs and strategies
- Client/ beneficiary oriented to ensure a positive relationship with all stakeholders
- Team spirit that makes working in a team enjoyable
- Creativity that helps overcome challenges and finds practicable solutions
- Technical awareness that is in line with the modern requirements of the time
- Capacity to work well under stress
