Middle East North Africa (MENA) Hub Director Full Time NEW

Reporting to the EME Senior Director – Programs, the MENA Hub serves as the most senior leadership position in this region. The Director holds the overall responsibility and accountability for the strategic, programmatic, financial, HR and operational management of Habitat for Humanity’s work across MENA.

This role requires a holistic, “single program” approach to regional leadership, ensuring alignment and coherence across all country programs. The Director directly supervises the MENA Hub team and Country Representatives currently in Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt, and may assume oversight for additional countries within the broader region as needed.

The Director is expected to be both a visionary leader as well as an effective manager. This role will ensure a smooth transition to the new organizational structure ensuring business continuity, strengthening our strategic relevance and resetting resource mobilization embracing a growth mindset from day one.

The Director assists the Senior Director – Programs, the Area Vice President and members of EME ALT with effective development and implementation of Habitat’s strategic vision across MENA in compliance with internal policies and systems applying the necessary level of risk management. This role collaborates with EME Area Office representatives and relevant functional counterparts to ensure alignment with strategic priorities, consistency in execution, and adherence to the RACI framework.

The position articulates, communicates, and advocates the HFHI mission and vision and leads the implementation of the organization’s strategy and business plans in the region, with a strong complementary focus on building the donor and program pipeline and ensuring organizational stability and sustainability.

Overall, we expect that the Director MENA Hub will go beyond a typical regional approach and will be rather heavily involved in the development of country-specific portfolios complementing localized efforts led by the Hub SMEs and Country Representatives.

Unlike typical regional management models, the Director will manage a Hub team that has the responsibility for the design, development and implementation of a “single program” based on thematic areas rather than geographies.

Essential Duties

Briefly state the duties of the role in 5-8 broad statements in order of importance. If possible, provide approximate % of time commitment required for each.

Strategic Planning & team leadership (25%)

• Lead the development, implementation and monitoring of the MENA Hub’s strategy & operational set-up responding to regional stressors, opportunities and Habitat’s value-add
• Lead, inspire and support the MENA Hub team to execute Habitat’s common vision and collectively contribute to the MENA strategy. Direct management and oversight of all programs in the region.

Operations Management & Fundraising (25%)

• Responsible for the annual planning and budgeting in the MENA Hub countries.
• Manage the implementation of the country program strategies (Hub model) and reporting of measurable outputs across MENA
• Oversee the program development and management in MENA Hub countries and ensure implementation of projects in accordance with HFHI standards and procedures. This includes identification of communities and development partners and owning and managing these relationships.
• Oversee the MENA Hub team, including technical (SMEs), business operational representatives (Fin and HR) and the Country Reps in Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and additional countries within the broader region as needed.
• Provide technical assistance to in-country project teams as needed
• Champion resource development efforts, both regional and country specific, through monitoring existing development plans, introducing new funding ideas, supporting the identification, qualification and approach of potential donors and actively contributing with fundraising pitches/prepositioning and proposal writing.
• Foster accountability through monitoring and reviewing of targeted program operations.
• Provide HFHI and other internal stakeholders with various reports that may be required from time to time.
• Participate in assigned global program initiatives and projects and ensure that there is a close working relationship with relevant departments in EME and with HFHI staff in other offices.
• Represent HFHI’s business development interests at relevant meetings, events, and within development partner-specific peer networks.

Compliance & Risk (15%)

• In consultation with the legal department of EME Area Office and through direct management of individual Country representatives, ensure the a) full local statutory compliance (legal, tax, financial reporting, labour etc.), b) compliance with HFHI policies, procedures and standards c) compliance with donors’ requirements.
• Implement effective internal controls across the MENA Hub while improving processes and policies in support of organizational goals. Formulate and implement departmental and organizational policies and procedures to deliver effectives and efficiency in operations, monitoring adherence to rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Identify and escalate potential organizational risks at Hub level.
• Identify and report potential safeguarding issues at Hub level.

Relationships & advocacy (15%)

• Support the development and implementation of a communications strategy to promote the organization programs and brand in the region
• With the support of HFHI Advocacy Unit, oversee the development and implementation of a MENA advocacy strategy to promote policies and systems that advance access to affordable housing locally.

Brand protection (15%)

• Brand positioning / pre-positioning: Liaise with internal and external stakeholders, developing strong relationships with government authorities, donors, UN system, partners, researchers, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Brand Representation – Representing the organization in meetings with sector stakeholders and donor visits
• Contribute to development of partnership models and promotion of HFHI programs and achievements
• Other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs or Development, Political Science, Public Policy, Urban Planning, or related field
• 10 years of senior leadership experience with international development NGOs
• Experience with traditional and immerging institutional donors including the Gulf countries.
• A proven track record of both winning and executing multimillion projects
• Extensive regional experience within Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
• Management of teams and experience operating in a matrix structure Highly Proficient
• Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic language
• Active support of HFHI Values:
• Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves
• Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular
• Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission

Preferred Requirements

Preferred Knowledge & Expertise

Competencies and other specific related to this job and level preferred.

• Experience working with private philanthropy
• Experience operation withing a federated network

Safeguarding: HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguarding our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.