Support Services Manager

LOCATION: Beirut, Lebanon

REPORTING TO: Head of Procurement

ROLE TYPE: Full-time, fixed-term consultancy

CLOSING DATE: 5th Dec 2024

ABOUT ARK 

ARK is a social enterprise, empowering local communities through the provision of agile and sustainable interventions to create greater stability, opportunity and hope for the future. 

We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change. 
Learn more about our impact here:  https://www.ark.international/impact 

Purpose of the Role
The Support Services team provides critical operational support to ARK’s British Training and Advisory Team (BTAT) by facilitating effective administration, procurement, logistics, and compliance services. This department is essential to the smooth operation of BTAT's initiatives, ensuring high standards of service delivery and promoting a cohesive working environment for both international and local staff. 
The Support Services Manager is responsible for fostering effective collaboration, communication and prioritisation between the British Training and Advisory Team (BTAT) and the local national support services officers. This role serves as the primary on-site management presence, enabling a synchronised and cohesive approach to supporting BTAT’s objectives. The Support Services Manager will ensure that operational tasks are aligned with BTAT priorities, coordinate across departments to streamline workflows, and provide day-to-day support and guidance to the support services team. 
About you (The candidate)

The successful candidate will be an experienced people manager, capable of fostering a positive, solution-oriented environment that supports productivity and well-being. This role does not require specific expertise in corporate services functions but does require an individual who is adaptable, capable of learning quickly, and able to promote alignment and teamwork across the department. Military experience at the OR8-OF3 rank in the British Army or Royal Marines is preferred to strengthen rapport and credibility with BTAT. 
What you'll be doing

• Collaboration and Prioritisation: Serve as the focal point for aligning the operational needs of BTAT with the activities of the local support services officers, ensuring that task prioritisation reflects BTAT objectives. 
• Team Coordination: Manage and coordinate daily interactions between BTAT and support services, providing guidance to ensure that both teams operate in a synchronised and supportive manner. 
• People Management: Oversee the support services officers in their daily responsibilities, fostering a positive and productive work environment. Provide on-site support to enhance team cohesion and communication. 
• Office Management Responsibilities: Oversee office operations, including maintaining supplies, coordinating with external service providers, and ensuring an organized and efficient work environment in Beirut. Act as the point of contact for office-related issues and facilitate smooth daily operations. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with key BTAT and ARK stakeholders, including the BTAT Operations Manager, Project Manager, Senior Mentors, and team leaders, as well as ARK’s Head of Procurement, IT Manager, Finance Director, and HR Operations and Compliance Manager, to ensure alignment in operations. 
• Planning and Resource Allocation: Develop and implement a structured approach to planning and prioritizing tasks for the support services team. Track progress on key activities and allocate resources effectively to ensure that both BTAT and support services teams meet their operational goals. Allocate resources effectively and ensure tasks are completed within deadlines to meet both BTAT and organizational goals. 
• Process Improvement: Enhance information and process flows within the department to promote efficiency and accountability, proactively identifying areas for improvement in collaboration with the Head of Procurement. 
• Supportive Oversight: Provide day-to-day line management and support to ensure support service tasks align with BTAT priorities and team needs. Formal line management of some support service staff remains with relevant heads of departments, but day-to-day tasking and prioritisation will be under the Support Services Manager and the successful candidate will work closely with all heads of department.