Racha Nasreddine Email & Phone Number

Lebanon

Amman, Jordan

 Developed 2023-2026 Arab region strategy, focusing on humanitarian crisis response, peacebuilding, social and climate justice, and women and youth empowerment Orchestrated emergency response to the Syria-Türkiye earthquake in February 2023, managing an £8M budget and leading recruitment and onboarding of senior leadership team. Led development and execution of comprehensive communication, advocacy and engagement plan, facilitating fundraising efforts for the response. Increased annual budget from £2.5M to ~£6M within nine months, expanding organization's capacity and impact. Led on a wider scale engagement with key donors, development actors and local organisation in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan to amplify ActionAid’s work and help position it as a key contributor to the humanitarian and development agenda (EU FPI, EU Delegations, DG ECHO, FCDO, SIDA…), leading to winning one EU contract in Jordan and shortlisted for one in Syria.  Overseen the business operations of ActionAid in the region including financial management (planning, analysis and control), risk assessment and management and administration.  Directed merger between ActionAid and Alianza por le solidaridad in Jordan, creating smooth transition by managing legal, HR, programmatic aspects, and relationship handover within newly formed ActionAid federation member. Spearheaded recruitment and onboarding for key management roles, forming a high-performing senior management team and igniting alignment with organization's strategy. Identified operational inefficiencies and financial deficits within the organization, leading comprehensive operating model review and implementing restructuring Established and executed change management plan in alignment with operating model review, guiding senior management team through transformation process.

Beirut District, Lebanon

 Directed British Council Syria response team, managing a £15M+ project portfolio across multiple countries, ensuring inclusive, equal, and conflict-sensitive delivery with quality assurance systems in place. Built relationships with key UN agencies and donors in Lebanon, Jordan and Türkiye, mobilizing £15M+ across four years for projects in education, youth development, peacebuilding, and culture protection, positioning British Council as a major actor in Syrian crisis response. Coordinated evacuation of British Council premises in Damascus, negotiating exit conditions with staff on unpaid leave since 2011, slashing operational costs by ~£150K annually. Served as senior responsible officer for projects funded by donors including, European Commission, German Foreign Office/GIZ, UK Aid/UK FCDO, UNHCR, and UNICEF, leading steering committees and steering robust governance across all programs within Syria response. Implemented operational management for Syria office in compliance with global standards, developing a remote management system maintaining financial control and risk monitoring, leading to zero internal audits findings. Developed refreshed strategy focused on crisis response in neighboring countries through youth and peacebuilding, education in emergencies, and arts and culture protection programs. Led core team of 10+ people dispersed across multiple countries and maintained structures and mechanisms to guarantee maximum collaboration and engagement.  As Regional Transformation Coordinator, coordinated the transformation across marketing, programs, and teaching departments in MENA region, addressing financial gaps and new ways of working due to COVID-19; led MENA transformation board and managed regional change.

Based In Beirut

I led the programmes team (three staff) and developed a model for remote working across multiple countries (Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and UK). I also set up mechanisms for quality delivery assurance, risk management, and monitoring, evaluation and learning. I led on the development, spending and control of annual programmes budgets, in addition to fundraising including managing a business development pipeline and leading on technical conceptualization, design and winning of proposals.

Beirut

Grant making:o Design grant making programs (focus, objectives, priorities, criteria, etc.) in coordinationwith the Executive Director. Draft relevant materials (guidelines, applications,announcements, interim report, and final report forms)o Review initial concept notes; provide guidance and technical assistance duringapplication process, including drafting of proper application and project design; evaluateapplications and perform due diligence.o Supervise creation of grant agreements and annexes.o Visit grant‐seekers and human rights organizations for networking, exploration, andoutreach purposeso Explore and implement technological and programmatic tools to enhance the work ando security of granteeso Coordinate research of human rights developments and organizations in the region asrelates to grant making goalso Oversee updating of program databaseo In coordination with the Program Assistant, keep track of the implementation andreporting statuses of the various projects and suggest corrective actions in case of delaysor deviationso Contribute to the Fund’s program related reporting assignments to funders and donors.Communication & Outreach:o Coordinate drafting of program materials for the Fund’s communication and developmentpurposeso Attend local, regional, and international human rights events and meetingso Maintain contact with other human rights organizations and funders operating in theregion;o Explore partnerships and share ideas; meet with potential applicants; pursue outreachefforts, particularly in under‐represented countries in the region.

Hamra

- Identify and conceptualize potential civil society activities that advance program objectives and play a key role in soliciting and awarding grants.- Analyze and evaluate grant applications and proposals to ensure consistency with program objectives and relevance to local context and provide technical oversight of a portfolio of grants and ongoing mentorship, guidance, and support to grantees throughout the grant cycle, from initial design to closeout;- Manage technical implementation of all grants while maintaining continuous communications with grantees and assisting them in developing performance monitoring plans to assess the results and impact of their grant-funded activities;- Conduct capacity assessments of grantees and contribute to developing capacity-building approaches and activities to address identified gaps;

Beirut

- Ensure proper coordination with the local stakeholders and the implementation of the local projects and related activities - Represent the Project in meetings related to the implementation of projects at the local level;- Participate in the process of selection of sub-projects/activities-recommend action in a way that responds best to the needs of the region.- Supervise the implementation of selected local projects (approval, contracting, monitoring, evaluation, etc.);- Liaise with local government agencies, UN agencies working in the region, and non-governmental organizations for effective implementation of local projects;- Actively participate in liaising with local government agencies, non-governmental organizations, community groups, cooperatives and other civil society organizations;- Recommend direct actions to strengthen civil society sector, including formation of new bodies, strengthening of existing ones, and mobilizing of communities as per Project Document;- Assist in the prioritization of local projects than can best target the beneficiary groups in line with outlined objectives; - Mobilize local structures to elaborate effective and inclusive local action plans for sustainable socio-economic development in the region;- Actively initiate discussions with local stakeholders to ensure their participation in the selection, formulation, and implementation of local projects;

Beirut

- Coordination of the programme implementation (supervision and management of the project, follow up on the project cycle, evaluation...) - Maintain good relations with the donor (regular follow up, reporting, field visits, etc.) - Oversee the reporting activities, both the technical and financial reports.- Human Resources management (recruitment of project’s team, follow up and supervision)- Financial management (preparing budgets, managing budget, preparing payrolls, procurement, cashflow) - Network and enhance the relationship with local actors such as ministries, municipalities and other relevant actors.- Field coordination management : Coordinate with the local coordinators and ensure that all necessary information flows between centres, supervise local coordinators and help them to achieve the goals of the programme and ensure the smooth mutual support between LPHU offices.