Livelihoods Project Manager

OXFAM PURPOSE: To work with others to find lasting solutions to poverty and suffering   JOB PURPOSE: To provide overall leadership and management of a livelihoods project that will contribute to the economic self-reliance and resilience of vulnerable communities, in the Mount Lebanon, North Lebanon and Bekaa Governorates through livelihoods activities and protection mainstreaming. This intervention is part of the LEADERS livelihoods Consortium.   The post-holder is expected to work closely with the Economic Justice programme team and the Oxfam Policy team towards common objectives.   DURATION:  12 months contract renewable pending availability of funds and performance   REPORTING LINES:   Post holder reports to: Economic Justice Coordinator. The post holder will also work closely with Head of programs, Economic Justice Policy adviser, PMEAL Coordinator, Funding Coordinator, Protection Coordinator and the Bekaa Area Manager.   Staff reporting to this post: Business Development Services (BDS) Officer (2) and will receive support from the financial, logistics and HR/Admin in executing the role.   BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: Budget management for 500,000 USD   BACKGROUND: The Livelihoods Project Manager position will lead the programmatic, management and partnership aspects of the above mentioned intervention financed by multiple donors and implemented in consortium with Care International, Makhzoumi Foundation and LPHU, under the umbrella of the LEADERS consortium. As a key role within the Oxfam Lebanon Country programme, the position will be based in Beirut, with regular travel to programme sites in Zahle and Baalbeck. He/she will oversee effective management and relationships with partner organsations, manage the intervention throughout the project cycle, including budget management (including expenditure planning and expenditure monitoring), lead in preparing and developing high quality programme plans, including MEAL and procurement plans, progress and donor reports, ensure appropriate monitoring and project quality, and enhance internal and external learning and representation. In addition, the PM will also identify scaling up opportunities and new project ideas in line with the thematic area.   DIMENSIONS: Manage the successful planning, monitoring and reporting of the project; Manage the Business Development Services officer, while at the same time liaising with MEAL, WASH and Protection teams and the technical Coordinators/Managers; Ensure that the intervention mainstreams gender justice and protection; Ensure a constant and constructive relationship with Al Makhzoumi Foundation, LPHU and Care International at field and Beirut level; Build and maintain effective relationships with implementing partners and external stakeholders in support of the project in the focus areas; Ensure the physical welfare, well-being, and professional development of staff directly assigned to the project at field office; Serve as the Project Budget Holder and oversee effective financial management of the programme’s grant/s and activities with the support of admin and logistics teams; Ensure programme quality standards are being met; Participate in the livelihoods working group in Bekaa; Liaise with the Economic Policy advisor regarding the policy component of the project.   KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Work closely with the Bekaa Area Manager, programme team and support departments to provide technical guidance and managerial support to implement the intervention in line with the objectives laid out in the donor approved proposal; Develop and implement the intervention in collaboration with other Oxfam colleagues (Economic Justice, MEAL, and policy teams), consortium members and local implementing partners; Recruitment and management of BDS officers in line with Oxfam policies, ensuring that they have the necessary induction, training and support as required; Plan and monitor the budget and ensure funds are spent within the time frame acceptable to Oxfam and the donor and ensuring rules and regulations of Oxfam are adhered to; Ensure that donor contractual requirements are fulfilled, including by partner organisations, with particular reference to the General and Technical conditions of the Grant Agreement with the donor and internal regulations, throughout the entire project period; To report regularly, verbally and in writing to the Economic Justice Coordinator, Head of programmes, and to Bekaa Area Manager on regular basis on programme progress; To lead in preparing mid-term and final reports for the donor in collaboration with programme teams, technical coordinators, Funding Coordinator, support teams and partners. Ensure narrative reporting and financial accounting meet Oxfam and donor’s requirements; Support and promote programme quality and project strengthening activities e.g. data management, project quality meetings, learning events and partnership reviews; Work with project staff to develop and implement progressive but realistic performance and development plans; Provide necessary and timely feedback to all staff being directly managed; Ensure regular coaching of staff; In coordination with technical coordinators, build the capacity of staff in key project management principles, tools and approaches and ensure that these new skills are utilized on the job; Maintain and/or assist staff to maintain healthy relationships with government institutions including the municipality and cooperating organizations through regular contacts, visits and fulfilment of project requirements; Assist in strengthening local relationships, including with the local partners, peer INGOs, the UN and authorities; Facilitate effective working relations with colleagues around communications, policy and advocacy issues and concerns, ensuring evidence-based programmatic input into policy and media messaging.   SKILLS AND COMPETENCE: (E = essential, D = desirable)    1.       A Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline such as economics or development or equivalent experience (E)2.       Master’s degree in relevant area (e.g. economics, development studies, political science) (D)3.       A minimum of 3 years progressively responsible experience in a similar role – specifically in managing humanitarian/development programmes funded by different donors in the livelihoods sector. (E)4.       Excellent understanding and knowledge of economic development and recovery principles in an urban and rural context (E)5.       Experience in managing livelihoods programmes. (E)6.       Good knowledge of developing and implementing monitoring systems to track the effectiveness of programmes and an ability to build cooperative, professional relationships with donors, partners and peer organisations. (E)7.       Management skills & experience, including line management, management of other resources, evidence of capacity to support others. (E)8.       Commitment to equal opportunity and gender policies. Demonstrated experience in integrating gender and protection into programmes. (D)9.       Evidence of project cycle management experience, including strategic planning, budgeting, reporting, monitoring & evaluation. (E)10.   Experience in building the capacity of the team internally and of external stakeholders. (D)11.   Experience in implementing projects involving local organisations as implementing partners (E)12.   Diplomacy, tact and negotiating skills. (E)13.   Good interpersonal, influencing and communication skills (E)14.   Proven team leadership and ability to work independently as required. (E)15.   Sensitivity to cultural differences, and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts. (E)16.   Good written and spoken English and Arabic. (E)17.   Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. (E)18.   Sympathy with the aims and Objectives of Oxfam. (E)