Project Manager- Youth&hope

Job Description   Role Profile         Job Title Project Manager Directorate or Region MENA Department/Country Programmes and Partnerships, Lebanon Location of post Beirut, Lebanon Pay Band G Reports to Assistant Director, Programmes and Partnerships Duration of job Two years, renewable   Purpose of job To manage the implementation and quality assurance of assigned English/higher education  and society projects  and programmes by working with relevant ministries,  partners, stakeholders and wider target audiences in Lebanon and the UK to meet the British Council’s strategic objectives.    Context and environment The British Council has been in Lebanon since 1946.  As the United Kingdom’s international organisation for education and cultural relations, we are building on the British Council’s respected and trusted brand by expanding existing programmes and developing new opportunities with government and key stakeholders across the public, private and NGO sectors.  We employ 42 staff, including five regional and one Syria post and our portfolio spans our main sectors of English, Education, Society and Arts.    The Programmes and Partnerships team within British Council Lebanon manages all aspects of business development and delivery.  Working closely with colleagues across British Council (regionally and locally), the team is responsible for ensuring the quality and consistency of projects and programmes, meeting the expectations of contractors and partners.  This includes:  managing all aspects of delivery, compliance, risk and finances across the portfolio.  The team also provides input into business development, product development, proposals and business case production to ensure that robust delivery processes and delivery models are in place.   This post holder will be a key member of the Lebanon Programmes and Partnerships team, reporting to the Assistant Director Programmes and Partnerships and closely working with the English Projects Manager and other Project Managers, Project Co-ordinators, Marketing and Communications Manager, as well as the Ministry of Youth,  regional sector and functions managers.  Therefore,  s/he is required to demonstrate excellent relationship building for influence, project management and entrepreneurial, communication and team working skills.   The postholder will work on two separate EU funded projects: Higher Education English Access Programme (HEEAP) is the British Council led component of the wider HOPES (Higher and Further Education Opportunities and Perspectives for Syrians) programme which is being implemented in Egypt, Northern Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.   Through HEEAP, we will work with local Ministries of Higher Education and universities in each country to develop university based English Language and Study Skills courses to enable Syrian students to enter higher education institutions.  There will be an English Language teaching expert attached to each country and a part-time online adviser to provide assistance as part of the project.   Support for Youth Development will strengthen the enabling environment for youth policy and youth development in Lebanon.  It will specifically focus on two main areas 1. enhance the roles of the Ministry of Youth and Sport and Youth Forum to progress priorities for youth and national youth policy and 2. enhance co-operation, governance and accountability in relation to national youth policy and priorities for youth.   Accountabilities, responsibilities and main duties:   Project / programme management Support the identification and selection of local university partners in Lebanon to participate in HEEAP and secure English language training places for identified beneficiaries Coordinate the work between all relevant stakeholders for both projects Prepare monthly/ weekly plans in accordance to the detailed project implementation plan. Liaise with all parties and provide regular and clear communication, supporting the achievement of the project activities Generate monthly and quarterly activity reports to feedback to Team Leaders/Project Director In coordination with relevant staff  coordinate meeting with relevant ministries,  partners and relevant stakeholders on national level Liaise with all parties and provide regular and clear communication, supporting the achievement of the project activities Participate in progress reporting meetings to clients and with partner organisations Provide quality control and where appropriate draft reports to partners and stakeholders Proofread documents to be shared externally   Monitoring and evaluation Support Team Leaders/Project Directors in gathering data and results for reporting purposes Ensure that the projects M&E plan and work plans are properly coordinated with M&E specialist and implemented accordingly. Ensure project documentation is obtained, filed and regularly updated. Ensure particular activities are followed up and constantly reviewed for success stories.   Financial management Prepare accurate, timely, realistic and feasible monthly cash projection in accordance to the approved activity plan. Ensure financial management of the projects comply with the British Council’s and EU’s financial policy and procedures. Coordinate with finance coordinator for cash flow and requests that need to be in accordance to the submitted cash projection for the month. Ensure, control and monitor the payment process to the contracted partners, suppliers and service providers. To identify and control project risks. To proactively participate in the corporate Performance Management and Professional Development systems and keep professionally updated in related areas.   Customers & stakeholders Coordinate project activities with relevant ministries, donor, national stakeholders  at national level To identify, build and maintain strategic relationships and partnerships with external stakeholders including government bodies, donors, INGOs, private sector organisations, media, schools, further and higher education institutions, local NGOS, academics, research institutions.   Key relationships: Internal: Director Programmes & Partnerships Assistant Director, Programmes and Partnerships English Projects Manager British Council local, regional and UK programmes teams and education/society sector specialists British Council cross-departmental teams (Marketing and Communications, Finance and Resources, Exams, Customer Service) Country Director External Senior officials in government ministries especially Ministry of Youth and Sport and Ministry of Education and Higher Education Local and international education providers including universities Companies/organisations/NGOs providing educational services Donors and agencies including EU Delegation, UN agencies, FCO and British Embassy Media   Other important features or requirements of the job (e.g. travel, unsocial/evening hours, restrictions on employment etc.) Working hours are variable according to events and can include evenings and occasional weekends.  The role includes representing the British Council at external events where appropriate.  On certain days it may be necessary to work longer hours to cater for key deadlines. Please specify any passport/visa and/or nationality requirement. Post holder must be eligible to work in Lebanon.  When required, successful candidate needs to secure, at his/her own cost and liability, the appropriate work and residency permits and any other required document, as well as any renewals thereof, from the Lebanese competent authorities. Please indicate if any security or legal checks are required for this role. In line with local legislation                                                                                                   Person Specification     Essential Desirable   Assessment stage Behaviours Being Accountable (more demanding): Putting the needs of the team or British Council ahead of my own   Connecting with others (essential): Actively appreciating the needs and concerns of myself and others.     Interview   Creating Shared Purpose (essential): Communicating and engaging picture of how we can work together.   Making it happen (more demanding): Challenging myself and others to deliver and measure better results.   Working Together (Essential) establish a genuinely common goal with others.   Shaping the Future (Essential); looking for ways in which we can do things better     Required for the role but not assessed during the application stage   Skills and Knowledge Planning and organising level 2 - Plans ahead: Organises own work over weeks and months, or plans ahead for others, taking account of priorities and the impact on other people. Managing Finance and Resources level 3: Supports budget management - Monitors and controls an agreed budget within a defined area, producing reports and analyses and contributing to planning. Managing projects level 3 – leads smaller projects: Analyses requirements with the sponsor/stakeholders, defining the specification, planning, revising, implementing and evaluating on small-to-medium scale and/or low risk projects. Using technology level 2 - Operates as an advanced user: Works as an advanced practitioner in the use of office software and/or British Council standard and social media platforms and trains or coaches others in their use.   Written and spoken English (C1 Level)     Fluent in written and spoken Arabic   Knowledge of the donor and partner sectors within Lebanon                                               Good command of written and spoken French     Shortlisting/ Interview             Shortlisting/ interview         Shortlisting/ interview           Shortlisting/ interview           Interview and test (if no certificate can be provided)     Shortlisting Experience 3 years’ experience in the education and society sector or non-profit field in Lebanon leading projects with production, planning, fundraising, communications, evaluation and reporting.   Proven experience and significant understanding  of education and its link to social development   Proven knowledge of Lebanon’s educational, social and political landscape   Proven experience dealing with refugees / experience of working in conflict sensitive environments   Proven experience of working on EU-funded programmes/projects           Shortlisting Qualifications University Degree in related area: Business Management, Administration, Higher Education,  non-profit Management.  Or professional qualification. Project Management qualifications Shortlisting