Project Manager-Intaj

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. The agency pursues its mission through emergency relief services, sustainable community development, civil society and economic development initiatives. Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently works in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq.   Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps has implemented community development programs focused on promoting economic development and increased opportunity for disadvantaged communities, while responding to emergencies as they emerged in the country.  In 2012, the program portfolio shifted in response to the massive refugee influx from Syria and Mercy Corps in Lebanon has solidified its emergency response programming while integrating longer-term development programming by focusing on key sectors: Protection, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Governance and Conflict, and Livelihoods.    With funding from the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID), Mercy Corps is expanding an eight-month pilot project to a two-year program aiming at improving the stability and resiliency in target communities in the North of Lebanon and the Beqaa through reduced unemployment and increased income for businesses. INTAJ (Improved Networks, Training and Jobs) is focused on three main components: skills development, small and medium enterprise (SME) development, and solid waste and recycling management (SWM/R).   GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY The Beqaa-based Project Manager is responsible for the planning and implementation of all INTAJ activities in the region by providing structured oversight and coordination to field-based staff to achieve program targets.  S/he is responsible for networking and coordinating with private sector, government and international and national NGOs to facilitate INTAJ’s programming.   ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Team Management Supervise field teams to guide work planning focused on achieving program outcomes, as well as local partners to ensure they are meeting deliverables; Ensure programming is implemented according to grant management minimum standards and indicators are being met in order to meet project deliverables;  Mentor team to identify solutions and build capacity to independently take on work responsibilities; Identify in coordination with the area managers and technical advisors training needs for team members and local partners for program quality and accountability; identify professional resources; and encourage peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing and other forms of staff capacity-building; Project Management Provide overall oversight and management of Beqaa-based programming including budget and grant management; Facilitate assessments and establish partner sub-grants to create clear and productive partnerships with local businesses and organizations that support grant implementation; Coordinate and troubleshoot operational and financial activities to serve program implementation; Establish and maintain effective program reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use; Ensure Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards are maintained while coaching staff to learn and apply these standards; Implement communications strategy to facilitate INTAJ’s marketing and branding; Representation Serve as primary liaison with Beqaa-based stakeholders including SMEs, local government, non-governmental organizations, Chambers of Commerce, etc. to strategically network and promote INTAJ’s programming; Collaborate with key stakeholders to identify new opportunities that achieve INTAJ’s objectives; Identify opportunities to influence and advocate for improved livelihood and market development practices in target areas and at the national level through regular engagement with stakeholders; Represent Mercy Corps at local and national coordination meetings, as needed; Other Ensure all activities are gender sensitive and follow Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity Policy; Apply Do No Harm standards to ensure activities do not have detrimental effects on vulnerable communities; Ensure all activities are gender sensitive and follow Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity Policy; Contribute to monthly reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor and internal requirements; Participate in internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops; Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission; Other assigned tasks, as necessary.   Organizational Learning  As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve.  We expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.   Accountability to Beneficiaries Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Supervisory Responsibility: Field-based Coordinators, Project Assistants, and M&E Assistants.  ACCOUNTABILITY: Reports directly to:  INTAJ Program Manager Works directly with:  Operations, Finance, Program, and M&E Teams   KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE BA/S or MA/S or equivalent in social science, management, economics, international development, or other relevant field. At least three to five years of progressive experience and proven high level of competence in working in economic and market development and/or development-related programs, ideally in relief and/or post-conflict settings. Ability to successfully implement economic development programming. Specialized background in economic and market development-preferred. Experience with relief and socio-economic development work in a vulnerable context. Some knowledge of Lebanon, in particular its displacement context, protection threats, economic challenges, social stability and resilience mechanisms relevant to internal conflict preferred; preference also given to candidates with background in the North Africa – Middle East region. Proven track record in staff and stakeholder training and capacity building. Strong leadership and communication skills. Ability and interest to work with a multi-ethnic team in a culturally appropriate manner. Solid knowledge of the socio-economic context of Beqaa Valley. Proficiency in English essential   SUCCESS FACTORS A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to promote new approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will have proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results.  Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.