Intaj Project Assistant Tripoli

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Libya. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps has been running community development programs focused on promoting economic development and increased opportunity for disadvantaged communities, while responding to emergencies as they have emerged. Recently, the program portfolio has expanded in response to the massive refugee influx from Syria, including grants from UNICEF, UNHCR, European Commission, Canadian and American government, and private foundations.  The emergency response component of the portfolio will be an increasing focus and driver of programming in Lebanon. As the Syrian refugee crisis stretches into its fourth year, strain on services and resources, and the continued deterioration of the economic situation in Lebanon means tensions between the Lebanese host and Syrian refugee communities are high.  Both communities face increasingly large challenges to address their economic and income generation needs. These tensions can be overcome, as well as the potential risk of violent extremism due to economic inequalities, marginalization of youth, and eroding state legitimacy if there are robust economic development initiatives across Lebanon.   GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: The Project Assistant will assist in the implementation the INTAJ (Improved Networks, Training and Jobs) eight-month economic development program pending funding from the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and due to start in September 2015. This program aims 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. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Program Implementation: Support the Project Manager in planning and implementing program activities to meet key deliverables based on timeline and scope agreed with the donor; Liaise with key stakeholders to build Mercy Corps acceptance within local communities to facilitate program implementation, including informing the wider community actors about Mercy Corps’ programming; Provide day-to-day support and coordination, including administrative, financial and logistical support. Trouble shoot any administrative problems and report any challenges or bottlenecks to Program Manager; Support the Project Manager in organizing meetings, community engagement and awareness raising/information dissemination events; Participate in monitoring and evaluation system design and implementation for all aspects of the program, including monitoring  program progress by developing and applying monitoring tools to inform reports to donors and key stakeholders; Support the Project Manager with all tasks related to procurement, finance, and human resource. Assist in filing and record keeping of program activities; Implement Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity policy and applies Do No Harm approaches; Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission; Other assigned tasks, as necessary.  SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: N/A ACCOUNTABILITY: REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:  Project Manager   WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:  Programs, Operations, Finance, and M&E Teams   KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:  BA/S or equivalent in social work, social sciences, human rights, or other relevant field preferred; Experience in community engagement preferred; Strong understanding of refugee issues in the current Lebanon context; Excellent knowledge of local context in Tripoli Written and oral communication skills in English preferred; Positive, respectful attitude and collaborative approach to problem solving; Demonstrated attention to detail; ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently as well as cooperatively with team members;   SUCCESS FACTORS: The successful Project Assistant will be able to multi-task, prioritize, problem solve. S/he will have attention to detail and an ability to work independently. Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving is essential in a complex security and political environment like Lebanon. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.