Project Manager

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 has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Libya. 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 launching a rapid eight month pilot programme to identify successful economic development strategies that are potentially scalable and transferrable. The program, Improved Networks, Training and Jobs (INTAJ) in Lebanon, aims to support vulnerable Lebanese communities and Syrian refugees in Bekaa Valley and North governorates to address their economic needs through reduced unemployment and increased income for small businesses.  Within the first two months of the programme, Mercy Corps seeks a service provider to conduct a mapping and capacity assessment in West, Zahle, and Baalbeck Cazas in Bekaa Valley and the greater Tripoli areas in North Governorate.  Mercy Corps is looking for a data collection agency or persons with private sector and economic development experience that could conduct a mapping exercise and analysis of information to inform INTAJ programming.   GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY   The Tripoli-based Project Manager will implement 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 with the following core activities:   Support demand-driven, practical skills training and workforce-skills development for individuals. Offer small and medium enterprise (SMEs) specialized technical assistance, limited in-kind grants and linkages to existing business support services to lower risks and strengthen the ability of companies to grow their workforce.  Improve efficiency and quality of solid waste management and recycling (SWM/R) value chain by building new market-driven relationships and incentivizing further investments in upgrading the value chain.     ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Project Management – Economic and Market Development   Manage implementation of INTAJ, including the provision of skills for employability, beneficiary outreach, support to SMEs and better functioning value chain and markets for solid waste management and recycling (SWM/R), Contribute to data collection tools and mechanisms to devise labor market assessments and mapping reports, an integral part of the program; Oversee the successful implementation of program activities, ensuring that teams are following work plans, that activities are on schedule, and that program deliverables are completed as promised; Conduct field assessments, make recommendations about the needs and vulnerabilities of the target populations in regards to employment, SME support and the SWM/R value chain, as well as develop and implements feasible yet sound technical solutions; Conduct regular monitoring of project activities and project impact per Mercy Corps Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning and in accordance with existing related guidelines and donor regulations; Actively participate in the preparation of tender and contracts, including technical specifications of works to be performed by contractors and sub-grantees; Write monthly reports and other donor based reports or organizational based notes; Work closely with local partners and participate in partner assessment and selection; Assist in proposal / concept note development and report writing as necessary; Directly manage the program budget and complete financial planning to inform programming; Ensure that communities are informed about our programs and what we do, are aware of their entitlements, are comfortable to give feedback and that feedback is used to improve the quality of our programs; Facilitate public-private linkages and devise key strategic mentoring and networking platforms for business growth;   Team Management Provide technical direction and advice and develop work plans in collaboration with the team consisting of three Field Coordinators and Monitoring and Evaluation Officers; Develop and implement a comprehensive plan for staff and local partner capacity building in economic and market development; Work with both the public and private sectors to strengthen linkages with such stakeholders.   Coordination and Representation Represent Mercy Corps at the field-based Livelihoods working group meetings; Liaise with local officials including municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, local NGOs and INGOs, project partners, key community leaders, SMEs, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure successful deliverables; Develop and maintain working relationships and coordinate with relevant international and local agencies active in the livelihoods and economic development sector; Represent Mercy Corps at local coordination meetings; Examine and pursue funding opportunities from donors and partners, in coordination with senior management (including developing and submitting concept papers, proposals, etc.)   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; 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: Three Field-based Coordinators ACCOUNTABILITY: Reports directly to:  Program Manager Works directly with:  Operations, Finance, Program, and M&E Teams   KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE At least two-three 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 Tripoli and North of Lebanon. 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.