Project Officer Rovs

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: The Project Officer will provide support to the field-based Project Manager in all aspects of integrating Refugee Outreach Volunteers (ROVs) into Mercy Corps’ protection and monitoring project in the Beqaa. S/he will conduct and oversee community-based activities with a Beqaa-based Protection Monitoring Team and up to 60 ROVs. S/he will provide oversight to the ROVs assisting the protection monitoring teams with access to communities, sharing of information, mobilizing refugees for community engagement activities, networking with service providers, referral development, and responding to identified needs. She/he will closely work with local partner organizations to ensure accountability to Mercy Corps’ policies and donor rules and regulations, as well as other local actors including municipalities and service providers.  ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Provide day-to-day support and coordination with local partners and UNHCR, including administrative, financial and logistical support. Trouble shoot any administrative problems and report any challenges or bottlenecks to Program Manager. Oversee the work of up to 60 ROVs to ensure work plans are developed and implemented efficiently. Oversee and guide administrative work for ROVs: task sheet presentation, reporting, communication and transportation allowances. Guide and orient new staff on protection monitoring in Beqaa, and relevant issues, in addition assist in outreach and recruitment of qualified ROVs. Support and coach ROVs on their role; intervene and mediate when conflicts arise as needed. Collaborate with UNHCR on training, monitoring work of ROVs, and all identified cases and referrals. Collect regular detailed progress reports or documentation of work, trends, and submit in a timely manner. Facilitate implementation of Rapid Risk Response Mechanism to provide immediate response to high risk needs, in close coordination with UNHCR. Support Project Manager to effectively liaise with UNHCR on a regional level including: bi-weekly meetings, regular reporting/ information sharing and attendance at sub group and working meetings. 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; Support Program Manager in implementing activities, organizing meetings, community engagement and awareness raising/information dissemination events. Establish relationships with local municipalities and leaders to facilitate protection monitoring access and understand local dynamics and context, while identifying key tensions and needs. Identify and understand work of local organizations and service providers and how their efforts can be best incorporated and linked into wider service provision for refugees and host community members to address protection issues and trends. Coordinate with international NGOs providing humanitarian services to facilitate linkages between identified refugee and host community needs. Contribute to revision and updating of UNHCR service directory to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date. Support communication strategies to enable greater linkages between vulnerable populations and service providers; working with Team Leaders to network within their designated area to promote action. Participate in training on knowledge, skills and application of interagency Protection standards as directed by management team. Contribute to strategic planning and program development to enable Mercy Corps to expand activities, including identification of livelihood and economic development activities to respond to income support needs. Ensure Mercy Corps’ policies and codes of conduct are in place, including adherence to Do No Harm and gender equality policies. Conduct herself/ himself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission. Other duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: Three to five years of experience working in a humanitarian NGOs and/or comparable private sector or organizational experience. Protection experience preferred. Three or more years of management experience including planning and oversight of staff members. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues. Understanding of political, economic, and social dynamics in Beqaa. Demonstrated attention to detail; ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently as well as  Significant knowledge and understanding of the current political, social, economic, cultural and historical context of Lebanon and Syrian crisis. SUCCESS FACTORS: The successful Project Officer will combine theoretical and practical skills and experience to work closely with vulnerable populations in Beqaa. S/he will have an outstanding ability to connect with vulnerable groups in a respectful and dignified manner. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team, communication, and strong analytical skills. 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.