Head of Project Development Unit

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Responsible for the effective overall management of the project development unit
• Participate in training events and conferences relevant to areas of interest of SF programmes and projects
• Provide briefings of all relevant studies, data, program evaluations and research documents sent to the Foundation by external parties for potential use in project conceptualization
• Lead the research of trends in development approaches, techniques and mechanisms at global and regional levels and communicate innovative information to heads of sectors and General Manager
• Lead the process of project proposal preparation in response to funding opportunities, including drafting, reviewing, editing and compiling all required documentation such as logical frameworks, narratives, organizational capacity assessments
• Provide the Foundation sectors and the Head of Project Finance Unit support in drafting budget and budget narratives
• Follow up on a continuous basis and track proposals under evaluation by donors or partners after submission in addition to conducting technical & budget revisions as requested by donors/partners
• Maintain a database of all projects funded
• Provide technical support to staff members in the development of proposal writing skills
• Research and follow-up donors funding trends and foreign assistance priorities
• Build and maintain a close relationship with donors, local NGO’s, UN agencies and foreign government representation for the purpose of exploring new opportunities
• Ensure that the Foundation is constantly informed on all international development policies, donor country strategies, frameworks and funding relevant to Lebanon
• Explore local, national and international potential partners that can support Safadi Foundation via various technical, funding and networking mechanisms
• Continuously communicate up-to-date information with donors regarding the Foundation’s governance and management documents and financial and monitoring processes that are necessary for funding eligibility
• Ensure the Foundation maintains its contractual obligations with all donors and partners
• Revise and draft contracts that will govern funding agreements with donors, partners,  national and international NGO’s, and coordination groups
• Maintain archive of agreements and support the GM in negotiation and conflict resolution related to project contracts
• Prepare monitoring plans within project proposals as required by donors
• Draft monitoring plans in cooperation with project management teams
• Implement monitoring actions and provide support to project teams in ensuring the sound monitoring practices
• Draft and/or revise monitoring reports as needed by project teams

Key Performance Indicators

• Timeliness in planning, directing and managing proposal development
• Timeliness in generating reports and project submission
• Timeliness in responding to partners and donors requests
• Accuracy of project databases
• Effectiveness and progress the Foundations project proposals
• Integrity with Safadi Foundation’s values and ethical standards

Required Education, Experience and Competencies

Education

• Bachelor Degree in International Relations, Political Science or any related field

Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of project development and public relations experience at a national and/or international level

Competencies

• Strong knowledge of international development theories and systems
• Strong knowledge of international stakeholders with presence in Lebanon
• Strong knowledge of international and current events that influence the engagement of SF with embassies/international organisations
• Accuracy in drafting concept notes, proposals
• Strong ability to work under the organization’s development culture
• Proficient in producing accurate and well documented reports
• Good analytical skills
• Strong time management capabilities
• Very effective in relationship building, communications and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in computer and internet skills
• Excellent capacities in writing skills
• Advanced understanding of administrative, policies and professional institutional mechanisms
• Excellent organization skills
• Proficiency in Arabic and English languages
• Knowledge of other languages is an asset