Skills Development Assistant - (Applications will only be accepted if submitted online, through the URL link provided)

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

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 is committed to generating positive opportunities for women, men, boys and girls from Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian communities, with a strong focus on engaging youth.  Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping build secure, productive and just communities. We do this through:

• Addressing the humanitarian and protection needs resulting from crisis situations for the most vulnerable communities
• Enabling local communities, civil society and government to better prevent and respond to conflict, address needs and deliver sustainable development solutions
• Promoting economic growth and catalysing economic opportunities for vulnerable, under-employed groups in Lebanon

Our programs focus on four sectors:  Economic Opportunities, Governance and Social Stability, Youth and Protection, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). The Mercy Corps Lebanon team consists of over 180 staff working across six offices throughout Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon, Tripoli and the Bekaa Valley.

The “Market-Based Opportunities and Skills Training for Women and Youth” is a $10 million CAD integrated three-year (anticipated October 2018 - November 2021) program designed to improve livelihood opportunities for women and youth (aged 15-34) from vulnerable populations. The program will target youth between the ages of 15-24, as well as young adults between the ages of 25-34 from Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian families, with a specific focus on women and girls in the target areas.  The overall objective is that women and youth are empowered and valued for playing an active economic role within their households and communities in Saida, Barja, Nabatiyeh, and Tripoli.

The primary objectives of the program are that:

1. Women and youth are gainfully employed or self-employed as a result of program interventions;
2. Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Start-ups improve their capacity to develop their businesses and hire women and youth;
3. Women and youth have a supportive enabling environment for their economic activities

Recognizing that a supportive environment is essential to address barriers that prevent women from taking an active economic role, the project will be underpinned by community outreach to increase support for enhancing the skills of women and girls, and their expanded participation in the workforce. Project activities will also support businesses to develop gender-inclusive practices to increase hiring and retention of women, and an analysis of barriers impeding women and girls from accessing skills and job opportunities will also be conducted. Following this, the project will identify services that enable women and youth to overcome barriers to employment (such as day care and transportation), and will help develop such services.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Skills Assistant will provide administrative support to the Senior Skills Coordinator in Beirut in addition to supporting the field teams. The Skills Assistant will support follow up with private sector partners providing youth and women with market-driven skills, soft skills for employability and work based learning opportunities. The Skills Assistant will support the Skills Officers’ close work with businesses to ensure women and youth who sign up to participate in the apprenticeship receive structured learning opportunities, guided by a dedicated coach within the business. The Skills Assistant plays an important role in monitoring the participant’s placements to ensure successful placements.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Project Implementation:

• Support Skills Senior Coordinator in planning and administration of project activities to meet project deliverables based on timeline and scope agreed with the donor;
• Receive/Respond to phone calls  on the info line.
• Follow-up regularly with participants regarding the job placement.
• update all data and information on relevant database.
• Responsible of mapping of services for Referral System and referring applicants to other NGOs or/and service providers.
• Provide day-to-day support to the Senior Skills Coordinator and Skills Officers including administrative, financial and logistical support.
• Support the Skills Senior Coordinator in implementing activities and monitoring of project progress;
• Support monitoring and evaluation efforts to document project outputs, outcomes, and impact to inform donor and other internal reporting;
• Assist in filing and record keeping of project activities.
• Assist in analysis of data collected to facilitate assessment results and lessons learnt.  

Project Coordination for Skills Building Component

• Support strategies to meet MOST’s job placement targets through labor market-oriented solutions and assist with the implementation of internship schemes for short and long term employment opportunities;  
• Ensure that all skills building-related interventions are in compliance with international norms and standards, national laws and policies, technical standards and organizational policies;
• Support rigorous monitoring and evaluation (M&E), accountability and learning systems for the skills building component.

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: N/A

ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Senior Skills Coordinator

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Operations, Finance, Program Performance, Program Managers, and M&E Focal Points, Partner organizations

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BA/S or equivalent in social science, women’s studies, management, economics, international development, or other relevant field;
• At least one year of experience and proven high level of competence in working in economics and market development programs
• Strong organizational skills, and ability to work independently and take initiative under pressure in a rapidly changing, multi-cultural context, whilst adhering to strict deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills and comfort
• Excellent written and verbal English and Arabic is a plus.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
• Strong analytical skills coupled with a solid understanding of grant management rules.
• A demonstrated ability to multi-task and process information into action as to not delay program activities.
• Must work well as a member of a team.
• Ability and willingness to travel to the field as needed to support trainings and field based activities
• Preferred experience in women’s economic empowerment and youth programming
• 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 humour.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.