Project Assistant - FORSA+ (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the link provided)

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 1980’s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Egypt.

Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps promotes economic and social development in marginalized communities and respond to emergency needs as they emerge. Since the outbreak of the conflict in Syria in 2011, Mercy Corps in Lebanon has shifted its programs towards emergency based interventions while integrating long-term development programming by focusing on key sectors: Protection, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Governance and Conflict, and Livelihoods. 

Mercy Corps proposes a 12-month emergency COVID-19 response programme with the goal of mitigating the economic impact of the pandemic at household, business and community level. The FORSA+ programme will work with businesses, CBOs and municipalities to support early recovery activities during and after the COVID-19 crisis and to strengthen food security systems at the local level. The FORSA+ programme builds upon Mercy Corps’ current nearly decade-long livelihood interventions in Lebanon and its expertise in the agricultural sector.

In order to achieve this goal, Mercy Corps will provide technical and in-kind assistance to 27 MSMEs in the food and health sectors, and tailored support to 15 local agricultural initiatives contributing to food security in the Bekaa and South Governorates.

General Position Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Assistant will support in the implementation of project activities as stipulated in the work-plan and ensure quality deliverables at all levels. Moreover, He/she will closely work with the local partner organization, municipalities, etc and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps’ policies and donor rules and regulations.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise and support to on-going agricultural interventions under the guidance of the Project Manager
• Support the Project Manager and project teams in planning and implementing project activities to meet project deliverables based on timeline and scope agreed with the donor;
• Provide day-to-day support and coordination with private sector partners and service contractors, including administrative, financial and logistical support.
• Troubleshoot any administrative problems and report any challenges or bottlenecks to Project Manager;

• The project assistant will participate in the selection and assessment, and follow up on training programs for good agriculture practices among farmers and cooperatives.
• He/She assists in filing and record keeping of project activities including Program Management Minimum Standards (PM@MC)
• Support Project Manager in implementing activities, organizing meetings and trainings, monitoring of project progress;

• Build relationships with small producers, agribusinesses, cooperatives, trade unions and local municipalities to carry out the activities of the project and facilitate access to information related to project activities and scope;
• Conduct regular field visits to the projects location to ensure proper flow of work and smooth implementation;
• Liaise with other project teams and M&E staff as required to ensure that the project databases complement and align with each other;
• Prepare weekly reports to be submitted to the Project Manager. Contribute to quarterly reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor and internal requirements;
• Support project team in data collection

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 toward 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.

• 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.

Supervisory Responsibility N/A

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Project Manager

Works Directly With: Operations, Finance, Program Performance, and M&E Focal Points, Partner organizations.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Engineering, Agribusiness or a related field;
• At least 2 years’ experience with livelihoods, private sector agricultural development programming, a
• Excellent skills and experience in working with local communities and municipalities;
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles;
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving;
• Proven ability to learn quickly, lead a project to achieve stated results and objectives;
• Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders;
• Oral and written Arabic required
• Oral and written English skills preferred
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment;
• Willingness to travel throughout Beirut
• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work.
• Knowledge of Sphere standards and other training in humanitarian response preferred.