Program Specialist: Civic Engagement & Governance

Background: 

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions in the fields of health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, and technology. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories. In Lebanon, FHI 360 is implementing the USAID-funded Lebanon Civic Action Accelerator Program (LEB-CAAP) which aims to enhance civil society responsiveness to locally-driven demands to accelerate inclusive rights-based policies, practices, and services through a combination of grants, technical assistance, and partnerships.  This $16M program began in July 2021 and will continue through June 2026. To learn more about our program offerings, visit https://daleel-madani.org/civil-society-directory/fhi-360 and our social media pages @lebcaap. 

FHI 360 is seeking qualified candidates to serve as LEB-CAAP’s Program Specialist: Civic Engagement & Governance to manage program interventions that contribute to advancing transparency, governance and accountability mechanisms and processes, fostering municipal-community engagement, and engaging marginalized groups (specifically youth, women, and persons with disabilities) in rights-based advocacy at the national and local levels.  The Program Specialist: Civic Engagement & Governance will provide technical support to grantees in project design; program strategies, approaches, and tactical innovations; reporting, communications and outreach; and coalition-building and partnerships. S/he will coordinate with LEB-CAAP’s grants, finance and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) teams on all program activities.

Responsibilities:  

Reporting to the Chief of Party, the Program Specialist: Civic Engagement & Governance will lead the design and delivery of program interventions to strengthen the capacities of diverse civil society actors working across Lebanon in the areas of civic engagement, transparency and governance initiatives. Firstly, s/he will provide technical leadership for a portfolio of approximately 25 subawards estimated at $750K issued under the Community Action for Accountability program (CAfA grants) (https://daleel-madani.org/civil-society-directory/fhi-360/calls/request-applications-community-action-accountability-cafa-grants). CAfA grants aim to support local civil society actors to contribute to inclusive, transparent, and accountable local governance by driving civic activism for rights-based change through community-municipal engagement and by strengthening linkages between national-level actors with local-level groups to promote networks for accountability.  Tasks include but are not limited to: 

• Design and deliver technical assistance interventions to CSOs and informal civic actors that strengthens the effectiveness of civic participation and engagement, furthers innovative solutions to address development challenges, utilizes behavior change and community mobilization strategies, and inspires attitudes and values of transparency, governance, accountability, gender and social inclusion within a rights-based framework.  
• Support youth civic engagement programming that provides tangible opportunities for young people to affect change on issues that matter to them and mobilizes them to engage in elections as a means to drive long-term improvements and hold decision makers accountable.
• Contribute to the design of communications and mobilization campaigns that promote civic engagement, transparency and good governance, through the use of data-driven design, tactical innovations, social media platforms, direct engagement, and dialogue
• Support the grants team in drafting subaward solicitations; disseminating grant opportunities and conducting solicitation workshops; reviewing applications and participating in grant evaluation committees; and provide support in technical and budget negotiations
• Lead co-design workshops with shortlisted grantees to develop project strategies, technical tactics, and planning and oversee the technical performance of sub-awardees in coordination with the grants and MEL teams
• Provide technical support and capacity building of partners through one-on-one mentoring, on-demand technical assistance, group trainings, learning-by-doing and relationship-building activities, delivered virtually and in-person through direct and/or external training delivery 
• Manage CAfA grants work plan, anticipate changes, introduce project adjustments in a timely and efficient manner
• Monitor grantee progress and deliverables through review of deliverables and onsite field visits, resolve any problems/issues, assess political developments and identify new opportunities for program initiatives or assistance
• Coordinate with the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) team on all related activities including monitoring partner performance for quality MEL, capturing success stories and learning, MEL planning and reporting
• Participate in designing and facilitating multi-stakeholder workshops, communities of practice, networking opportunities, and dialogue sessions among civic actors and decision-makers to enhance communication, learning and strategic collective action 
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with key stakeholders at the national and local level, donors, implementers, private sector, media, and academia and represent the program in conferences and events
• Assist in the development of annual work plans, monthly and bi-annual reports 
• Ensure program quality, efficiency and compliance with USAID requirements and FHI 360 organizational policies and procedures 
• Performs other duties as required

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelors’ degree with 7-9 years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience related to democracy, governance and rights
• Demonstrated capacities in designing and managing programs related to civic engagement, rights-based advocacy and outreach, community development, municipal governance and experience in partnership building, teambuilding, project and budget management 
• Proven track record in designing, managing, and implementing grants and capacity building of civil society in Lebanon within an international development organization or a national civil society organization with experience with USAID preferred 
• Experience in applying the human rights-based approach, gender and social inclusion, and positive youth development concepts in program design, capacity strengthening and outreach
• Excellent organizational, analytical, project management, interpersonal, and proactive problem-solving skills with significant time management skills and ability to work in multiple projects as needed
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, transmit her/his analysis effectively to partners and colleagues, and capacity to influence, motivate, and collaborate with others 
• Familiarity with USAID programming and grantmaking rules and regulations preferred
• Fluency in English and Arabic with strong written and verbal communication skills required 
• Competency in Microsoft Office/Teams/SharePoint and other online tools for engagement, virtual learning, or training platforms a plus 

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time. 

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself. We offer competitive compensation and an outstanding benefit package. 

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and we are committed to fostering a culture of diversity.  We do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable law. 

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply for positions with FHI 360 and those who need to request reasonable accommodations during the application process should communicate their request to: LebanonJobs@fhi360.org.