Project Manager, LHF Food Security & WASH Project

Project Manager, LHF Food Security Project

Position Title:    Project Manager, LHF Food Security & WaSH Project

Reporting to:     Head of programmes/ Deputy Director of Programmes

Duty station:     Kobayat, Akkar, Lebanon

Salary grade:     2,470 USD – 2,630 USD NET

We World GVC is an Italian secular and independent organization working since 1971 in international cooperation and humanitarian aid. Present in 29 countries with 128 projects, We World GVC operates in the following areas of assistance: human rights (gender equality, prevention and combating violence against children and women, migration humanitarian aid (prevention, emergency relief and rehabilitation), food security, access to water, health and hygiene, education, global citizenship education, quality teaching and international volunteering. We World GVC supports people overcoming emergencies and guarantees a life with dignity, opportunities and a better future through human and economic development programs, and works mostly with girls, boys, women and youth, actors of change in every community for a fairer and more inclusive world, in the framework of the 2030 Agenda.

Joining the We World GVC team means being part of the development of a dynamic organisation where the contribution of each staff member is promoted and valued, working together towards the collective achievement of shared goals and vision.

Working context

We World GVC has been working in Lebanon since 2006 and is now supporting vulnerable populations in Lebanon through WASH, shelter, basic assistance and protection interventions aiming at increasing the resilience of the concerned communities, in North Bekaa (Baalbek-Hermel Governorate) and in Akkar. We work to return dignity to entire communities; we fight poverty and injustice so that the fundamental rights of every person can be recognized. Our interventions aim to increase the population’s resilience, enhancing a community’s capacity to find, within its fabric, the skills and resources necessary to grow in a self-sufficient manner.

Our staff is the key to achieving ambitious goals. With nearly 770 professionals employed and 250 partners, over the past 12 months We World GVC has reached 1.4 million people. The organization’s programmes are co-funded by the most important humanitarian and development aid donors such as EU (DEVCO, EACEA, ECHO, NEAR), United Nations (OCHA, UNHCR, UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, FAO) and individual countries (AICS, JICA, France and Dutch Embassies) as well as by private donors and foundations. The challenges that characterize the environments we work in are tackled by creating innovative synergies that draw on teamwork, multi-disciplinary experiences and by pairing international and local expertise. Respect for individuals and constancy are essential and inalienable characteristics if operating in contexts requiring strong human and professional talents.

Job description

We World GVC is the Lead partner in a Food Security and Wash project implemented in Akkar. Under the LHF Standard Allocation 2023, the project aims at addressing the urgent and growing needs of the target localities, through a multi-sectoral localized intervention using a hybrid modality (in-kind and voucher). The intervention strategy is structured also to systematically enhance the capacities of local actors to design and implement accountable, inclusive, and evidence-based humanitarian responses.

Within this framework, We World GVC seeks to recruit a Project Manager to set-up and lead the implementation of the 18-month project. They will be responsible for successfully implementing the whole project, including We World GVC and the partner components of the project, in close cooperation with the partner’s PM and the Project  beneficiaries and stakeholders. The thematic focus of the position is humanitarian response, Food Security, Agriculture and WaSH, as well as Voucher and Cash Assistance.

Project Management

• Direct responsibility for the planning, implementation and management of project activities, ensuring accurate and timely reporting according to WW-GVC, donor and other applicable timeframes and formats;
• Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Head of Programmes;
• Provide supervision, guidance, coordination and monitoring of the project staff and implementing partner, ensuring clarity over project plans and priorities and encouraging effective team work;
• In collaboration with the Head of Programme, contribute to the development, upgrade and implementation of an appropriate and effective strategy for the involved sectors of intervention;  
• Participate in project evaluations and assist in the analysis of the results, assess project impact and effective use of resources;
• Supervise quality and transparency of the data reported;
• Provide the Head of Programmes with regular action plans/project updates and advise of any deviations from the plan;
• Initiate and conduct surveys and assessments in coordination with the MEAL department, ensuring stakeholder participation, and adhering to the AAP principles;
• Plan and implement the distribution of food and hygiene assistance through voucher modality in close coordination with the organization’s CVA and WaSH experts;
• Ensure transparent procedures for the selection, and implementation of capacity building to local NGOs in coordination with the MEAL department;
• Conduct procurement processes in collaboration with Logistics and Finance department;
• Manage the project’s component budget in collaboration with Finance and Logistics departments;
• Other tasks as requested by the line manager;

Monitoring and reporting

• Closely monitor, follow-up and liaise with the contracted goods and service providers and directly;
• Monitor and assess the progress of implementation of activities in collaboration with the MEAL department, project staff partner PM and devise corrective measures as and when required, ensuring that project impact is maximized and lessons learnt are continuously documented and shared;
• Prepare reporting to donor regularly and timely, including accurate information and ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information, and prepare other reports foreseen in the contractual agreement.

Team Management and HR

• Ensure the appropriate staffing of the project team, planning and implementing specific actions to recruit, manage and motivate staff;
• Ensure that directly line managed staff have clearly defined objectives, understand their responsibilities and receive meaningful feedback on their performance;
• Line-manage designated staff including recruitment, day-to-day management, training etc.
• Provide support and advise in supervision, guidance, coordination and monitoring for project technical and social staff, ensuring clarity over project plans and priorities and encouraging effective teamwork;
• Hold regular team meetings, reviewing team and individual objectives, ensuring team members are kept informed of issues relevant to their work and providing opportunities for feedback;
• Provide proper documentation of the above to the HR department and Head of Programmes as per WW-GVC HR SOPs;
• Coordinate the Logistic activities in support to all field activities, in coordination with the Logistics Manager;
• Assist the Head of Programmes with establishing and maintaining a collaborative and high performing team and a good working environment.

Strategy development and programme development

• Provide input and support in WW-GVC strategies’ development for emergency response / food security / agriculture / livelihoods and WaSH topics in Akkar and Lebanon;
• Support the Head of Programmes by conducting needs assessments in areas of interest, coordinating with relevant staff and developing concept notes / project proposals;
• Input into the development of the WW-GVC strategy, new projects and/or donor proposals.

Communication, coordination and representation

• Establish and maintain networks with operational and institutional interlocutors involved in the realization of the project.
• Ensure close coordination with the local and regional stakeholders guaranteeing buy-in and smooth implementation of the project.
• Represent WW-GVC at relevant public events, coordination and representation meetings involving local stakeholders, authorities, international agencies and NGOs;
• Prepare visits of donor representatives / HQ visitors / other stakeholders whenever requested;
• Report on specific incidents, trends or contextual events occurring in the North and Akkar region to the Head of Programmes;
• Organize and lead in all relevant meetings with the project partner and LHF implementing partners, and participate in relevant sector meetings of the target areas.

Other tasks

• Implementation of other specific tasks assigned by the Line Manager and preparation and transmission of additional information requested by HQ.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Knowledge:

• An advanced university degree or equivalent in the field of Social or Political Science, Development Studies, Project Management, Engineering or similar
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Arabic

Professional experience:

• Minimum 3 years of project management experience, preferably on emergency projects;
• Proven experience with impact-driven implementation of activities and team management, as well as logistics, MEAL and budgeting in collaboration with respective departments;
• Previous working experience in food security and WaSH projects with public and private actors in rural and conservative contexts and in depth understanding of local social and political contexts;
• Proven experience in multi-purpose cash assistance, food vouchers, and food in-kind;
• Previous work experience with international NGOs;

Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal, staff management and leadership skills;
• Excellent communication skills, in written and spoken, adapted to different levels;
• Ability to identify, initiate and maintain good relationships with partner organizations, donors and local authorities including building professional relationships with senior decision-makers and influencers / leaders;
• Proven organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and perform under stress conditions;
• High tolerance for lengthy processes, and ability to patiently and persistently follow-up;
• Ability to think strategically and conceptually and to translate these into concrete results;
• Capacity to work autonomously and in problem prevention/resolution;
• Integrity in line with the NGO values and ethical standards;
• Cultural, gender, religion, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Strong commitment to the humanitarian principles, FCRMs and AAP way of working.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Previous experience in Lebanon, particularly in the Akkar, or in rural contexts in the Middle East;
• Previous experience with WW-GVC, and knowledge of internal procedures;
• Knowledge of main donors’ policies and procedures (UN Agencies, LHF, EU and AICS)