Field Manager - Economic Recovery and Development - Beirut

Project Description:  

Supporting Lebanon’s Social Recovery Services Phase II.  

The project will focus on reducing vulnerabilities of groups who are identified to be significantly impacted by Lebanon’s enduring social, economic, and political fragility: (i) survivors of Gender-Based Violence (SGBV); (ii) those suffering from deteriorated psycho-social wellbeing; (iii) and/or those facing limitations related to being a person with disabilities and older persons. The project’s scope will entail providing grant financing directly to a selected number of NGOs, to enable them to provide social services to reduce vulnerabilities in these groups while strengthening their capacity to participate in the broader social recovery and reconstruction process. 

The World Bank has selected the IRC to act as the Project Implementing Agency to implement the Supporting Lebanon’s Immediate Social Recovery Services project (SRP2). The IRC will take on project management, grant provision and/or procurement of services from NGOs and will be responsible for the fiduciary supervision of the selected NGO partners, in addition to improving their environmental & social safeguards capabilities. 

Job Purpose:

The Field Manager plays a leading role in ensuring the successful implementation of ERD programming in the field and adherence to quality standards. By providing guidance and support needed to the field teams and partners (including those related to the SRP2 project), and in close coordination with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) department, the Field Manager has the overall responsibility to oversee the planning, implementation and monitoring of economic recovery and development program in Akkar, Bekaa, Beirut and Mount Lebanon. He/she will ensure successful implementation of the projects aiming at enhancing the economic resilience and livelihoods in the targeted communities. The Field Manager is required to visit the field at least three (3) times a week to monitor activities, support field staff and engage with different stakeholders.

While closely working with the ERD Coordinator, the Field Manager will contribute to the identification of new opportunities for interventions and to the development of new proposals expanding the portfolio of the department.

Responsibilities of the Field Manager:

Grant Planning and Field implementation

• Lead the field implementation of ERD programming, ensuring that all activities are aligned with program goals and requirements, including those related to the SRP2 project.
• Together with IRC partners (including the SRP2 ones) and field staff, develop and manage workplans and timelines for program activities.
• Collaborate with the MEAL team to develop and implement Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plans to effectively track program impact and outcomes and inform program adaptations to improve program effectiveness.
• Submit regular reports that incorporate insights from field observations and input from MEAL, the field team, and partners, highlighting program progress, lessons learned and opportunities to enhance program implementation, quality, and responsiveness to client needs.
• Coordinate with the Policy, Advocacy and Communications (PAC) team for the development of program’s communication and visibility materials
• Conduct market assessment and cash feasibility survey among other field analysis.
• Identify operational and security risks in the field and implement mitigation measures.
• Closely coordinate with MEAL team to maintain accountability mechanisms and ensure that community feedback is collected and addressed.
• Participate in regular Coordination meetings at Field level with the relevant working groups.
• Effectively communicate and coordinate with field actors, including municipalities, Private sectors, community leaders to ensure smooth collaboration, timely information sharing and program alignment with community priorities.
• Organize weekly coordination meetings and updates with the field teams and partners.
• Together with the capacity building officer and the SRP2 project team, contribute to the development and the Validation of comprehensive training and coaching plans tailored to the needs of local organizations.

Human Resources Management

• Supervision of field staff, providing guidance and support to ensure high quality performance.
• Conduct regular team meetings to review progress, discuss challenges and plan for upcoming activities.
• Develop the capacity of supervised team through setting individualized professional development plans and provide coaching to achieve goals.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Ensure timely completion and submission of interim and annual performance reviews.

Stakeholder’s Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders in the field, including local authorities, Community leaders, Private sector and partners organizations (including those related to SRP2 project implementation.)
• Represent the IRC in external meetings, including working groups and task forces conducted in the North, Beirut / Mount Lebanon and Bekaa.

Other

• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs and benefit the SRP2 project implementation. 

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to:  ERD Coordinator (and closely coordinates with the World Bank Project Lead)
• Position directly supervises: Capacity Building Officer; Livelihoods Officer; Microenterprise Support Officer

• Other Internal and/or external contacts: IRC MEAL team, specifically the M&E Manager and SRP2 Senior MEAL Officer, Program Support Officer, Field Coordinators, Finance and Operations teams, as well as the SRP2 Partnerships teams; Partner organizations (including SRP2 related ones.)

Job Requirements:

The Field Manager is expected to have the following background: 

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts /Bachelor of Sciences Degree in International Development, Economics, Business Management, Food Security or related field; Master’s degree is a plus.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive professional experience in project management, with specific experience in livelihoods promotion and cash programs.
• Prior experience working in emergency settings or insecure environments preferred.
• Strong program management skills.
• International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) experience strongly preferred.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
• Strong written and oral communication, effective in representation and liaison with external parties. 
• Solid capacity of applying skills and knowledge in a range of work areas, including direct implementation, advisory functions, training and the transfer of technical capacity.
• Teamworking skills and adept in working in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well.
• Fluent in English and Arabic.

Working Environment: The position will be based in the Beirut office, with frequent travel to field sites in Akkar, North, Bekaa and Mount Lebanon.

Candidates agree to disclose to IRC any situation of actual potential conflict of interest that impacts the capacity to serve the best interest of IRC and understand that any misstatement or misrepresentation described during the recruitment process and/or after hiring may lead to his/her disqualification or dismissal by IRC, and/or sanctions by the Donor (World Bank).

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.