Agriculture Project Manager - Akkar

Basmeh & Zeitooneh is a registered Lebanese organization, committed to serving refugees and vulnerable communities in Lebanon through six community centers across the country. The organization runs educational, relief, livelihoods, and protection programs, and aims to serve as an inclusive and supportive focal point for the entire community. Basmeh & Zeitooneh has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation, abuse, and child abuse. Also, fraud, bribery, and corrupt activities. Basmeh & Zeitooneh (B&Z) is committed to maintaining the security, confidentiality, and privacy of your personal information. Basmeh & Zeitooneh is committed to safeguarding the well-being of children and upholding the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Basmeh & Zeitooneh maintains a zero-tolerance policy on child abuse.

Location : Akkar

Reports To : Operations & Programs Manager

Direct Project Staff : 2 Agricullture Field Officers

Job Purpose :

The Agriculture Project Manager is part of Basmeh & Zeitooneh (B&Z) Food Security and Livelihood Program. The project manager will be reporting to the Program manager, in addition to working closely with other departments and units at Basmeh & Zeitooneh.

The Project Manager will support project participants and stakeholders involved in the project using recommended implementation approaches and methodologies. This position will facilitate participatory planning, implementation, and monitoring of project interventions in close collaboration with partners and stakeholders.

Job Responsibilities :

The Agriculture Project Manager shall be responsible for:

Project Cycle Management and Implementation

• Develop a comprehensive detailed implementation plan, including tasks, responsibilities, timelines, and resources needed for each project phase.
• Ensure project implementation is on time, target and budget, that the project targets are well understood and achieved according to the implementation work-plan, and to adapt the plan when required.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop risk management strategies to mitigate potential project risks.
• Oversee all procurement needs in coordination with the B&Z procurement unit
• Draft timely periodic activity progress reports to Program manager
• Contribute to the selection of suitable curriculums for required training according to the participants needs and monitor the training assuring quality.
• Assure quality update of participants database and follow up .

Coordination:

• Close coordination with the FSAC sector, MoA and other stakeholders
• Attend sector’s meeting including the ad-hoc ones
• Build strong partnership with MoA and sign a Data Sharing Agreement with them.
• Maintain close coordination with the sector focal point in Akkar
• Follow -up with participants to make sure all transfers have been redeemed through requesting receipts from them and daily financial statement from the finance team
• Prepare Payment packages and share it with the finance team
• Coordinate with the MEAL for data validation

Development and strengthening of partnerships with:

• Stakeholders from Lebanese public institutions: ministries, municipalities, chambers of commerce, etc.
• Local groups, cooperatives, participants, etc. .

Launching of activities

The Project manager will be supervising a team to launch and implement the following activities:

• Provide technical info sessions for selected participants that include key messages about the project
• Field officers in planning and giving the awareness sessions
• Lead on the provision of participants groups with suitable assets to apply productive, and sustainable principles

Budget and financial management:

• Manage the budget performance according to spending timelines and identify risks of over/under spending in a timely manner.
• Responsible for generating budget plans including forecast and reallocation periodically and as per need.
• Ensure the compliance to B&Z and donors’ financial procedures on the project
• Keep daily track of the expenditures and available funds
• Coordinate and follow up with the B&Z finance unit.
• Regular update of the estimated budget over the total duration of the project Coordinate activities

Human resources management:

• Recruitment, management, retention and training of the project team: skills and knowledge transfer, capacity strengthening
• Team leadership and internal communication
• Providing technical support to all project staff members.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback to team members.
• Identify training needs and organize capacity-building activities to enhance the team’s skills and knowledge
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence and grow as individuals and as a team according to B&Z culture.

Reporting:

• Develop communication material for internal and external audiences in collaboration with the B&Z Communications unit;
• Lead on and produce quality internal and external reports that are coherent and accurate with high professional standards in a timely manner.
• Reporting directly to the programs manager on a regular basis .
• Adhere to Basmeh & Zeitooneh’ Code of Conduct policy, understanding that all team members represent the organisation both inside and outside the office and should act in ways that bring credit to the organization.
• Represent the organization in meetings, workshops, working groups and conferences related to the project
• Participate in grant review and partner meetings .
• Update the consortium partners on B&Z project progress, and be the liaison between B&Z management and the consortium.

KPIs:

• Preparing a detailed implementation plan with weekly updates on milestone achievement rate based on work plan.
• Asset distribution: A detailed report on a weekly basis on asset distribution percentage, areas, quantity, challenges and lessons learned.
• Weekly coordination meetings with P&L team and program team to align next phases concerning asset distribution, delivery time and distribution site selection
• Regular meetings with MoA focal point regarding data sharing, verification and validation for asset distribution and cash transfers
• Ensuring that the budget expenditures are aligned with the budget forecast and work plan.

Education & Experience :

• University degree in Agro-economy, agriculture engineering or any other relevant field for the position.
• 3-5 years of experience in a similar position .
• Fluent in Arabic, with excellent written and verbal English skills and excellent reporting skills;
• Good knowledge and understanding of the socio-economic context in Beirut and Mount Lebanon.
• Good interpersonal skills and external relations;
• Strong humanitarian motivation and understanding of international assistance. Experience in dealing with local and public stakeholders;

Competencies

Functional :

• Strong organizational skills
• Coordination skills to follow up with team, municipalities, MoA
• Strong knowledge of Akkar (customs, traditions, locations)
• Strong team management skills
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Risk identification and mitigation

Behavioral :

• Interpersonal skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Cultural Intelligence
• Conflict Resolution & Negotiation