Syria Projects Manager

  Job Title Project Manager Directorate or Region MENA Department/Country Programmes and Partnerships, Syria Location of post Beirut, Lebanon Pay Band Locally Appointed- Grade G (LBP 2,571,207 plus daily transport allowance LBP 8,000 per working day) Reports to Head Programmes and Partnerships Duration of job Two years   Purpose of job To manage the implementation and quality assurance of British Council Syria projects by working with relevant partners, stakeholders and wider target audiences in Syria, Lebanon and the UK to ensure the successful delivery of agreed objectives and plans. The post holder is also required to assist in income generation through full-cost recovery contracts and co-funded partnerships.   Context and environment The British Council is present in 17 countries across the MENA region, delivering programmes that build trust and create opportunity for the UK and the people of the region. British Council Syria contributes to the MENA vision of providing tens of millions of young people with access to the UK’s language, education and culture, and equipping them with the skills and support they need to build more stable and inclusive societies.   The British Council has been present in Syria since 1956 and has a long history of building cultural relations between the UK and Syria. Currently, the British Council office in Damascus is closed and our operations in-country is suspended, but we remain committed to resuming our operations on the ground in Syria as the situation permits. Nonetheless, responding to the impact of the Syrian crisis in the region is a top priority for the British Council and therefore we are now looking to expand our small team in order to develop a more coherent, coordinated and scalable response.   Despite the suspension of operations inside Syria in 2012, the British Council has continued to deliver cultural relations programming in refugee-hosting countries and elsewhere that aim to make a lasting difference in the lives of Syrians and affected host communities. Our work has focused on supporting a new generation of Syrian social leaders, creating pathways to greater hope and opportunity for young Syrians, and contributing to systemic development in neighbouring countries struggling to cope with the Syrian refugee crisis.   The British Council’s response to the Syrian crisis is delivered through multiple teams in offices across the key refugee-hosting countries in the region (Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq) who deliver projects for Syrian refugees and affected host communities, as well as the British Council Syria team, which supports Syrians inside Syria and the diaspora and coordinates multi-country/regional initiatives. Through our longstanding presence in the most affected refugee-hosting countries we are able to deliver a multi-country, networked approach to the crisis.  Our values and longevity in the region means we are trusted by key parties in host countries, and by civil society in Syria, to deliver sensitive work where others are not.   The Programmes and Partnerships team within British Council Syria manages all aspects of business development and delivery.  Working closely with colleagues across British Council (regionally and locally), the team is responsible for ensuring the quality and consistency of projects and programmes, meeting the expectations of contractors and partners.  This includes:  managing all aspects of   across the portfolio.  The team also provides input into business development, product development, proposals and business case production to ensure that robust delivery processes and delivery models are in place.   This post holder will be a key member of the Syria Programmes and Partnerships team, reporting to the Head of Programmes and Partnerships and closely working with other Project Managers, Communications Manager, as well as the regional sector and functions managers. Therefore, s/he is required to demonstrate excellent relationship building for influence, project management and entrepreneurial, communication and team working skills, as well as income generation experience.   Accountabilities, responsibilities and main duties:   Project implementation & quality assurance Plan, implement, monitor and evaluate the high quality delivery of agreed projects through working with the Head of Programmes and Partnerships, regional project managers, local partners, stakeholders, professionals and consultants to meet the needs of stakeholders, partners and customers, and achieve the project objectives and outcomes. Work closely with the Communications Manager to ensure that: British Council brand standards are upheld, effective marketing and communications plans are created and implemented, and that impact/ Key Performance Indicators are measured throughout. Proactively communicate our projects and programmes to both external and internal audiences through a variety of channels so as to create positive impact for the UK and British Council. Ensure budgets, income targets and audiences for the projects are agreed annually with senior management and where necessary with MENA Regional Project Managers and the UK and monitored on a monthly basis.  Identify opportunities to support the British Council’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) policy, and considers all seven areas of the EDI framework in planning and implementation of programme and project activities. Use and clear understanding of computer system based tools (SAP) for reporting and management information extraction.   Monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning: Ensure all aspects of the implemented projects in Syria and host countries have a monitoring process embedded, that evaluations are conducted in line with the projects requirements and that lessons learned both feed into ongoing projects design and delivery and are more widely disseminated through agreed channels. Produce regular reports on projects activities and finances– on a regular basis to the Head Programmes and Partnerships. Participate in wider project progress reporting meetings with the project team and partners. Provide feedback and contribute to drafting of major financial and technical reports to donors when applicable  Ensure that project outcomes and impacts are measured and reported according to corporate standards including scorecard systems   Financial and budget management Draft budgets and actively manage finances in line with British Council processes and standards: Plan, forecast and monitor spending in line with agreed projects budget and expenditure Prepare accurate, timely, realistic and feasible monthly cash projection in accordance to the approved activity plans. Ensure effective financial management of assigned projects using SAP and off-system tools. Ensure, control and monitor the payment process to the contracted partners, suppliers and service providers.   Risk and compliance: In coordination with the Head of Programmes and Partnerships, ensure that risks are identified and monitored and agree actions to address risks. Escalate risks to Country Director/Head Programmes and Partnerships as appropriate. Ensure that the all projects meets all relevant internal and external compliance and requirements (financial, HR, quality management, procurement, security etc.).   Relationship building and managing networks Identify, build and maintain strategic relationships and partnerships with external stakeholders including donor, INGOs, private sector organisations, media, schools, further and higher education institutions, local NGOS, academics, research institutions.   Other administrative work: As required   Key relationships: Internal: Head Programmes & Partnerships Programme Officer British Council local, regional and UK programmes teams and SBU specialists British Council cross-departmental teams (Marketing and Communications, Finance and Resources) Country Director   External Local and international NGOs working on the Syria response inside Syria and in host countries Donors and agencies including EU Delegation, UN agencies, FCO and British Embassy Media   Other important features or requirements of the job (e.g. travel, unsocial/evening hours, restrictions on employment etc.) Working hours are variable according to events and can include evenings and occasional weekends.  The role includes representing the British Council at external events where appropriate.  On certain days it may be necessary to work longer hours to cater for key deadlines. Please specify any passport/visa and/or nationality requirement. Post holder must be eligible to work in Lebanon.  When required, successful candidate needs to secure, at his/her own cost and liability, the appropriate work and residency permits and any other required document, as well as any renewals thereof, from the Lebanese competent authorities. Please indicate if any security or legal checks are required for this role. In line with local legislation                                                                                                     Person Specification     Essential Desirable   Assessment stage Behaviours Being Accountable (more demanding): Putting the needs of the team or British Council ahead of my own   Connecting with others (essential): Actively appreciating the needs and concerns of myself and others.     Interview   Creating Shared Purpose (essential): Communicating and engaging picture of how we can work together.   Making it happen (more demanding): Challenging myself and others to deliver and measure better results.   Working Together (Essential) establish a genuinely common goal with others.   Shaping the Future (Essential); looking for ways in which we can do things better     Required for the role but not assessed during the application stage   Skills and Knowledge Planning and organising level 2 - Plans ahead: Organises own work over weeks and months, or plans ahead for others, taking account of priorities and the impact on other people. Managing Finance and Resources level 3: Supports budget management - Monitors and controls an agreed budget within a defined area, producing reports and analyses and contributing to planning. Managing projects level 3 – leads smaller projects: Analyses requirements with the sponsor/stakeholders, defining the specification, planning, revising, implementing and evaluating on small-to-medium scale and/or low risk projects. Using technology level 2 - Operates as an advanced user: Works as an advanced practitioner in the use of office software and/or British Council standard and social media platforms and trains or coaches others in their use.   Written and spoken English (C1 Level)     Fluent in written and spoken Arabic   Knowledge of the donor and partner sectors operating in the Syria response                                               Good command of written and spoken French     Shortlisting/ Interview             Shortlisting/ interview         Shortlisting/ interview           Shortlisting/ interview           Interview and test (if no certificate can be provided)     Shortlisting Experience 3 years’ experience working with INGOs/NGOs in a development context, within fragile or conflict affected states.   Proven track record of relevant work experience as project manager leading projects with production, planning, fundraising, communications, evaluation and reporting.   Proven experience and significant understanding  of the Syrian crisis and response   Proven knowledge of Syria’s current educational, social and political landscape   Proven experience of working in conflict sensitive environments           Shortlisting Qualifications University Degree in related area: Development studies, Business Management, Public Administration, non-profit Management.  Or professional qualification. Project Management qualifications Shortlisting