Community Support Program Implementation Specialist or Manager

About Chemonics
Chemonics International is an international development company based in Washington, D.C. Our mission is to promote meaningful change around the world to help people live healthier, more productive and more independent lives. Since 1975 we have worked in 149 countries around the world, and currently implement 113 contracts in 68 countries. Our main partner is the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), but we occasionally work with foreign donors as well. We have over 600 staff based in our Washington, DC office and over 3000 staff in our project offices around the world.

USAID/Lebanon Community Support Program (CSP)
This 5 year project aims to support municipalities and underserved and vulnerable communities in providing better services and enhanced economic opportunities to improve lives and reduce tensions that contribute to conflict and violence in Lebanon. We’re a regionally based program, based in Beirut with activities in Bekaa, North, and South Lebanon. Chemonics is the sole owner of the Lebanon Community Support Program IDIQ contract. We currently have two Task Orders. Task Order 01 (which covers Operations and Management) and Task Order 02 (covers our technical community support work). We may be awarded more task orders in the future.

1. Summary of Position

The Community Support Program Implementation Specialist or Manager is a professional position based in CSP’s Task Order No. 2 (TO 2) activity, which is focused on the design and implementation of community support assistance interventions. Reporting to the Senior Program Manager or TO 2 Director, the Program Implementation Specialist or Manager will enhance and streamline activity implementation through the award of grants, MOUs, subcontracts and the provision of equipment and technical assistance to local partners. S/he will coordinate and liaise closely with the TO 2 technical team and the Activity Fund Team to ensure sound, compliant, and timely implementation of all community support assistance interventions.

2.  Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Follows Chemonics and USAID policies, practices, and procedures relating to all aspects of the implementation, and close-out of community support interventions (including grants and MOUs).
• Coordinates closely with the Regional Program Managers (RPM) and Senior Program Manager (SPM) about the technical requirements of CSP’s community support interventions to ensure smooth and compliant implementation of all technical activities.
• Liaises with CSP’s Activity Fund Team on the implementation of activities, and makes sure that procurement requisitions are initiated on time and as per the activities’ requirements.
• Analyzes, assesses, and assists with budgetary, financial, and procurement requirements of activity implementation.
• Appropriately plans for procurement of materials and services, and cash disbursement needs for sound activity implementation throughout the life of the project.
• Continuously monitors key dates and timelines for CSP activities, identifying critical actions and completing them before the deadlines.
• Reviews detailed budgets as part of the Activity Approval Package before submission to USAID for approval. Makes recommendations for completeness and accuracy based on knowledge of local market.
• Assists with developing any applicable training, technical assistance, and capacity buidling needs of potential grantees and partners, with a particular emphasis on establishing controls for expenditures and reporting.
• Monitors compliance of all agreements during the implementation of activities and prepares necessary reports.
• For grants, ensures that all agreement-specific requirements are met in a satisfactory and professional manner including activity progress, reporting, and invoicing.
• Ensures that activities and grants are closed out within required time frames, by leading the close-out process.
• Travels to field locations if/as needed to support activity implementation.

• Performs any other relevant duties as assigned by supervisor.

3.  Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• At least five years working in the relief and development sector in Lebanon on projects funded by international donors (USAID experience preferred).
• Candidates with more than five years of directly relevant experience, combined with prior management and supervision experience, may considered at the manager level.
• Experience providing material and technical assistance to sub-national government entities in Lebanon and/or community-based organizations.
• Experience with grant, subcontract, and procurement management required.
• Experience with stabilization, service delivery, and livelihoods programming prefered.
• Solid understanding of the project management life cycle.
• Experience working across Lebanon, specifically vulnerable communities in the North, Beqaa and the South regions.
• Fluent Arabic and English speaking and writing skills.

4.  Place of Assignment

The Program Implementation Specialist or Manager will be based in the project’s main office in Beirut, Lebanon, and travel throughout the country as needed.

5.  Reporting

The Program Implementation Specialist or Manager will report directly to the Senior Program Manager or TO 2 Director.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment based on their qualifications without discrimination.