Project Director - Amman, Jordan

The main aim of this project is to improve the knowledge, skills and leadership capacity of refugees and vulnerable host community members in Amman, enabling greater access to tertiary education and the labour market.

General Purpose of the Position

The Project Director is responsible for the direction of a local JRS project and its staff. The responsibilities of this position include proposing new initiatives and developing project proposals; implementation and evaluation of the approved proposal; administration of the project finances; and care for the JRS team; relations with the local refugee population and with local authorities. The Project Director reports directly to the Country Director.

Main Responsibilities of the Position

1. Direction of the work of JRS at the field level:

1. Safeguards the vision, identity and unity of JRS at the project level.
2. Implements the project according to the approved project proposal.
3. Monitors and evaluates the progress of the project.
4. Facilitates reflection on and evaluation of the project by JRS team.
5. Knows and understands well JRS policies and implements them at the project level.
6. Submits new initiatives based on regular needs assessment.
7. Develops criteria for inclusion of students and maintains the transparency of the selection.
8. Revises and adapts the curriculum.
9. Opens/closes classes based on objective criteria/evaluation.
10. Supervises the process for intake and evaluation of students.
11. Ensures follow-up on the future of the participants.
12. Supervises the stipends objective and social events. 

2. Care for personnel

1. Supports team members in their work, supervises them, plans and coordinates with them, and  provides training.
2. Facilitates regular team meetings for updates and project evaluation and improvement.
3. Together with the Country Director, makes decisions regarding the hiring and termination of project staff.
4. Makes sure that each team member has a signed contract and Code of Conduct.
5. Ensures that the Contract and Code of Conduct are discussed with each team member so that they understand their role and responsibilities as JRS team member.
6. Implements an annual performance evaluation with each team member in coordination with the HR Officer.

3. Administration and Finance

1. Participates in JRS Jordan core staff weekly meeting.
2. Develops proposals and budgets in collaboration with the Country Director.
3. With the JRS Country Office Finance Officer’s assistance, administers the project’s finances, guaranteeing a proper accounting of all project expenses.
4. Ensures that the project expenses always match the authorized budget.
5. Works with the Country Director to develop and submits the annual budgets to JRS.
6. Ensures that the monthly activity report reaches the Country Office in a timely fashion.

4. Procurement and Logistics

1. Ensures that materials and equipment needed for the project are obtained at the best possible price.
2. Monitors and regulates use of materials and equipment.
3. Ensures that equipment is repaired when necessary.
4. Ensures that the logistics is available and supervises the administrators for each Centre (transportation, maintenance…).

5. Communication

1. Communicates and meets regularly with the Country Director, to report on all major issues and developments in the field and within the team.
2. Together with the project team members, writes the six-month and annual project reports.
3. Is the focal point for contact with universities and course providers. Designs clear framework/criteria for eligibility of cooperation and evaluation of the partnership.
4. Is the focal point for Jordan administration regarding the PPSE project (MOBEC, JORISS…).

6. Advocacy

1. Where helpful and necessary, intervenes with local authorities on behalf of refugees.
2. Animates and supports local authorities and church structures in addressing issues involving refugees and other forcibly displaced persons.
3. Establishes a comprehensive referral system to facilitate to refugees access to appropriate services delivered by other NGO or Agencies.

• Ensures prompt execution of other tasks that are within the ambit of the position as requested by the Country Director or his/her nominee.

Qualifications and Skills

• Compassion and strong commitment for the cause of refugees and other displaced persons
• University Degree in Social Sciences, International Development, Public Administration or any other related field preferable.
• Proven managerial experience.
• Experience in managing budget.
• Experience working in a humanitarian organization or in a humanitarian context would be an asset.
• Very good knowledge of English and Arabic; both written and spoken is required.
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to quickly prioritize activities to meet the demands of the programme in a rapidly changing context.
• Good interpersonal and facilitation skills with the ability to lead teams to reach consensus on complex and/or divisive issues.
• Capacity to delegate and to supervise the work of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work in multicultural environment.
• Ability to perform under pressure.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and support, and respecting deadlines.
• Interest in psychosocial support and education.
• Previous work experience in Jordan or the region is preferred.