Program Manager

The Program Manager oversees all programmatic aspects of the BALADI PLUS program and ensures that objectives are met. The position reports directly to the BALADI PLUS Chief of Party. Program Summary: The Building Alliances for Local Advancement, Development, and Investment (BALADI) Plus project is intended to offer technical assistance to select municipalities to allow them to better manage their resources and respond to citizen demands, and to foster civic engagement in municipal life, through close collaboration with USAID/Lebanon’s BALADI project.    Specific Duties and Responsibilities Act as an expert referent on the regulatory environment in which municipalities operate and provide technical advice. Provide support to the COP in managing, providing technical advice on and monitoring all components and assure that the overall program is meeting proposed objectives. Supervise the Local Governance, the Civil Society Advocacy and the M&E Specialists. Serve as the principal point of contact and maintain a close coordination with the main actors of the BALADI program. Coordinate with the PACE program, notably on matters related to civil society and advocacy. Coordinate with other initiatives in the field of decentralization and local governance to avoid duplication, seek synergy and share lessons. Oversee assessments of needs and capacities of municipalities, in coordination with the BALADI program. Engage local government leaders in workshops to identify their priorities and ideas for enhancing the quality of local governance and the participation of citizens. Maintain a database of training resources and provide leadership in designing customized action plans to support selected municipalities/unions and in designing the appropriate training and technical assistance they require. Promote development of plans and support implementation of municipal urban development projects that are conducted by municipalities in conjunction with civil society groups. Promote dialogue across municipal governments to share lessons learned and experiences that will improve good governance practices. Produce regular progress reports and identify success stories and lessons learnt.    Professional skills 5 years minimum of experience working on decentralization and local government issues, including at least 2 years of experience in building the capacity of local government and municipalities. Program management experience with NGOs/civil society organizations or donor organizations; Experience supporting the implementation of municipal urban development projects. Donor-funded project experience preferred. Willingness and ability to travel throughout the country Fluency in Arabic and English (written and verbal).   Applications are due no later than November 30, 2012. Note that applications may be viewed and applicants contacted prior to the close date Cover letters, CVs, and a completed AID 1420-17 (Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet) should be submitted to baladiplus@msi-lebanon.com  Please include BALADI PLUS and the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line.  AID 1420-17 forms can be downloaded from this site: http://www.usaid.gov/forms. Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.