Field Coordinator - Chouf

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

Working under the direction of the Program Manager, the Field Coordinator will support in the planning, monitoring, coordination, and supervision of the program activities to be implemented in the Chouf area.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Project Implementation:

Support the Project Manager and INTAJ team in planning and implementing project activities to meet project deliverables based on timeline and scope agreed with the donor;

Provide day-to-day support and coordination, including administrative, financial and logistical support. Trouble shoot any administrative problems and report any challenges or bottlenecks to the Project Manager;

Support the Project Manager and INTAJ team in implementing activities and monitoring of project progress;

Build relationships with unions and local municipalities to introduce the project and facilitate access to information related to project activities and scope. Arrange for meetings with local entities and authorities, as requested;

Participate in team planning and coordination meetings and trainings;

Support the Project Manager in conducting periodic risk assessments to update implementation plan accordingly;

Support monitoring and evaluation efforts to document project outputs, outcomes, and impact to inform donor and other internal reporting;

Assist in filing and record keeping of project activities;

Assist in analysis of data collected to facilitate assessment results and lessons learnt;  

Monitor adherence to grant agreement, Mercy Corps policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations. Facilitate internal Mercy Corps procurement processes;

Prepare weekly reports to be submitted to the Project Manager. Contribute to quarterly reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor and internal requirements;

Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;

Project Coordination

Facilitate improved solid waste management/recycling (SWM/R) processing, production and marketing practices, as well as in-kind support to existing or emerging market actors such as Municipalities and Unions of Municipalities;

Strengthen linkages across SWM/R value chain and to peripheral industries (i.e. Producers, suppliers, traders, buyers and financial institutions);

Assist with the strategies to support institutional and community capacity building to enhance the enabling environment (i.e. technical capacity building to municipalities as solid waste producers/market actors, sub-grants to private service providers to upgrade municipal waste management capacity;

Coordinate and assist with the monitoring and evaluation (M&E), accountability and learning systems for optimal component quality and local partner organization capacity strengthening.

Develop and implement a comprehensive and flexible work plan ensuring social stability, inter-communal aspects, and conflict sensitivity are mainstreamed across activities and interventions with municipalities, governmental organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), Community Based Organizations (CBO), and program teams;

Coordinate, support, or develop high quality proposals submitted in a timely manner;

Conduct regular field visits to support and coach local partners to carry out effective activities;

Support program team in understanding best practices and foundational tools for designing and implementing quality conflict mitigation, inter-communal, social cohesion and stability programming, and incorporating them throughout projects;

Coordination and Representation

Liaise with local officials including municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, local NGOs and INGOs, project partners, key community leaders), and other relevant stakeholders to ensure successful deliverables;

Develop and maintain working relationships and coordinate with relevant international and local agencies active in the livelihoods and economic development sector;

Represent Mercy Corps at local coordination meetings, where relevant.

Training and mentoring

Support the SWM/R Component Lead in the training and mentoring local government, civil society leaders, CBOs, and NGOs in solid waste management and recycling;

Support the Governance Component Lead in training and mentoring local government, civil society leaders, CBOs, and NGOs in negotiating and building social stability;

Support the Governance Component Lead in providing technical training and guidance to program team, including negotiation, conflict analysis, conflict sensitivity, community mobilization and multi-stakeholder dialogue.

Information Management and Analysis

Produce regular briefs and progress reports on the main meetings and achievements;

Work closely with the Senior M&E coordinator to analyze the learning reviews, understand social stability trends, and develop strategies accordingly;

Develop a comprehensive database on progress, needs, and resources of local authorities, CBOs, and other partners;

Other

Ensure all activities are gender sensitive and follow Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity Policy;

Apply Do No Harm standards to ensure activities do not have detrimental effects on vulnerable communities;

Contribute to monthly reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor and internal requirements;

Participate in internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops;

Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;

Other assigned tasks, as necessary.

Accountability

Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

Organizational Learning  

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve.  We expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

Reports directly to:  Governance Component Lead

Works directly with:  Operations, Finance, Field Coordinators, Component Leads, and M&E Teams

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

BA/S or equivalent in social science, management, economics, international development, conflict mitigation, social sciences, international relations or other relevant field.

At least two-three years of progressive experience and proven high level of competence in working in development-related programs or in peacebuilding, conflict mitigation and prevention;

Experience working with local communities

Proven track record in staff and stakeholder training and capacity building.

Strong leadership and communication skills.

Positive, respectful attitude, and collaborative approach to problem solving;

Demonstrated attention to detail; ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently, as well as cooperatively with team members;

Strong communication, coordination, and networking skills; experience developing and managing relationships with diverse stakeholders;

Strong understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues and ability to work with refugee and host community populations;

Ability and interest to work with a multi-ethnic team in a culturally appropriate manner;

Significant knowledge and understanding of the current political, economic, cultural and historical context of Lebanon preferred;

Ability and willingness to travel regularly to the field;

Strong written and oral communication skills in both English and Arabic (Arabic is strongly required)

SUCCESS FACTORS

A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to promote new approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will have proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results.  Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.