Governance Component Lead

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

Working under the direction of the Program Manager, the Governance Component Lead will be responsible for the technical quality related to the capacity building and training activities with municipalities, governmental organizations, Community Councils, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), Community Based Organizations (CBO), and program teams. S/he will advise on the design, planning, implementation and monitoring of the INTAJ governance work in three Unions of Municipalities in North Lebanon and Chouf to ensure interventions strategically achieve key results.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Guidance

With Programme Manager, Solid Waste Management Component Lead, and Project Manager, develop workplan for governance activities in the program

Lead development of participatory community councils in three unions of municipalities

Develop comprehensive capacity building plans, provide technical support, and monitor the implementation of capacity building efforts for municipalities, governmental organizations, NGOs, CBOs, and program teams;

In coordination with the program team, undertake, adapt, and develop training programs, capacity assessments, and evaluation tools that are culturally appropriate and according to relevant framework and quality management systems;

Harmonize and standardize training and capacity development initiatives across the identified Unions of Municipalities;

Develop and support team to conduct Participatory Needs Assessment in the targeted communities;

Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders and maintain good knowledge of information for training delivery;

Liaise and coordinate closely with partners and organizations working on capacity building initiatives to prevent duplication of work;

Produce monthly reports on the progression of the capacity building activities;

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

Develop a comprehensive database on progress, needs, and resources of local authorities, CBOs and other partners with regards to capacity building;

Support Program team to undertake tasks related to the preparation, organization, implementation, and follow up of capacity building sessions, workshops, community activities, community dialogues, and meetings as required;

Team Capacity Building

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

Ensure that the team fully adhere to international, technical and organizational minimum standards, including adopting gender, conflict sensitive, and participatory approaches to ensure that Do No Harm and other principles are fully respected;

Team Management

Ensure direct reports have clear work plans

Provide performance reviews and regular performance feedback to direct reports

Identify capacity building opportunities for direct reports

 Other

Represent Mercy Corps’ work at Beirut and field-based levels, as needed, to foster greater connections and information sharing including participating in workshops and tasks forces, as needed, to inform strategy development and improved service delivery;

Fulfill Mercy Corps Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide;

Ensure activities promote gender equity, conflict sensitivity, and environmental awareness by applying Do No Harm and Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity policy;

Contribute to programme development activities as appropriate

Participate in internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops;

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: Field Coordinators

ACCOUNTABILITY:

Reports directly to:  Program Manager

Works directly with:  Operations, Finance, Project Managers, Field Coordinator, Field teams, M&E Team, and partners.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

BA/S or equivalent in governance studies, development studies, social work, social sciences, human rights, or other relevant field required, MA preferred;

At least 3-4 years of relevant experience working with local governance structures;

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

Experience with relief and socio-economic development work in a vulnerable context;

Knowledge of Lebanon, in particular its political context, displacement context, economic challenges, social stability and resilience mechanisms relevant to internal conflict preferred; preference also given to candidates with background in the Middle East region;

Proven track record in staff and stakeholder training, mentoring and capacity building;

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

Ability and willingness to travel regularly to the field;

Strong communication skills in both English and Arabic (Arabic is strongly required), including report development, writing, and editing;

Proficiency in English essential

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.