Livelihoods Assistant Project Officer-Ppll

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. The agency pursues its mission through emergency relief services, sustainable community development, civil society and economic development initiatives. Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Libya. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps promotes economic development and increased opportunity for marginalized communities while responding to emergencies as they have emerged. Until recently Mercy Corps’ focus has focused on bolstering civil society and give voice to under-represented groups through the empowerment of young leaders. Recently, the country office portfolio expanded in response to the massive refugee influx from Syria, to address key needs like non-food items/winterization, water and sanitation, child protection, and capacity building. Mercy Corps is launching the “Protect and Provide Livelihoods in Lebanon” (PPLL) project.  The overall objective of the project is to mitigate the medium to long term impact of the Syrian refugee crisis on Lebanese host communities.  The project will be implemented in the Beqaa and it is funded by the European Commission (EC) for a period of 24 months.  It will focus on collaborating with market actors within value chains—inputs providers, producers, agro-businesses, and end-buyers—in the agriculture sector to protect the incomes of small and medium producers. In addition, the project will strengthen coping mechanisms of both Lebanese and Syrian households through increased household resource management skills.  Lastly, PPLL will help increase the household cash flow of vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian households through cash-for-work activities and also strengthen the agriculture infrastructure in the targeted areas. GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: The Assistant Project Officer will provide support to the Livelihood Project Manager in all aspects of implementing the PPLL project to ensure that the project meets its targets and deliverables on-time and within budget.  He/she will closely work with the local partner organization and ensure accountability to Mercy Corps’ policies and donor rules and regulations. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Program Implementation: Support the Project Manager in planning and implementing program activities to meet key deliverables based on timeline and scope agreed with the donor; Liaise with key stakeholders to build Mercy Corps acceptance within local communities to facilitate program implementation, including informing the wider community actors about Mercy Corps’ programming; 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 Program Manager; Support Project Manager in organizing meetings and community engagement sessions, including with small producers, agribusinesses, unions and local municipalities, Participate in monitoring and evaluation system design and implementation for all aspects of the program, including monitoring  program progress by developing and applying monitoring tools to inform reports to donors and key stakeholders; Assist in analysis of data collected to facilitate assessment results and lessons learnt;  Assist in filing and record keeping of program activities; Implement Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity policy and applies Do No Harm approaches; 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; Other assigned tasks, as necessary.   KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:  BA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development or other relevant field. Communication skills required, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues. Experience in livelihoods, early recovery, and market-based programs, preferred. Strong written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing and editing. 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. Knowledge and understanding of the current political, economic, cultural and historical context of the Beqaa, including prior experience. SUCCESS FACTORS: The successful Assistant Project Officer will be able to multi-task, prioritize, problem solve. S/he will have attention to detail and an ability to work independently. Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving is essential in a complex security and political environment like Lebanon. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.