Program Manager - Youth Protection & Livelihoods

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, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, and Iraq. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps has implemented community development programs focused on promoting economic development and increased opportunity for disadvantaged communities, while responding to emergencies as they emerged in the country.  In 2012, the program portfolio shifted in response to the massive refugee influx from Syria and Mercy Corps in Lebanon has solidified its emergency response programming while integrating longer-term development programming by focusing on key sectors: Protection, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH), Governance and Conflict, and Livelihoods.    Mercy Corps is launching the Youth for Tomorrow program, which will be implemented in Saida, Mt. Lebanon, and Tripoli. The program is designed to provide psychosocial support and market-driven skill-building opportunities for youth as well as promoting community responsiveness to their needs and enhancing the quality of services provided to adolescents in the community.   GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY The Program Manager for Youth Protection and Livelihoods is responsible for the planning and implementation of the program through structured oversight and coordination with field-based staff to achieve program targets. S/he will be the primary program representative to relevant government entities, private sector actors, local and international partners, and external stakeholders. The Program Manager will be responsible for donor coordination throughout the grant as well as contributing to broader strategic vision to expand and scale Mercy Corps’ Youth and Protection portfolios in Lebanon.   ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Program Management Manage implementation of the Youth for Tomorrow program to achieve key deliverables and targets, including designing and managing overall community mobilization strategies, committee selection processes, capacity building, and identification of priorities; Conduct regular monitoring of program activities and program impact, per Mercy Corps Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and in accordance with existing related guidelines and donor regulations; Overview program budget and complete financial planning to inform programming including monthly projections and budget reviews; Write regular donor and organizational reports to highlight program successes and challenges. Facilitate establishment of partner sub-grants to establish clear and productive partnerships with local organization that support grant implementation and empower local organizations;   Team Management Supervise teams to develop work plans focused on key outputs and outcomes; Ensure field teams complete tasks as assigned in a timely, professional way; Collaborate and guide local partners inform planning and implementation of assessments and reports, as well as to meet key deliverables;   Coordination and Representation Represent Mercy Corps at relevant coordination meetings in Beirut and in field locations to foster greater coordination and information sharing; Serve as primary contact for the program with national and municipal-level officials to explain the objectives and parameters of the programs, as well as local NGOs and program partners, local religious leaders and other community members to ensure support for and acceptance of Mercy Corps; Develop and maintain working relationships and coordinate with relevant international and local agencies active emergency response and community development, including donors, other humanitarian organizations, local authorities and local partners;   Other Commitment to implementation of Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards (PM@MC) to ensure all project planning and documentation is completed in timely manner; Ensure interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity Policy and Do No Harm strategies; Participate in internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops; Other assigned tasks, as necessary.   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: Project Manager, Protection Technical Advisors, Senior Field Coordinators, M&E Coordinator, Grants and Compliance Officer   ACCOUNTABILITY: Reports directly to:  Director of Programs Works directly with:  Operations, Finance, Program Performance, Program Managers, and M&E Focal Points   KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE MA in international development, social work, social sciences, psychology or other relevant field; Demonstrated expertise in participatory community-based programs, with at least 5-7 years of relevant and/or field-based experience including management experience; Extensive experience in designing and implementing protection or livelihood development programming in Lebanon, with an understanding of the 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; Strong communication skills; Fluency in English is essential; fluency in Arabic preferred.   SUCCESS FACTORS A successful candidate will have the ability to work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will have proven experience working effectively and respectfully with host country government and other authorities as well as NGO and CBO representatives. S/he will have a record of accomplishment that demonstrates attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, and successfully meeting programmatic deadlines.  Sensitivity to multi-cultural international development work and a commitment to working with community members to create safe, nurturing places for youth that foster greater inclusion in the community and productive livelihoods. The ability to solve problems creatively, juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines, and diplomatically manage unexpected and sudden events affecting program operations is essential. A good sense of humor is highly appreciated.