Project Manager (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the link provided)

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently works in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps is committed to generating positive opportunities for women, men, boys and girls from Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian communities, with a strong focus on engaging youth.  Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping build secure, productive and just communities. Our programs focus on four sectors:  Economic Opportunities, Governance and Social Stability, Youth and Protection, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). The Mercy Corps Lebanon team consists of over 180 staff working across six offices throughout Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon, Tripoli and the Bekaa Valley.

The “Fostering Resilience by Strengthening Abilities” FORSA II program is a 6.5 mio Euros integrated three-and-a-half-year (anticipated December 2019 - May 2023) program focusing on the nexus between education and employment. The program will target youth between the ages of 16-34 from Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian families, with a specific focus on women and girls in the target areas.  The overall objective is that women and youth are supported to access education and employment in targeted areas in the Bekaa and South.

The primary objectives of the program are that:

1. Youth from all targeted communities have improved market-driven skills as a result of better quality training systems;
2. Job placement systems provide equitable and sustainable access to jobs for targeted populations;
3. Male and female youth have improved pathways to self-employment.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Project Manager (training) is responsible for the technical oversight of the skills training component (objective 1) within the FORSA II program.  S/he will manage the training component team and ensure that activities within this component are implemented to a high quality, on time, and within budget.   S/he will ensure that activities in this component contribute to achieving key deliverables, including improved access to TVET education of women and youth.  As requested by the Program Manager, the successful candidate will assist with donor coordination throughout the grant, attend sector-specific meetings with peer organizations, as well as supporting and building partnerships with CBO’s, Private Sector, and Government.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Project Implementation

• Support the Program Manager and program team in planning and implementing project activities to meet project deliverables based on timeline and scope agreed with the donor;
• Oversee the successful implementation of program activities, ensuring that Coordinators are following work plans, that activities are on schedule, and that program deliverables are completed as promised;
• Contribute to data collection tools, assessments and mapping reports, as an integral part of the program;
• Conduct field assessments, make recommendations about the needs and vulnerabilities of the target populations in the program objectives;
• Provide day-to-day oversight and coordination, including administrative, financial and logistical support; Troubleshoot any administrative problems and report any challenges or bottlenecks to Program Manager;
• Participate in team planning and coordination meetings and trainings;
• Support monitoring and evaluation efforts to document project outputs, outcomes, and impact to inform donor and other internal reporting;
• Responsible for the filing and record keeping of project activities related to component 1;
• Contributes in the 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;
• Prepare weekly reports to be submitted to the Programme Manager. Contribute to quarterly reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor and internal requirements;
• Directly manage the program budget and complete financial planning to inform programming.

Project Coordination for TVET

• Lead the training component (component 1) processes design and implementation;
• Oversee outreach activities in target areas;
• Conduct the assessment and selection of TVET institutes as per agreed criteria;
• Design in collaboration with technical experts development plans for the TVET institutes;
• Coordinate financial and operational feasibility studies for TVET institutes’ capacity building plans;
• Lead on the preparation of tender and contracts for component 1, including technical specifications of work to be performed by contractors and sub-grantees;
• Lead on the selection and evaluation of training providers for vocational training and digital trainings;
• Identify new partnerships with the private sector for the provision of training and Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities;
• Collaborate closely with all key stakeholders in the TVET sector, including local and international NGOs, UN agencies and the MEHE;
• Collaborate closely with component 2 of the program to enhance linkages between job seekers, training institutes, and job platforms;
• Collaborate closely with component 3 of the program to ensure a transparent selection and smooth transition of graduates from component 1 to the self employment component pathway;
• Ensure that all training related interventions are in compliance with international norms and standards, national laws and policies, technical standards and organizational policies;
• Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation (M&E), accountability and learning systems;
• Draft pieces of operations guides (checklists, SOPs, best practices, etc);
• Manage relationships and performance of third-parties;
• Assist in the development of strategies to meet the program’s job placement targets through market-oriented solutions;
• Ensure the integration of adapted approaches to understand and respond to barriers to women and youth’s engagement in the workforce.

Coordination and Representation

• Liaise with local officials including municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, local NGOs and INGOs, key community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure successful deliverables;
• Build relationships with local authorities to introduce the project and facilitate access to information related to project activities and scope. Arrange for meetings as requested;
• 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.

Team Management

• Provide oversight and technical support to the component 1 team
• Develop and implement a comprehensive plan for staff capacity building

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;
• 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 in Lebanon;
• Participate in internal office coordination, planning meetings, and workshops;
• Other duties as assigned.

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 program participants/beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging particpants/beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: FORSA II Program team, MC Support Departments (MEL, HR, Finance, Operations), other employment programming within Mercy Corps Lebanon

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BA/S or equivalent in social science, management, economics, or other relevant field;
• At least five years of progressive experience and proven high level of competence in working in economic and market development;
• Proven ability to successfully implement economic development programming, including vocational training and capacity building to TVET institutes;
• Experience creating and managing detailed action/project plans and assessing impact to timelines and budget for change in scope or pivot in direction;
• Experience drafting detailed requirements for use by third parties to execute against;
• Proven ability to liaise with a network of government officials, NGOs, and potential implementing partners;
• Problem solvers with the ability to analyze and prioritize to meet objectives;
• Deep knowledge of Lebanon, in particular its economic challenges;
• Strong leadership and team management skills;
• Great communication skills and sense of humor;
• Knowledge of Mercy Corps’ MSME development model a plus;
• Proficiency in English essential.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

A successful candidate will have a passion for supporting and facilitating access to vocational training and education. 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.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.