Project Manager -Child And Youth Protection (Cyp)

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Libya. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps has been running community development programs focused on promoting economic development and increased opportunity for disadvantaged communities, while responding to emergencies as they have emerged. Recently, the program portfolio has expanded in response to the massive refugee influx from Syria, including grants from UNICEF, UNHCR, European Commission, Canadian and American governments, and private foundations. The emergency response and resilience components of the portfolio will be an increasing focus and driver of programming in Lebanon. CONTEXT As the Syrian conflict persists, instability and insecurity continue to impact the daily lives of boys, girls, adolescents and their caregivers inLebanon, exposing them increasingly to protection violations. Tensions between refugees and host communities are worsening, with children emulating the discriminatory attitudes they witness. This is exacerbated by a lack of services and resources, as well as perceptions of unequal support for increasingly vulnerable host communities. Child protection actors are working to provide protective environments for all children inLebanon. However, as needs are increasing, funding is decreasing and is mostly short term. The deteriorating socio-economic situation of many refugees and vulnerable Lebanese, coupled with limited livelihoods opportunities and limited access to education, has contributed to families using negative coping mechanisms, such as child labour and child marriage. Breakdown of protection community mechanisms also place children and caregivers at greater risk of violence, exploitation, and abuse.  Greater focus is required on prevention and mitigating the impact of the crisis on women, boys and girls by continuing to strengthen and improve quality of PSS, case management and access to specialized services. Services need to be made available for all children regardless of their nationalities. Working with children caregivers, families and communities at large is crucial to complement the support to institutions. Both system building and community based approaches are key to create a protective environment for children and to build resilience. GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY The Project Manager will provide strategic direction, technical oversight and day-to-day management of Mercy Corps’ Child and Youth Protection portfolio. S/he will manage project staff and affiliates, ensure effective coordination with international, national and local partners, and oversee financial and project reporting.  ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Program Management Supervise Beqaa, South Lebanon and Mount Lebanon child protection  teams to develop and implement work plans focused on key outputs and outcomes; Develop systems that promote strong communication within and between the Beqaa, South Lebanon and Mount Lebanon teams to leverage internal knowledge and synergies for greater results; Strengthen data collection, knowledge management and M&E mechanisms to inform more effective programming and advocacy; Create systems to oversee and manage child protection teams, local partners and outreach workers to ensure compliance with quality standards; Liaise with UNICEF and UNHCR on a regular basis to provide programme updates and coordinate actions; Collaborate with other sectors within Mercy Corps Lebanon, including WASH and livelihoods, to ensure that child protection is mainstreamed across sectoral interventions; Adhere to  organisational Program Management Minimum Standards and guidelines; Ensure that all interventions are designed, implemented and monitored with a gender equity, conflict sensitivity, and environmental awareness lens.  Technical Support Provide strategic direction and technical guidance to field teams to systematically strengthen the capacities of select SDCs and local partners to protect children from all forms of violence; Apply technical knowledge to strengthen community-based and informal service delivery mechanisms to prevent, mitigate risks and respond to a wide range of child protection issues, including ensuring linkages to Social Development Centers, local municipalities, schools, and local organizations; Build team and local partner capacity on protection and humanitarian work through workshops and coaching targeting national teams, community organizations and leaders, service providers, and ministries; Develop and implement self-care modules for frontline workers to promote well-being; Advise on key linkages between child protection and education, health and other key sectors to develop synergies within programming and between sectors; Promote synergies between Mercy Corps’ child protection, adolescents, GBV and broader protection programming to generate and implement integrated solutions; Communicate with Mercy Corps’ Technical Support Unit experts to ensure best practices and technical knowledge are applied; Ensure all programming follows Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct and Child Protection Policy by increasing team capacity to disseminate and apply;  Strategy, Program Development, Representation Lead strategy development inform Mercy Corps’ child protection and psychosocial programming to strengthen ongoing programming and build greater sustainable mechanisms; Draft new concept notes and proposals to expand the portfolio to new donors and greater geographic areas by filling in critical humanitarian and development gaps; Represent Mercy Corps’ child protection efforts at national and local level coordination meetings; Create communication materials that highlight Mercy Corps’ approaches and successes; Participate in internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops; 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: Child Protection Field Coordinators and Capacity Building Officers based in Zahle, Salima, Nabatiyeh ACCOUNTABILITY: Reports directly to:  Protection Sector Manager Works directly with:  Operations, Finance, Program, and M&E Teams KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE BA/S or equivalent in social science, management, international development, or other relevant field; MA/S in law, international relations, human rights or other relevant field preferred but not necessary. 5 years of progressive experience and proven high level of competence in working in child protection-related projects, ideally in relief and/or post-conflict settings. Solid understanding of child protection and experience with local systems strengthening and community-based protection.    Good understanding of the linkages and intersections between child protection and social welfare, justice, education and health, with ability to advise and implement strategies that promote coordination between sectors; Ability to lead team to successfully design, implement, and manage community-based child protection programming focused on psycho-social support. Specialized background in gender, child protection, and minority rights and other vulnerable groups preferred. Knowledge of Lebanon, in particular its displacement context, and protection threats relevant to internal conflict preferred; preference also given to candidates with a background in the North Africa – Middle East region. Strong knowledge of, and experience with, international humanitarian and human rights laws. Proven track record in leading and managing multi-ethnic and diverse teams, networking and resource mobilization. Strong leadership and effective communication skills. Proficiency in English essential Arabic competitive advantage  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 ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results based on programmatic needs. Knowledge of security standards, equipment, precautionary measures, communication protocols, various unstable conditions and familiarity with Child Protection Systems strengthening approaches, Sphere Project’s Humanitarian Charter and Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Pyramid are essential, as is an 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. LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS This position is based in Beirut, Lebanon, a pleasant and cosmopolitan city on the Mediterranean, with frequent travel throughout Lebanon. The security situation is uncertain in Lebanon, with a possibility for rapid deterioration, particularly dependent on the Syrian conflict.  Though currently secure in Beirut, all security guidelines and protocols must be closely followed at all times. 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 Mercy Corps' policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.