Project Manager – Gender Based Violence

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. The conflict that began more than four years ago in Syria has resulted in a steady increase in Syrian refugees to Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey. To date, more than one million refugees have fled their country and the numbers continue to mount. As numbers rapidly increase, humanitarian conditions are deteriorating.  The burden on host communities and the financial and emotional stress on refugees and their hosts are tremendous. Mercy Corps is responding to these needs by addressing urgent basic needs, protection as well as the psychosocial impact of the conflict and displacement.  A growing programmatic focus is on mitigating the emerging tensions between hosts and refugees, particularly over economic resources, by addressing both livelihood opportunities and conflict mitigation capacity. GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY Alongside with the WASH Project Manager, the GBV Project Manager – will oversee the overall implementation of the WASH and Protection Support to Refugees and Host Communities in Lebanon (WASHPro) program in partnership with national organizations. S/he will manage project staff and affiliates, ensure effective coordination and networking with international, national and local partners, and oversee financial and project reporting. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Program Management Responsive for the overall planning and implementation of this project, ensuring the management of field-based teams and interact with implementing partners (IPs) to ensure activities and deliverables are achieved Fulfill Mercy Corps Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide. Oversee program start-up, management and administration. Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities and partners and consistent with Mercy Corp’s relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan Supervise the work of South Lebanon and Bekaa valley GBV Prevention and Response teams and Community Mobilization teams to implement work plans focused on key outcomes and outputs Work closely with selected implementing partners for the identification and mobilization of key actors, involved in the building of community-based networks Lead strategy development to inform Mercy Corps’ GBV programming to strengthen ongoing programming and build greater sustainable mechanisms Coordinate technical components between GBV and other protection programming to create synergies between Mercy Corps’ work Ensure all programming follows Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct and Child Safeguarding Protocols by increasing team capacity to disseminate and apply Create communication and advocacy materials that highlight Mercy Corps’ evidence-based approaches and successes; Represent Mercy Corps’ GBV efforts at national and local level coordination meetings Liaise with the GBV Task at national and sub-nationals on a regular basis to provide program updates and coordinated responses; Develop concept notes and proposals to expand the GBV portfolio Program implementation Build Mercy Corps teams and local partner capacity on cross-cutting GBV across sectorial interventions Strengthen referral mechanisms within ongoing programming to provide improved service delivery, including drawing linkages to Mercy Corps’ Protection Monitoring, No Lost Generation (Busma) and Child and Youth Protection programming Coordinate technical components between GBV and other protection programming to create synergies between Mercy Corps’ work Communicate with Mercy Corps’ Technical Support Unit experts to ensure best practices and technical knowledge are applied Design and develop Educational modules and training tools on Sexual Reproduction and Health Rights (SRHR), which will be used in the awareness sessions and trainings with school-aged children and caregivers as well school and community centers’ key staff members Ensure roll-out plan, in coordination with WASH teams and in close collaboration with IPs, to build partnerships with municipalities, schools authorities and community based organizations, to introduce the Educational modules and tools on SRHR in schools and community centers Establish structure to best ensure wide and active Community Mobilization activities in South Lebanon and Bekaa in order to sensitize, engage and mobilize boys and men to become champions in advocacy for SRHR and GBV, and risk mitigation through sets of community initiatives at Caza (district) level Supervise the work of the M&E Officer - GBV ensuring the timely development and conduction of KAP surveys, as well as field based data collection and analyses. She/he will be responsible for sharing of results/findings Develop systems that promote strong communication and coordination for activity implementation between the GBV and WASH teams members and aimed at leveraging synergies for collaboration Oversee local partner implementation to ensure programming is on track and meeting quality standards 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: Program teams 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. Minimum 5 years of progressive experience and proven high level of competence in working in GBV-related programs. Understanding of linkages between GBV programming and protection/child protection and WASH with ability to advise and implement strategies that promote coordination between and across sectors. Ability to lead team to successfully implement, manage and monitor GBV programming. Specialized background in gender, GBV, SRHR and other vulnerable groups preferred including experience with strengthening referral pathways. Strong leadership and communication skills. Ability to exercise sound judgment, to remain flexible to a changing environment, and to make decisions independently Ability to work well with a cross-cultural team Ability and interest to work with a multi-ethnic team in a culturally appropriate manner. Proficiency in English written and verbal is essential 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 of the Sphere Project’s Humanitarian Charter and latest evidence on what works in GBV programming 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.