Social Stability Coordinator – Governance And Social Stability Program

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 1980’s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Egypt.   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 has focused on bolstering civil society and give voices to under-represented groups through the empowerment of young leaders. 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 Social Stability, and Livelihoods.    The conflict that began more than three 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 to Lebanon, and the numbers continue to mount. Most refugees who have entered Lebanon are staying with host families or in rented accommodation. 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, child protection as well as the psychosocial impact of the conflict and displacement. In this perspective, the overall objective of the Governance and Social Stability Programme is to empower vulnerable communities and municipalities to address social stability.     GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY Working under the direction of the Program Manager, the Social Stability Coordinator is expected to support in setting the social stability strategy within projects and proposals. He/she is expected to mainstream social stability, inter-communal aspects, and conflict sensitivity across activities and interventions.     ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Social Stability Coordinator will undertake functions as mentioned below:   Project Development Develop and implement a comprehensive and flexible work plan ensuring social stability, inter-communal aspects, and conflict sensitivity are mainstreamed across activities and interventions with municipalities, governmental organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), Community Based Organizations (CBO), and program teams; Support Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team to set frameworks and criteria for technical monitoring of all social stability projects; Support assessments and program design for new opportunities that build off existing Mercy Corps programs; Coordinate, support, or develop high quality proposals submitted in a timely manner; Conduct regular field visits to support field team and to coach local partners to carry out effective activities; Support program team in understanding best practices and foundational tools for designing and implementing quality conflict mitigation, inter-communal, social cohesion and stability programming, and incorporating them throughout projects; Facilitate strategic planning to address social instability by local stakeholders; Develop strategies for conflict mitigation, inter-communal, social cohesion, and stability programs and contribute to regional strategy development; Support the Program Manager in designing, managing, and implementing research initiatives into root causes and effects of conflict; Ensure that all activities/projects incorporate gender equity, conflict sensitivity, and environmental awareness emphasizing the Do No Harm Approach. Perform other duties as requested by the Program Manager.   Training and mentoring Harmonize and standardize training and social stability messaging across the Governance and Social Stability program team; Train and mentor local government, civil society leaders, CBOs, and NGOs in negotiating and building social stability; Support the Program Manager on providing technical training and guidance to program team, including negotiation, conflict analysis, conflict sensitivity, community mobilization and multi-stakeholder dialogue.   Coordination and Networking Support program team in taking part of the different Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP) working group meetings and other regional meetings as part of the Syrian Response Plan; Maintain good working relationships with donors, partner agencies, and other key stakeholders; Represent the program as required by the Program Manager.     Information Management and Analysis Produce monthly reports on the progression of the inter-communal relationship, and the social stability activities; Produce regular briefs and progress reports on the main meetings and achievements; Work closely with the M&E coordinator to analyze the learning reviews, understand social stability trends, and develop strategies accordingly; Develop a comprehensive database on progress, needs, and resources of local authorities, CBOs, and other partners with regards to social stability;   Accountability 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.   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 REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Manager   WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Project Managers, Program Coordinator, Capacity Building Coordinator, M&E Coordinator, field teams, and partners.   KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE BA/S or equivalent in conflict management and peace building, international development, conflict mitigation, social sciences, international relations or other relevant field; Experience in peacebuilding, conflict mitigation and prevention; At least 3-4 years of relevant experience; Advanced computer and data management skills; Excellent facilitation skills and experience training and mentoring government and civil society leaders; Team player who takes initiative, is a problem-solver, and able to multi-task; Strong communication, coordination, and networking skills; experience developing and managing relationships with diverse stakeholders; Very strong written and oral communication skills in both English and Arabic (Arabic is strongly required); Demonstrated proposal development, writing and editing skills; Strong management skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues and ability  to work with refugee and host community populations; Experience working with local communities; Strong understanding of refugee issues in the current Lebanon context; Mature, responsible, and diplomatic in their interactions with others; Ability to work independently with limited supervision, as well as part of a team; 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; Significant knowledge and understanding of the current political, economic, cultural and historical context of Lebanon preferred; Ability and willingness to travel regularly to the field.     SUCCESS FACTORS Ability to work under pressure, independently, and with limited supervision; Diplomatic, creative, flexible, energetic, hard-working, and eager to learn; Strong commitment to the communities and to teamwork ,as well as accountability; Deep commitment and interest in development and humanitarian principles and values; Able to carry out assigned tasks in a timely manner and according to a very high standard of quality; Willingness to learn new skills and methodologies; Demonstrated organizational skills; Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills; Aware of security, political, and cultural issues; Ability to multi-task while meeting several pressing deadlines; Meticulous, thorough, and results-oriented.