Food Security Project Manager

Secours Islamique France (SIF) is a Non-Governmental Organization of international solidarity based in France. Founded in 1991, SIF is an apolitical neutral organization whose objective is to provide immediate and long-term support to vulnerable population affected by natural disasters, armed conflicts and other types of crisis. SIF has been present in Lebanon since 2012, implementing projects aiming at providing assistance to the Syrian refugee populations affected by the conflict in Lebanon as well as Vulnerable Lebanese host community. Through child protection projects, basic assistance and food security, SIF contributes to the improvement of the well-being of the children and their families. In response to the current crisis in Syria, SIF want to extend its humanitarian response with a new food security project, aiming at scaling-up its emergency support to Syrian refugees and affected population and support the Lebanese Farmers. In view of the operation scale up, SIF is currently recruiting a food security Project Manager to begin immediately. The PM will be based in Beirut [w1] the 50% of his time supporting SIF’s main office and 50% of the time in SIF sub office in Bakaata supporting the staff on the field. Furthermore, the PM will be in contact with other SIF members to harmonize and share tools as well as lessons learnt. The PM is part of the SIF-Lebanon team and will be under the line management of the Program coordinator. MISSION CONTEXT SIF conducted a study on “Resilient Livelihoods for Farmers of Rachaya, Zahle and Shouf Following the Syrian Refugee Crisis”. The survey was completed in January 2017 in the 3 districts. The results showed the vulnerability of this segment of population: 47% of the assessed farmers were living with less than 600 USD per month. The farmers are in deep need for technical and financial assistance but also for market’s output.       SIF project aims at strengthening the Lebanese farmers: -          Offering technical and financial assistance to farmers and rural women cooperatives in the aim to increase the added value of their products. -          Develop and support a marketing strategy for farmers and cooperatives -          Capacity empowerment for rural women cooperatives for a better quantitative and qualitative production. -          Link the production from the project stakeholders to the Ramadan project, SIF will buy all the needs for its Ramadan program (during the last 2 years with food voucher 1000HH were assisted). This could be a new market where the producer can guarantee the  marketing of products The project will be implemented closely with the protection program, mainly for the livelihood component (vocational training, employment opportunities, capacity building). A particular attention will be given to the cross cutting issue (gender, environment, referral) Strong coordination with other actors in the area of intervention is a pillar of this program and the referral mechanism will guarantee the provision of adequate services from others partners. Furthermore, as part of a longer term strategy aiming at supporting and reinforcing capacity of local stakeholders, the action includes a strong capacity building & strengthening component targeting farmers, local rural women cooperatives, and also with other governmental entities (MoA and MoPW). The Project Manager ensures the consistency and implementation of the project. He is managing the project team to achieve the expected results for the project. He/she is: -       Supervising all the operations related to the project -       Coordinating the implementation of the project within his team -       Only interlocutor of the HoM and program coordinator on the running of the project -       Contributing to the elaboration of the mission’s operational strategy. -       Holding the Program budget and its management    MAIN RESPONSABILITIES  Food security Project Management on field.   To participate in the elaboration of the project: needs assessments, baseline survey, and proposal of actions. To coordinate the implementation of the project: planning of activities, follow-up of the implementation, collect of sources of verifications. Suggest technical solution for dripping irrigation, solar panel system, water storage and other technical innovation to the farmers. Discuss the Quick impact project with farmers. Suggest technical solution for cooperatives for processing food, waste management etc Provide technical and financial support to agricultural farmers, Assist in the structuring / revitalization of cooperatives, Organize the distribution of food aid (voucher or parcel) if necessary, Assist in the development of a market-oriented agricultural production system, Elaborate monitoring and evaluation tools, supervise satisfaction surveys and results, measure the realization of the projects and propose adjustments to projects. Develop food security procedures, M&E tools and programs Monitor and review the implementation of the relevant policies and documentation and procedures to ensure they are adhered to, remain current and fit for purpose Undertake situation analyses and needs assessments Maintain confidentiality at all times Identify potential partnerships to implement the program, make recommendations on how to fill gaps Provide technical guidance and direction for effective planning, implementation and monitoring of agreed protection plans Develop monitoring and reporting mechanisms on a variety of levels e.g. formal data collection for advocacy, qualitative measures for program development, information for donor reports, etc. Make frequent field visits to affected areas to monitor implementation of activities, identify opportunities and constraints and any adjustments needed including additional staffing or staff training. Hold planning and progress review meetings with government counterparts and other relevant partners Liaise with other agencies, NGOs, government bodies and donors to ensure coordination, implementation of common standards in the field. Develop training program and assist in capacity building for staff and partners To define partnership modalities with the operational partners involved in the implementation of the project.   Operational strategy & Coordination   To contribute to the elaboration of the mission’s operational strategy: context analysis and its evolution, elaboration of problem trees and proposed solutions, needs assessment analysis, proposal of new actions, budgeting and HR dimensioning. To be part of the Coordination Team To participate in the analysis and proposal of solutions for all decisions impacting the mission in general.   Management -HR   To participate in the recruitment of human resources related to the Program: elaborate and correct tests, prepare and conduct interviews. To manage teams: briefing, planning, follow-up, management, performance interview, technical capacity buildings, etc. To evaluate regularly the performances of the team members, before the end of the trial period and the end of the contract. To define and update the team’s training plan and ensure the follow-up of this trainings impact. Ensure feed back towards your team about issues potentially raised by them and in the field; Ensure a good communication – coordination – information level of each member of your team through regular coordination meetings (or other if needed); You ensure conflict resolution (personal and professional) within your team and inform the Program coordinator; Ensure the needed capacity building of your team, with resources available internally   Admin and Finance (in cooperation with the Program Coordinator and Finance department)   To manage the budget of his field: regular monitoring of the expenditure states according to the allocated budget and programmatic forecasts, validation of the expenditures he is responsible for. To prepare the planning of expenditures, the cash-flow plan and the cash flow request for his field. To suggest the necessary budgetary adjustments to his program.  Logistic (in cooperation with the Logistic Officer)   To supervise the car management, plan the vehicle uses and the follow-up of the movements for the project. To supervise the good local contracts management (suppliers, etc.). To participate in the elaboration of the project procurement plan and according to the thresholds and procurement process. To supervise supply management properties and equipment use, with farmers and cooperatives Representation (when requested by line manager)   To represent SIF with operational partners and to the local and regional authorities. To attend conferences, coordination meetings, working group and donors meetings. To elaborate presentation projects tools (objectives, methodology, activities and results) for authorities, donors, partners etc. Reporting Reports directly to SIF’s Beirut Office, to the Program coordinator. S/he will submit the following reports at the end of each week: Centralize all information gathered in the field and consolidate a Monthly report (into the proper reporting format) to be delivered to the program coordinator; The Narrative Report which includes: the number of beneficiaries, actions taken, number of field-visits conducted, awareness raising activities, number of people attending the session with breakdown per age group and gender; should also include charts, trend analysis and solution Provide regular reporting on your activities and Weekly update – numbers of beneficiaries and households visited segregated by age, gender,  needs and vulnerability (i.e. living in very poor conditions and other to the Head of Mission and Program Coordinator upon his/her solicitation. Draft donors reports according to the requested deadlines and guidelines. To elaborate ad hoc reports: mission, follow-up, survey, training, etc. To inform immediately the line manager of any delay, conflict, problem encountered as part of the project implementation. To follow the evolution of the security context and regularly report to the Head of Mission. To propose, if necessary, security plans updating;   Person qualifications University degree in Agronomy Master Degree in Agricultural Engineering or diploma of Specialized Study in Veterinary Sciences; Minimum 5 years of previous experience in humanitarian work, Substantial experience with farmers and cooperative organizations, Extensive knowledge and experience of project planning and budget holding; proposal and report writing. Knowledge and understanding of project management tools (Logical Framework analysis, project cycle management, objectives and indicators etc.) Knowledge of issues relating to refugee women, gender, humanitarian and development issues, and protection response Strong leadership skills and a supportive management style (experience on operational team managing Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English (and desirably French and Arabic) Ability to understand the cultural and political environment and to work well with partners including local authorities. Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office, especially Word and Excel. An understanding of and commitment to SIF’s mission and values   Ethic and professional practice Always respect of beneficiaries’ confidentiality Respect and promote SIF’s Policies and report to your line manager any non-respect of SIF’s policies amongst the teams or partners. Address needs and requests in a professional way. Report any incident or act that causes any harm to beneficiary or to others. Always respect a refusal of assistance. Strong organizational and work planning skills, and the ability to work in a high volume work environment. Sets clearly defined objectives and plans activities for self, own team or department Work relationships Line manager: program coordinator Line manager+1 HOM In direct cooperation with: Data base, referral focal point, Protection PM   Job conditions      Remuneration: according to SIF salary grid      Starting date: 1 august 2017      Duration/ Type of contract: six months contract (renewable)      Social insurance: Covered by SIF