Programme Manager – Economics And Market Development

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: The Programme Manager is responsible for the overall assessment, planning, implementation, and monitoring of the Programme.  Working closely with local partners, S/he will lead a team in specific geographical areas (Zahle, West Bekaa, Chouf, Jezzine and Saida) to achieve key deliverables.  At the same time, the Program Manager will be responsible for donor coordination throughout the grant, attending sector-specific meetings with peer organizsations, as well as supporting and building partnerships with CBO’s, Private Sector, and Government. S/he works under the direction of the Director of Programs and closely with the Senior Technical Advisor for Markets, Economic Recovery and Growth   PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY: Mercy Corps anticipates funding for a three year program focused on skills training and employment growth to mitigate risks for instability and conflict in the target areas. The Programme aims to support Lebanese communities, Palestinian and Syrian refugees in Zahle, West Bekaa, Chouf, Jezzine and Saida to address their economic needs through employment, increased income for small businesses, and focused improvements to Public and Private TVET centers.   The programme will be focused on the Agriculture, Energy, Manufacturing, and Services (inc.  Tourism) Sectors   Within the first 4 months of the programme, the Mercy Corps programme team will undertake a series of in-depth studies including a Gender Assessment, Value Chain Study, Labor Market Assessment, and a Capacity Assessment of the specific TVET centers. These assessments will determine the specific activities and beneficiary targeting of the programme.    Therefore Mercy Corps is looking for an individual with strong analytical skills, experience leading a skilled technical team through an assessment phase, and proven abilities to manage an integrated multi-component economic development project with a variety of stakeholders.     ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Program Management Manage teams in Beirut and Zahle to develop work plans focused on key outputs and outcomes; Ensure field teams complete tasks as assigned in a timely, professional way; Collaborate and guide local partners and consultants on regular basis to inform planning and implementation of assessments and mapping reports, as well as to meet key deliverables; Lead the development of Gender Assessment, Labor market assessment, Agriculture Value Chain study, and TVET Organizational Capacity Assessment; Oversee the development of key training curriculum and business support packages, beneficiary outreach,  support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) focused on employability and market development, and create mechanisms to prepare partners and relevant staff to implement activities; Facilitate public-private linkages and devise key strategic mentoring and networking platforms for skills training and employment growth; Ensure all programming follows Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct by increasing team capacity to disseminate and apply; Identify and support mechanisms for effective project monitoring and evaluation efforts and systems for information sharing internally and externally; Write regular donor and organizational reports to highlight program successes and challenges; Collaborate with local stakeholders including municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA), SMEs to ensure successful program implementation; Overview program budget and complete financial planning to inform programming;    Coordination and Representation Liaise with international and national organizations within working group structures to coordinate programming and fill critical development gaps to strengthen wider livelihoods mechanisms; Coordinate with Donor and MOSA to provide updates on programming; Represent Mercy Corps’ work at Beirut and field-based levels, as needed, to foster greater connections and information sharing; Coordinate with other sectors, including protection, WASH  and capacity building to synchronize responses; Participate in workshops and tasks forces, as needed, to inform strategy development and improved service delivery; Contribute to development communication materials that highlight Mercy Corps’ programming; Participate in planning and implementation of the Mercy Corps Lebanon Livelihoods portfolio, communications, advocacy, and program development; Initiate and lead program development related to livelihoods programming, while contributing to other related to programming, as needed;   Other Fulfill Mercy Corps Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide; Ensure activities promote gender equity, conflict sensitivity, and environmental awareness by applying Do No Harm and Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity policy; Participate in internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops; Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian and development mission; Other assigned tasks, as necessary.   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: One deputy programme manager, Two field-based senior field coordinators field officers, M&E coordinator, and technical consultants   ACCOUNTABILITY REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Director of Programs WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Senior Technical Advisor - MERGE; members of Operations, Program Managers, TSU team members, and others.   KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: MA/S or equivalent in social science, management, economics, international development, or other relevant field; At least five years of progressive experience and proven high level of competence in working in economic and market development and/or development-related programs, ideally in relief and/or post-conflict settings; Proven ability to successfully design, implement, and manage economic development programming including grants and technical assistance for beneficiaries ; Proven experience carrying out technical assessments with a team in one or more of the following: Value Chains, Labor Market, Gender Assessments Experience with relief and socio-economic development work across a range of stakeholders including Private Sector, NGOs, and Local government; Deep knowledge of Lebanon, in particular its displacement context, protection threats, economic challenges, social stability and resilience mechanisms, relevant to internal conflict preferred; Proven track record in staff and stakeholder training and capacity building; Strong leadership and communication skills and sense of humor; Ability and interest to work with a multi-ethnic team in a culturally appropriate manner; and Proficiency in English essential   SUCCESS FACTORS: A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to promote new 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.  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.