Program Officer – Governance And Conflict Resolution (G-Cr)

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 1980s 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 Conflict Resolution, 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 is 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 Conflict Resolution Program is to empower vulnerable communities and municipalities to de-escalate conflict and mitigate tensions caused by the Syrian crisis.     GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: The Program Officer will provide support to the Program Manager in many aspects of implementing the program to ensure that it meets its key deliverables on-time and within budget. He/she will closely work with local partner organizations to ensure accountability to Mercy Corps’ policies and donor rules and regulations, as well as other actors. He/she will support in many of the administrative, financial, and operational logistics of the program, as well as the drafting of reports, outreach material, standard operating procedures, among other programmatic documentation.   The Program Officer will provide support to the field teams by following up on tasks, assignments, ensuring that quality and targets are met. Moreover, he/she will handle administrative tasks, as well as support with meetings, trainings, work-plans, procurement and cash projection plans, filing and documentation, as well as other tasks as to ensure accountability to Mercy Corps’ policies and donor rules and regulations.     ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:Do This Support the Program Manager in all operations related to the projects implementation and reporting; Prepare weekly updates and monthly progress reports, including challenges and recommendations to meet donor and internal requirements; Handle financial, administrative, procurement, and logistical tasks such as issuing Payment Requests, Procurement Plans, Budgeting, and working with the field teams to compile an updated monthly procurement and cash projection plan; Provide guidance to field team members as needed on finances and operations; Provide day-to-day support and coordination with local partners and service contractors, including administrative, financial and logistical support. Trouble shoot any administrative problems and report any challenges to Program Manager; Coordinate with partner CBOs and field teams on ensuring the Mercy Corps minimum standards; Conduct filing and ensure all documentation is recorded, saved, and filed based on MC minimum standards; Draft contracts and Terms of Reference, and ensure they are updated and on-file; Prepare, plan, and participate in activities, meetings, workshops, and events – and prepare minutes accordingly; 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; Other duties as assigned by the Program Manager.   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, Field, Operations, and Finance teams. KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:  BA/S or equivalent in conflict resolution studies, development studies, social work, social sciences, human rights, or other relevant field required, MA preferred; At least 3-4 years of experience performing required tasks in grants management and budgeting; Very strong written and oral communication skills in both English and Arabic (Arabic is strongly required), including report development, writing and editing; Demonstrated skills in data collection and database management, organized, and able to handle many responsibilities simultaneously; Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Excel and Word; 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; Understanding of community dynamics preferred, but not required; 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, and energetic, hard-working, and eager to learn; Strong commitment to the communities, and to teamwork and 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; Security, political and cultural aware; Ability to multi-task while meeting several pressing deadlines; Pays attention to detail and is meticulous, thorough, and results-oriented.