Assistant Project Manager

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY: The Assistant Project Manager will provide support to the field-based Project Manager in all aspects of implementing Mercy Corps’ protection and monitoring project.  S/he will conduct and oversee community-based monitoring activities with a Beqaa-based team of three Team Leaders and nine Protection Monitors.  S/he will provide oversight to continuous data collection, monitoring and reporting of information both at the individual family and community level through focus group discussions, interviews for individual families and monitoring surveys.  S/he will also be responsible for the oversight of community engagement activities, networking with service providers, referral development, and responding to identified needs.    ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Oversee the work of Team Leaders and Protection Monitors to ensure protection monitoring work plans are developed and implemented efficiently. Oversee and guide administrative work for field-based teams: task sheet presentation, reporting, communication and transportation allowances. Guide and orient new staff on protection monitoring in Beqaa, and relevant issues, in addition assist in outreach and recruitment of qualified monitors and team leaders. Support and coach Team Leaders to effectively manage protection monitors; intervene and mediate when conflicts arise as needed. Oversee planning and implementation of activities to meet targets and deliverables, including community engagement activities, awareness building activities, workshops, and others. Collect regular detailed progress reports and bi-weekly reports with monitoring updates and trends seen in the field from monitors and submit in a timely manner. Facilitate development and implementation of Rapid Risk Response Mechanism to provide immediate response to high risk needs, in close coordination with UNHCR. Support Project Manager to effectively liaise with UNHCR on a regional level including: bi-weekly meetings, regular reporting/ information sharing and attendance at sub group and working meetings. Contribute to planning and implementation of activities in response to UNHCR’s requests. Establish relationships with local municipalities and leaders to facilitate protection monitoring access and understand local dynamics and context, while identifying key tensions and needs. Identify and understand work of local organizations and service providers and how their efforts can be best incorporated and linked into wider service provision for refugees and host community members to address protection issues and trends. Coordinate with international NGOs providing humanitarian services to facilitate linkages between identified refugee and host community needs. Contribute to revision and updating of UNHCR service directory to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date. Support communication strategies to enable greater linkages between vulnerable populations and service providers; working with Team Leaders to network within their designated area to promote action. Participate in training on knowledge, skills and application of interagency Protection standards as directed by management team. Contribute to strategic planning and program development to enable Mercy Corps to expand activities, including identification of livelihood and economic development activities to respond to income support needs. Ensure Mercy Corps’ policies and codes of conduct are in place, including adherence to Do No Harm and gender equality policies. Conduct herself/ himself 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.   KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE: Three to five years of experience working in a humanitarian NGOs and/or comparable private sector or organizational experience. Three or more years of management experience including planning and oversight of staff members. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural issues. Understanding of political, economic, and social dynamics in Beqaa. Positive, respectful attitude and collaborative approach to diversity. Demonstrate 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, social, economic, cultural and historical context of Lebanon and Syrian crisis.