Senior Project Officer At Handicap International, Development Department

  OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION:   The Senior Project Officer will be responsible for ensuring the successful implementation of activities in Lebanon within the framework of the regional project: ‘Empowering persons with disabilities and injuries within the Syrian population affected by the crises’. The Senior Project Officer will be a member of the Handicap International Lebanon mission team led by the Lebanon Head of Mission, and will work in close coordination with the Regional Project Manager based in Amman, who will be responsible for overall project management. Besides that the senior project officer will work in close collaboration with the partners and the Emergency Department of HI to build linkages and coordinate for the actual implementation of the project in the field.   THE PROJECT:   The ‘Empowering persons with disabilities and injuries within the Syrian population affected by the crises’ project, is a regional initiative, with activities primarily based in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq. Activities within the project are both country-specific and regional in nature. The overall implementation period of the project is from November 2013 to November 2016. The project builds on the experiences of earlier initiatives carried out by Handicap International with its partners that aimed to strengthen the capacities of key leaders of the disability movement in the Middle East region. Though to build on such a movement within the Relief Response is a considered a pioneering approach for HI. The project and overall strategy is structured in five main results, organised in a sequence where the next result will strongly depend on and be shaped by the previous one: 1.       The situation, needs and opportunities regarding the development of Disabled People Organisations (DPOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and informal groups supporting persons with disabilities and injuries are identified through a comprehensive stakeholder analysis within the targeted populations.     2.       Individual leaders, DPOs, CSOs and informal groups within the Syrian population affected by the crisis develop their technical skills, organizational capacities and networks to represent and support persons with disabilities and injuries 3.       DPOs, CSOs and informal groups provide information on existing services to persons with disabilities and injuries, and actively engage with key stakeholders to promote a greater access to basic services for this target population.           4.       Pilot initiatives implemented by DPOs, CSOs and informal groups are gender-inclusive, respond to the needs and promote rights of persons with disabilities and injuries, and facilitate greater multi-stakeholders collaboration. 5.       The project is implemented through a clear and principled framework and is managed in a dynamic and evolving manner with the active cooperation of key stakeholders working at local, national and regional levels.           REPONSIBILITIES:   The Senior Project Officer will be responsible for: •         Leading the planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities in Lebanon within the framework of the regional project under supervision of the Regional Project Manager. •         Ensuring that activities in Lebanon are implemented according to work-plans developed with the HI regional team and other HI country teams and the steering committee •         Ensure that activities are led in direct synergy with other actions implemented by the HI emergency department and partners in Jordan and Iraq •         Communicate regularly with HI regional teams and the HI country teams to ensure efficient coordination of actions within the regional project framework   Specific responsibilities of the Senior Project Officer include: 1.       Activities management: ·         Plan and implement project activities in close collaboration with the local partner in Lebanon according to the partnership agreement, the budget dedicated and Handicap International standard procedure; co-ordinate between the project’s various stakeholders in line with the strategic direction of the overall project. ·         Key activities to be led in Lebanon include: Mapping of stakeholders of Syrian civil society groups in close collaboration with the partners; Building a database and social media to connect project partners and target groups; Training and mentoring of disability activists; Support to the development of DPOs/CSOs; support to the development of peer support groups; Guidance to DPOs-CSO’s to provide information/referral services to persons with disabilities and injuries;  Implementation of a micro-grant mechanism; Support to coordination and networking between DPOs with key stakeholders ·         Support the implementation of activities led at the regional level within the project framework. ·         Key regional activities include: Regional training programmes; Organization of regional workshops and visits; Identification of lessons learned from the project. ·         Implement the project monitoring system in Lebanon and ensure the continuous monitoring of activities ·         Manage the project’s financial, logistical and material resources for activities in Lebanon 2.       Participation to project coordination: ·         Contribute to an efficient coordination and sharing of information with regional and other country-based HI teams involved in the project and the HI emergency department. ·         Participate in strategic and operational meetings of HI teams at the regional level. ·         Work closely with other members of the Lebanon mission to ensure synergy and coordination between ongoing projects. 3.       Internal and external reporting: ·         Implement and monitor data collection tools and mechanisms for HI and partners on activity implementation. ·         Submit periodic internal project activity updates (activity and budget follow up). ·         Contribute to the preparation of formal activity reports for international funding agencies according to defined schedules and requirements.   JOB requirements:                                                                                                                                                                                                                         •         The position is based in Beirut, but will require travel within Lebanon and occasional travel to other countries in the Middle East •         Ability to work under pressure in an unstable and changing environment and interest to work on the Syrian Relief Response with frequent field visits. •         Flexibility, ability to take initiatives, find solutions and facilitate decision-making within the frame of the project’s governance. •         Ability to work in a team/ group leadership and to motivate and involve people. •         Ability to work in English and Arabic is essential.   PROFILE SOUGHT:   A senior project officer or project manager with proven experience in managing the implementation of activities within complex international cooperation projects.   Skills: •         Excellent management, organization and coordination skills. •         Ability to work independently without constant supervision. •         Excellent communication skills (internal within the team and external with various national and regional stakeholders). •         Excellent interpersonal skills, dynamic and motivated; ability to work within a cohesive team; oriented to solutions. •         Strong diplomacy and good negotiating skills. •         High level written and oral presentation skills in English and Arabic (essential). •         Flexibility and ability to respond to variable job demands of an international NGO.   Education and experience: Essential: •         Level of education: Degree in management or social sciences. •         Experience in management of project activities, with proven skills in planning, monitoring and evaluation. •         Experience in budgetary management. •         Experience preparing reports for donor agencies. •         Experience working with stakeholders from a variety of levels (e.g. community members to government representatives). •         Experience working with grassroots civil society organizations. Desired: •         Experience working for an international NGO. •         Experience in working on working within the Syrian Relief Response. •         Experience working on disability issues and with organizations representing persons with disabilities. •         Studies and/or experience in human rights, law or policy related to disability or similar. •         Knowledge of gender or human rights principles.