Socio economic Program Manager

Dimensions of Role:

The post-holder will be based in Beirut with travel to various project sites. As a senior staff member and part of the program team, the coordinator will manage the economic empowerment portfolio and supervise a team of project managers. S/he will work closely with CARE International Lebanon’s leadership, technical and grants teams; and various National members, national and Governate departments; and local implementing partners. The PrM will have oversight of all other contributing staff and consultants on the various projects under the portfolio.   The PrM will also be responsible for ensuring donor guidelines and requirements are consistently met. The success of this position will be measured through ability to achieve the project’s results.

 

The PrM will uphold CARE’s Core Values, promote mission and vision, and program principals (transparency, gender equity and diversity) to enhance program impact, as well as ensure modelling of CARE’s values among all project staff.

 

Program Leadership and Financial Management

• Lead high quality, results-oriented program planning, implementation and reporting in compliance with donor, government and partnership agreements.
• Design and oversee an annual program cycle and budget for the projects in accordance with donor’s annual planning cycle and compliance requirements.
• Oversee staff and partner work plans, deliverables and compliance requirements.
• Create management systems and processes consistent with program needs.
• Coordinate efficient procurement of project supplies and services with finance, program and procurement colleagues.
• Ensure program strategies in economic empowerment, adhere to best practices in the sector, integrating gender equality, youth, inclusion and environmental sustainability as cross-cutting themes.
• Ensure that local laws and operational policies and protocols, including for security, are observed and respected.
• Serve as primary liaison with each National member on administrative, programmatic, financial and technical matters.

 

Expected Results:

• Effective execution of the projects in accordance with donor agreements, annual work plans and budgets.
• Monitor expenditure on a monthly basis to ensure spending is on track, and ensure forecasts are updated based on activities and in compliance with donor regulations.
• Ensure donor compliance requirements are met and the project is consistently ready for audit.
• Prepare programmatic and financial reports for donor, government and the country office as required. This will involve compiling of information from a range of program and financial staff, and working in teams to produce reports.
• Procurement of supplies and services is completed in an efficient manner and in accordance with the CARE’s Operations Manual.
• Ensure effective and efficient use of all program resources.

 

Strategic Direction and Program Quality

• Finalize the various projects quality strategy and develop a clear plan for execution. Internalize the outcomes in the Performance Measurement Framework (PMF), understanding the current position of the outcome and the target to be achieved.
• Lead regular planning and reflection sessions with the relevant project teams, local and international partners and government officials. As PrM you will have the oversight and decision-making responsibility on program quality. 
• Work with program staff and technical advisors to identify the technical support needs of the projects and ensure this support is provided.
• Identify barriers, risks and opportunities to higher achievement of gender quality, inclusivity and reach.
• Develop, review and edit training manuals and activity guidelines to ensure achievement of projects objectives and emphasis of key messages.
• Continuous monitoring of training and activity sessions (including in-person visits and reviewing activity reports) to ensure plans translate into practice; and provide constructive feedback to improve future activities.
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of M&E tools and frameworks.

 

Expected Results:

• Finalized project strategies on quality and linkage across results, complete with an operational plan (priorities, processes, timelines and responsibilities).
• Monthly work plans are adjusted based on outcomes of planning and reflection meetings, site visits, and review of activity reports to identify successful approaches and quality gaps.
• Prioritized list of activities to focus on gender equality, and inclusion, along with clear actions to support each activity.
• Completed manuals and facilitation guidelines to support training programs and activities.
• Oversee effective M&E processes for measuring the effects / impacts of the project, and that project data is disseminated to relevant stakeholders.

 

Synergy, Communication and Coordination

• Foster and maintain effective and professional relationships with and between all project staff, partners and stakeholders.

• Lead donor communication and relationship management in Nairobi.
• Organize and facilitate relevant committees and meetings between key stakeholders and regular coordination meetings in accordance with the governance structure of the project.
• Lead knowledge development and sharing.
• Leverage opportunities and synergies with other projects both internal and external (other partners and stakeholders

 

Expected Results:

• Ensure that agreed roles, responsibilities and deliverables between project staff, partners and stakeholders are fulfilled.
• Foster strong coordination and collaboration among partners through regular coordination meetings/project reviews, joint field visits, action planning and ensuring partners have copies of quarterly work plans.
• Ensure productive relationships, synergy and good communications with and between all stakeholders.
• Document and share best practices and lessons learned, and monitor the integration of these into programming.

 

Human Resources Management

• Lead and manage a team of project managers, to ensure high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity, and teamwork.
• Participate in staff and consultant recruitment, in collaboration with Human Resources and program stakeholders.

 

Expected Results:

• Directly supervise, build capacity and mentor 8 staff.
• Conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in line with CARE International performance management system.
• Ensure the internal planning of the team in accordance with the work plan of the Program Department and other partners involved in the program.
• Clarify roles, delegate responsibilities to senior staff, and clearly communicate expectations for staff contribution to program activities.
• Ensure that staff welfare issues are communicated through appropriate human resource and management structures as well as back to/with staff.
• Handle grievances and participate in disciplinary hearings as relevant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knowledge, Skills, Behaviours, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

 

Educational Qualification & Experience

• Master’s degree in an interdisciplinary area such as International Development, Strategic Planning, Program Management, etc. or equivalent knowledge gained through experience.
• Proven experience in Livelihood Development programming with nongovernment organizations working for most vulnerable communities and also with private sector knowledge
• At least 8 years of demonstrable experience in managing government and bilateral donor funded grants.
• Progressive experience working for INGOs in increasingly senior positions ideally in Lebanon.
• Previous management of projects with budgets of $5 million or higher, and with multiple partners (including government and civil society).
• Experience managing complex and multi-thematic programs, specifically in areas of livelihoods and humanitarian interventions.
• Track record of achieving programmatic results and impact.
• Strong understanding of gender responsive programming.
• Knowledge of development challenges and context in Lebanon and complexity of the Syrian crisis
• Remote management of project staff
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively without the need for close supervision.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in person and with remote teams.
• Familiarity with major donor guidelines.
• Fluent in both English and Arabic.
• Proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet).

 

Competencies

Believe in the potential of all people to succeed if given the right support and willingness to multi-task.  Ability to perform under stress, innovative, build relationships, coach and mentor, facilitate change, develop teams, initiate action, strategic decision making, planning and organizing.  

 

Leadership Attitudes and Behaviours

• Proven leadership, inter-personal and cross-cultural skills, and ability to build and motivate multi-disciplinary teams.
• Possesses a demonstrated ability to establish strong working relationships with senior representatives of international donors, national and local governments and local partners.
• Ability to take responsibility, make decisions and monitor implementation in a timely manner.
• Ability to effectively lead multi-stakeholder meetings and processes.
• Demonstrable skills in strategic planning, financial and human resources management, supervision, and budgeting.
• Demonstrated ability to implement programs with rigorous timelines and deliverables and to track program quality through donor approved monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Ability to compile and finalize reports, analysis and briefing notes for senior management and stakeholders.
• Strong negotiating, facilitation & influencing skills while maintaining political neutrality.
• Demonstrated creativity and willingness to innovate.
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to working transparently and with integrity