Field Coordinator - Skills Development - Beqaa (Applications will only be accepted if submitted online, through the link provided)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently works in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps is committed to generating positive opportunities for women, men, boys and girls from Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian communities, with a strong focus on engaging youth.  Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping build secure, productive and just communities. We do this through:

• Addressing the humanitarian and protection needs resulting from crisis situations for the most vulnerable communities
• Enabling local communities, civil society and government to better prevent and respond to conflict, address needs and deliver sustainable development solutions
• Promoting economic growth and catalysing economic opportunities for vulnerable, under-employed groups in Lebanon

Our programs focus on four sectors:  Economic Opportunities, Governance and Social Stability, Youth and Protection, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). The Mercy Corps Lebanon team consists of over 180 staff working across six offices throughout Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon, Tripoli and the Bekaa Valley

The “Fostering Resilience by Strengthening Abilities” FORSA II program is a 6.5 mio Euros integrated three-and-a-half-year (anticipated December 2019 - May 2023) program focusing on the nexus between education and employment. The program will target youth between the ages of 16-34 from Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian families, with a specific focus on women and girls in the target areas.  The overall objective is that women and youth are supported to access education and employment in targeted areas in the Bekaa and South.

The primary objectives of the program are that:

1. Youth from all targeted communities have improved market-driven skills as a result of better quality training systems;
2. Job placement systems provide equitable and sustainable access to jobs for targeted populations;
3. Male and female youth have improved pathways to self-employment.

General Position Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Field Coordinator will support in the implementation of project activities as stipulated in the workplan. S/he will ensure that activities in this component contribute to achieving key deliverables, including improved access to TVET education of women and youth. As requested by the Project Manager the successful candidate will attend sector-specific meetings with peer organizations, as well as supporting and building partnerships with CBO’s, Private Sector, and Government.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Field Coordinator will support in the implementation of project activities as stipulated in the workplan. S/he will ensure that activities in this component contribute to achieving key deliverables, including improved access to TVET education of women and youth. As requested by the Project Manager the successful candidate will attend sector-specific meetings with peer organizations, as well as supporting and building partnerships with CBO’s, Private Sector, and Government.

Project Implementation

• Support the Project Manager and programme team in planning and implementing project activities to meet project deliverables based on timeline and scope agreed with the donor;
• Provide day-to-day support and coordination, including administrative, financial and logistical support. Troubleshoot any administrative problems and report any challenges or bottlenecks to Project Manager;
• Participate in team planning and coordination meetings and trainings
• Support the Project Manager in conducting periodic risk assessments to update implementation plan accordingly;
• Support monitoring and evaluation efforts to document project outputs, outcomes, and impact to inform donor and other internal reporting;
• Assist in filing and record keeping of project activities;
• Assist in analysis of data collected to facilitate assessment results and lessons learnt;
• Monitor adherence to grant agreement, Mercy Corps policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations. Facilitate internal Mercy Corps procurement processes;
• Prepare weekly reports to be submitted to the Project Manager. Contribute to quarterly reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor and internal requirements.

Project Coordination for Skills Development

• Coordinate skills development activities to ensure high-quality, sector appropriate trainings that maximize trainees ability to find employment;
• Identify ways in which the skills development component can contribute to improving the quality of vocational training in Lebanon in a more sustainable manner
• Assist with field coordination to facilitate labour market assessments and mapping of businesses 
• Support strategies to meet the programme’s job placement targets through labour market-oriented solutions and assist with the implementation of work-based learning schemes; 
• Assist the project manager in conducting the assessment and selection of TVET institutes as per agreed criteria;
• Support the Project Manager in selecting and contracting training providers for vocational training and digital trainings including review and shortlisting proposals, conduct pre-agreement meetings with selected providers, contributing to the finalized service contracts;
• Organize and conduct kick-off meetings with the contracted service providers;
• Contribute in the outreach and interviews of potential trainees as necessary;
• Ensure the integration of adapted approaches to respond to barriers to women’s engagement in the workforce
• Follow up with the service providers on the ongoing training courses
• Assist the project manager in identifying new partnerships with the private sector for the provision of training and Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities;
• Ensure that all skills development-related interventions are in compliance with international norms and standards, national laws and policies, technical standards and organizational policies;
• In coordination with the M&E team, support rigorous monitoring and evaluation (M&E), accountability and learning systems for the skills building and TVET component.
• Collaborate regularly with the Monitoring and Evaluation team to ensure the quality of the required documentation and coordinate on any identified bottlenecks or challenges in any of the trainings;
• With the M&E team, ensure that all trainings, job placements and internship placements are decent and safe work opportunities for women and youth.

Representation

• Liaise with local officials including municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, local NGOs and INGOs, project partners, key community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure successful deliverables;
• Build relationships with local authorities to introduce the project and facilitate access to information related to project activities and scope. Arrange for meetings as requested;
• Develop and maintain working relationships and coordinate with relevant international and local agencies active in the livelihoods and economic development sector;
• Represent Mercy Corps at local coordination meetings, where relevant.

Other

• Ensure all activities are gender sensitive and follow Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity Policy;
• Apply Do No Harm standards to ensure activities do not have detrimental effects on vulnerable communities;
• 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 in Lebanon;
• Participate in internal office coordination, planning meetings, and workshops;
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

Training assistant

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Project Manager

Works Directly With: FORSA II Programme team, MC Support Departments (MEL, HR, finance, Operations), Skills component staff on other MC programs

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S or equivalent in social science, women’s studies, management, economics, international development, or other relevant field;
• At least three years of progressive experience and proven high level of competence in working in economic and market development, research and/or development-related programs, ideally in relief and/or post-conflict settings;
• Proven ability to liaise with a network of government officials, NGOs, and potential implementing partners;
• Problem solvers with the ability to analyze and prioritize to meet objectives;
• Deep knowledge of Lebanon, in particular its economic challenges;
• Strong leadership and team management skills;
• Great communication skills and sense of humor;
• 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.