Project Manager - P4

Introduction

Lebanon has been suffering from a severe financial and economic crisis with long-lasting effects on its economy and its people. With the drastic devaluation of the currency, prices of imported items have risen sharply, and households are now increasingly struggling to cover food needs. The combined effects of the crises have resulted in unprecedented levels of unemployment and pushed both the Lebanese population and the approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees further into poverty. The Lebanese agriculture sector remains one of few sectors where both Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese host communities can legally find employment but has been particularly hard-hit by the ongoing crises.

The Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) is therefore funding a project aimed at ‘Promoting Decent Jobs for Lebanese host communities and Syrian refugees’ that will be implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The project will focus on the agriculture and agri-food sector as a key sector for the livelihoods of both Lebanese and Syrian vulnerable population groups and in particular women of both communities and aim to develop specific agricultural and agri-food value chains with potential for decent job creation that will benefit both groups.

The project will make use of the ILO’s Approach to Inclusive Market Systems (AIMS) to safeguard jobs and livelihoods of vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian communities threatened by the crises and encourage decent job creation for both groups in sectors with potential. To that end, the project will use the market systems development approach to address key sectoral constraints to decent job creation sustainably, in combination with more direct interventions to strengthen capacities of vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian communities and safeguard decent work conditions.

The Project Manager will have the overall responsibility for planning and implementation of the Sida-funded project. Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO, the incumbent will be responsible for the overall leadership and management of all aspects of the project, including its operational, financial, administrative and human resource management.

Reporting Lines

The Project Manager will report to the Director of the Decent Work Team (DWT) for the Arab States based at ILO’s Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS) in Beirut. The incumbent will receive technical guidance and backstopping support from the DWT Beirut Enterprise Specialist as well as the AIMS team at SME/ENTERPRISES at ILO Headquarters. The position will be based in the ILO Regional Office for Arab States in Beirut, Lebanon.

Description of Duties

Project Management:

1. Ensure effective coordination and planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project, in conformity with ILO and Sida policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and the country’s Decent Work Programme, and administrative and financial procedures.

2. During the inception phase, oversee the delivery of a market systems analysis, a conflict analysis and local participation, and a gender equality analysis; strengthen the dialogue with project partners; design a detailed strategy for the implementation phase including the development of the final theory of change; and actively participate in pending recruitment of staff and consultants.

3. Effectively manage funds/budget and human resources of the project including recruitment, performance review, and staff capacity development; fulfil reporting requirements; ensure adherence to established policies and procedures in the implementation of activities; coordinate and advise on the preparation of project documents, including design, monitoring and evaluation for all activities.

Technical leadership and advice:

4. Identify, guide and support the development, implementation, and assessment of overall project activities, including pilot interventions to address the identified key sectoral constraints and the scaling up of those interventions that are successful. This will require developing strong partnerships with the private and public sectors.

5. Provide technical advice to project stakeholders in the various technical areas related to the project, particularly in the field of sustainable enterprise development and market systems development with an agriculture sector focus. Mobilise expertise as needed.

6. Support development of the project staff’s capacity to apply a systemic approach to decent work and labour rights and to contribute to MRM, through training and continuous coaching.

7. Provide leadership in and oversee the mainstreaming of gender and environmental issues in the project, ensuring gender perspectives and environmental considerations are central to all the activities during both the inception and implementation phases.

Knowledge management and networking:

8. Develop and maintain relationships and coordinate with donors and other projects with similar mandates and objectives, with a view to promote ILO values and the objectives and approach of the project, and identify opportunities for scaling-up project achievements.

9. Identify training needs and organize training workshops and meetings for key actors and value chain stakeholders, value chain facilitators and policy partners of the project. Represent the Office at project meetings, seminars and evaluations and build and enhance strategic partnerships and networks.

10. Support the development and implementation of an effective communication, outreach, and knowledge sharing strategy and plan for relevant national and international audiences.

11. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Director of the DWT/Beirut.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master‘s or equivalent) in business administration, economics, environmental or development studies or any other relevant field.                                                      

Or a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Training on and/or experience with systemic approaches or market systems development will be considered an advantage.

Experience

At least seven years’ experience in the formulation, management, or implementation of technical cooperation activities, of which at least 5 years at the international level. This includes field experience with implementation of projects, preferably in the fields of private sector development, market systems development and decent work.

Proven project implementation experience, with sound knowledge and experience in all aspects of project cycle, i.e. design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Considerable experience in market systems development projects.

Experience in managing multi-stakeholder activities with the public and private sector.

Familiarity with ILO policies and procedures particularly of technical cooperation projects would be an advantage.

Languages

Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage.

Competencies

In addition to ILO core personal or behavioral competencies (Integrity and transparency, Sensitivityto diversity, Orientation to learning & knowledge sharing, Communication, Client orientation,Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation and Collaboration)

Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standard.

Excellent analytical skills, and ability to conceptualise, plan, coordinate and conduct activities consistent with the project's objectives.

Excellent leadership and collaboration skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills.

Ability to promote knowledge sharing and learning culture in the project, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners.

Ability to adapt/change project activities as needed in order to best reach the project's overall objective most effectively.

Openness to and ability to make changes to accommodate culture and gender differences in order to interact effectively with individuals.

Ability to plan and support the development of individual's skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of current or future job/role responsibilities.

Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.

Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation problems and opportunities for improvement.