Project Manager – Protection and Basic Assistance

Job Purpose:

Responsibility for management of the ECHO funded protection and basic assistance project budget and implementation, throughout the project cycle, under the supervision of the Area Coordinator, and liaison with Technical Advisors for high quality implementation of the Protection and Cash interventions.  

Main duties &  Responsibilities:

Project Planning and Management:

Provide oversight and leadership for the implementation of the project, including weekly and monthly work plans

Ensure that all required resources are in place (technical, financial, HR) for smooth implementation of the project as per agreement with ECHO

Ensure a needs based approach to beneficiary targeting, with clear inclusion criteria, with engagement and involvement of communities as appropriate

Ensure the community member, community leaders, other NGOs in the operational area and other stakeholders are engaged and duplication avoided

Take a leadership role in reviewing and updating project planning and action plans as necessary throughout the project lifecycle.

Project Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning and Reporting:

Liaise with the Program Quality Coordinator on the project reporting schedule, ensuring timely and accurate financial and narrative reporting, for timely submission in the correct formats, as per donor agreements.

As grant owner, work with the Program Quality Coordinator to ensure up to date grant record including monthly reporting and uploading of project agreement, documents and relevant official correspondence with ECHO.

Lead the development of beneficiary registration database and work with the MEAL Manager and the project team to conduct the beneficiary selection process, according to agreed criteria clearly communicated to communities

Work with the Technical Advisors and Area Coordinator to develop activity reporting tools, and coordinate with MEAL Manager for digitization of tools as appropriate, for use in the field, ensuring data protection

Work with the MEAL Manager to organize the execute project inception meeting with the target community, community leaders, and other stakeholders, to manage expectations and agree roles and responsibilities

Support the MEAL Manager to organize and operationalize a complaints response mechanism appropriate to the target communities and beneficiaries, with regular focus group discussions for accountability to affected populations

Lead the identification, documentation and dissemination of project learning, including using the project assessments and post distribution monitoring reports from the MEAL team, and take initiative on adaptation of interventions

Lead the tracking of project performance against indicators as per the log-frame, in collaboration with the Area Coordinator and MEAL Manager, and ensure that ECHO is updated as appropriate

Verify that all activities within the project have approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place, and ensure strict adherence to these SOPs throughout the project implementation.

Oversee the systematic filing and archiving of all project documents, ensuring proper organization and easy retrieval for future reference and accountability.

 Procurement and Budget Management:

Approve all expenditures against the project budget, as per the delegation of authority, and ensure that expenditures above your authorized approval threshold are also tracked by you

Review the monthly management accounts for the project and monitor budget expenditure to avoid and under or overspends, and ensure that expenditure matches and reflects the project milestones

Work closely with the logistics and finance team to ensure timely procurement and delivery or project materials and supplies, for timely implementation, including managing rent of safe spaces for GBV case management

Work closely with the Area Coordinator and Logistics and Finance teams to ensure the smooth execution of cash transfers to beneficiaries by the selected financial institution(s)/service providers, and beneficiaries treated with respect

Ensure the provision of monthly cash forecasts to the Finance department, addressing the financial needs of the project.

Guarantee the effective weekly fleet planning by adhering to Concern's guidelines, ensuring compliance with the established protocols and procedures.

Human Resources Management:

Lead on and ensure that performance development reviews (PDRs) are completed for the project team, and action plans followed up with HR team

Identify training and capacity building or coaching needs for the project team, develop a plan and lead or coordinate provision of the required support

Manage the team absences/leave from work, with updated and coordinated leave plans, and ensure that the team reports to work timely and performs their tasks to the required quality and according to Concern policies and procedures

Provide technical support and on-going on-the-job training and coaching to staff, including in particular a thorough induction at the start of their contract.

Ensure that all supervised staff are aware of and comply with Concern’s policies and procedures.

Take part with the HR department in the recruitment processes of the project team.

Support the HR department in ensuring proper & healthy working relationships in the team. 

Coordination and Representation:

Represent Concern at Protection and Basic Assistance sector meetings and disseminate key points and action points, and respond to sector requests

Take initiative and liaise with Technical to ensure that you stay up to date on developments and trends in the Protection and Basic Assistance sectors

Facilitate regular meetings and information sessions with community stakeholders, establishing open and effective communication channels to foster meaningful engagement and collaboration.

Other:

Participate in Concern exercises such as review of the Preparing for Effective Emergency Response (PEER) plan, Security Management Plan (SMP), etc. 

Take active measures to address equality issues, particularly relating to gender, in programme as well as operational activities.

Ensure the highest stands of accountability through ensuring good communication and information sharing within and outside the organisation.

Be aware of, understand and comply with all of Concern’s policies and procedures (P4, finance, logistics, HR, security management etc)

Undertake other related duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Country Director, the Programme Director or the Area Coordinator.

Respect confidentiality and follow ethical guidelines

Essential Education Requirements: 

Degree in Business management, Psychology, or a related discipline.

Essential Experience Requirements: 

At least three years of relevant NGO experience in managerial positions in Protection, Cash assistance, or both. It’s desirable if the candidate has both Cash & Protection experience.

Protection & / Cash Project Management Experience

Experience of budget management and report writing in English

Experience in leading and working through a team

Experience of implementing or mainstreaming gender equality in projects

Good organisational and planning skills/experience

Excellent communication and negotiation skills

Experience of Microsoft office use, especially Microsoft Word and Excel

Experience of work in high pressured, results focused dynamic environments

Fluent English & Arabic (written and spoken)

Desirable: 

Specific experience with ECHO is a big advantage

Experience with basic assistance multi-purpose cash assistance is an advantage

Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:

Attention to detail, and ability to take initiative

Cultural and political sensitivity

Good communication and interpersonal skills

Willing to travel frequently across project locations

Direct Reports:

Senior Project Officer (supervising basic assistance & cash activities implemented by Project Assistants)

Senior Protection Officer (supervising PSS & related activities implemented by Project Officers & Assistants )

CP & GBV Case Management Supervisors (supervising CP & GBV Case Workers)

Job Location: Akkar & T5