Livelihood Project Manager (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the URL link provided below)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long-term impact.

The Program / Department / Team

FORSA II (Fostering Resilience by Strengthening Abilities II) program is a 1.3 million euro one-and-a-half-year (Jun 2023 - Dec 2024) program focusing on strengthening employment pathways within the digital economy. The program aims to facilitate access to employment through a holistic and integrated approach that builds the skills of young people aiming to increase their work readiness, while strengthening the capacities of the private sector to absorb and retain the skilled workforce. Hence, the program targets youth between the ages of 16-34 from Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian communities; as well as key market actors such as coworking spaces, digital and agro-food businesses and TVET institutes - in targeted areas of Beirut-Mount Lebanon, Tripoli and Bekaa. 

The primary objectives of the program are that:

1. The digital community is more market-responsive and conducive to income-generating pathways for young women and men;
2. Local enterprises and institutions can start, sustain or grow their business operations.

The Position  

The Livelihoods Project Manager for FORSA II program will lead the planning and day-to-day implementation of all program activities, including procurement, finance and MEL and ensure that program activities are being implemented on deadline and target. S/he will ensure the coherence and quality of the program interventions, seeking out innovations and adaptations to ensure that they lead to the desired impact in the rapidly changing political, economic and political context of Lebanon.

Essential Responsibilities   

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Ensure that the program targets are well understood and achieved according to the implementation work-plan, and adapt the work-plan when required;
• Work with and support team members in the design, adaptation and implementation of program components to achieve measurable impact within an uncertain country context;
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities’ needs and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan;
• Ensure that program participants are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability and selection criteria;
• Responsible for the quality of periodical reports/updates and grants tracking systems by ensuring that subgrant and grant records are kept up to date while ensuring coordination with the Director of Programs;
• Integrate inclusive community approaches and gender sensitivity into all activities as appropriate; and ensure proper implementation of referral mechanisms in Mercy Corps;
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, and collaborate with the PAQ Manager to monitor desired impacts;
• Fulfil Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organisation-wide guidelines;
• Contribute to and review all internal and external reports to ensure coherence, accuracy, high professional standards, and timeliness.
• Develop communication material for internal and external audiences;
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, Safeguarding, and beneficiary accountability standards;

PARTNER COORDINATION

• Ensure that partners are implementing activities as per their work plan, on time and within budget, with the quality required;
• Review partners financial and narrative reports before submission to the Director of Programs;
• Ensure a smooth coordination between the different program outcomes and the partners’ activities;
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures;
• Contribute to fostering a positive collaborative and mutually beneficial working relationship between Mercy Corps staff and partners.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one-on-ones and performance reviews;
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence as individuals and as a team and where alternative viewpoints are welcomed and recognized;
• Work to develop the capacity of the FORSA II team to deepen their understanding of their roles and assist with career development.

FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations;
• Keep track of expenditures in coordination with the Program and Support Senior Officer;
• Ensure financial monitoring of the partner expenditures in coordination with the Finance Department and represent the program during monthly BvA meetings.

REPRESENTATION

• Maintain productive relationships with internal and external constituents such as private partners, national government, foundations, the United Nations, International NGOs, Think Tanks, Research Institutes, and Foreign Governments;
• As required by the supervisor, represent Mercy Corps at donor meetings, and government and sectoral coordination forums/meetings;
• Adhere to Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct policy, understanding that all team members represent the organisation both inside and outside the office and should act in ways that bring credit to the individual, the team, the program and the organisation.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

• Lead and contribute to related project design, including concept notes and proposal writing to secure future funding, in coordination with senior management.

• Contribute to agency’s understanding of best practices in livelihoods programming, and as appropriate, develop research and evaluations to increase our understanding of successful implementation strategies; distil learnings and evidence generated into program guidance and thought leadership for internal and external consumption;

SECURITY

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership;
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of and adhere to policies.

ORGANISATIONAL LEARNING

• As part of our commitment to organisational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organisations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to program participants and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging participating communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects;
• 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

Direct supervision of the partner and the whole team (approximately 8 people), including four direct reports.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Director of Programs

Works Directly With: FORSA team, PAQ team, Finance and Procurement teams

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• University Degree or Higher in field relating to humanitarian and development work or Degree relevant to one or more of the following technical sectors (Economics, Business, Sociology, Development)
• 4-5 years of experience working in Non-Governmental Organisation, ideally focused on livelihoods programs;
• Experience in skills training, job placement, business development support and entrepreneurship programming; understanding of the digital ecosystem is an asset;
• Excellent organisational and program management skills, able to keep an eye on the ‘bigger picture’, with great attention to details;
• Good understanding of procurement, administration and finance procedures;
• Commitment to local capacity development and past experience of engaging and working with local stakeholders in program design and implementation;
• Demonstrated capacity to collaborate closely with INGOs, national NGOs and Community Based Organisations;
• Proven ability to work cooperatively with colleagues from other departments in a team environment, and to lead a diverse group of people.
• Show great initiative and be able to work well in a team and independently.
• Creativity and sense of humour to adapt to challenging circumstances;
• Arabic and English language - written and spoken is essential. Excellent written English is strongly desired.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have the ability to work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly fluid work and security environment with a capacity to spark innovative and transformative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programming. They will have proven experience working effectively and respectfully with local officials, as well as L/INGO and CBO representatives. They will have a record of accomplishment that demonstrates an emphasis on equality and inclusion, attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, and successfully meeting programmatic deadlines, as well as anticipating program needs in a dramatically and ever-changing social, political, and economic context. The ability to solve problems creatively, juggle multiple priorities under tight deadlines, and diplomatically manage unexpected and sudden events affecting project operations is essential.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Beirut, Lebanon it requires up to 30% of local field movements to various regions in the country, with the possibility to support other country offices and which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited. Housing for this role is in individual housing and staff will have access to good medical services and the living situation is of a high standard.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organisations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organisation with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.