Project Manager

I. About LADE 

LADE is a Lebanese non-profit and non-partisan organization advocating for election integrity and fair representation as two vital pillars for a functional democracy. Since its establishment in 1996, the Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections (LADE) has been heavily involved in instigating electoral reform on a national level through a set of well-designed interventions amongst which election monitoring constitutes a corner-stone for a viable parliament, where it features as a necessary tool to assess the electoral framework and propose amendments when needed. The association's early efforts reached paramount in 1998 with the implementation and management of a full-fledged campaign aiming at restoring local elections across Lebanon for the first time since the breakout of the Lebanese Civil War. Consequently, LADE’s role grew further and as a leading reformist organization. LADE’s awareness extended throughout the years to cover pre-elections, e-day and post-elections activities. Moreover, the association has been able, in a short period of time, to catch up with the academic and societal debates around media ethics and gender participation and has successfully developed a multifaceted and multidisciplinary approach to citizenship and electoral reform.

II. Job Purpose

The Project Manager is responsible for the overall planning, execution, and management of the electoral reform project funded by the European Union, ensuring the successful delivery of objectives within scope, timeline, and budget. This role involves leading a multidisciplinary team, coordinating with stakeholders, and implementing activities that promote electoral reforms, transparency, and inclusivity.

III. Main Tasks 

1. Project Panning and Strategy: 

• Develop a comprehensive project plan, including goals, milestones, and timelines.
• Identify risks, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure project adaptability to challenges.

2. Implementation and Execution:

• Oversee the day-to-day implementation of project activities, ensuring quality, efficiency, and timely delivery.
• Lead the development and rollout of electoral reform initiatives, awareness campaigns, and advocacy strategies.
• Ensure project activities address key reform issues, including voter education, electoral transparency, and legal framework improvements.

3. Stakeholder Coordination:

• Engage with government bodies, Members of the Lebanese Parliament, electoral management bodies like the Ministry of Interior, Supervisory Commission of Elections, local partners, and international partners.
• Facilitate workshops, dialogues, and roundtables with relevant stakeholders to encourage inclusive electoral reform.

4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• Collect and analyze project data to measure impact and inform decision-making.
• Prepare timely and high-quality reports (narrative and financial) for donors, partners, and organizational leadership.

5. Team Management:

• Lead and mentor a project team, providing guidance, setting clear objectives, and ensuring performance targets are met.
• Manage external consultants, trainers, and experts as needed.

6. Financial and Administrative Oversight:

• Monitor project budgets to ensure activities remain within approved financial parameters.
• Ensure compliance with donor regulations, financial management standards, and organizational policies.
• Manage contracts, procurement processes, and logistics for project activities.

7. Advocacy & Public Outreach:

• Lead efforts to raise awareness of electoral reforms among citizens, with a focus on youth, women, and marginalized groups.
• Support media and communication strategies to disseminate project findings and advocate for reforms.

IV. Key Qualifications:

1. Education:

• Master’s degree in political science, public administration, development studies, law, or a related field.

2. Experience:

• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience managing projects, preferably in electoral reform, governance, or democracy-building. EU/USAID funded project management is required. 
• Experience working with government institutions, civil society organizations, electoral management bodies, or international agencies.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement and advocacy.

3. Skills:

• Strong project management skills, including planning, budgeting, and reporting.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills.
• Proven ability to lead teams and coordinate multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Knowledge of electoral systems, electoral laws, and democratic governance principles.
• Proficiency in project management tools, MS Office Suite, and M&E frameworks.

4. Personal Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong commitment to democratic values, transparency, and citizen participation.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and under pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, with cultural and political sensitivity.

5. Preferred Competencies:

• Experience working on projects promoting electoral integrity, political participation, or legal reforms.
• Familiarity with Lebanon's electoral system and political landscape.
• Experience in public outreach, advocacy campaigns, and stakeholder dialogues.
• Fluency in Arabic and English (French is a plus).