Project Manager - Makani Project (Subject to donor approval)

BACKGROUND:

For more than 20 years, we have delivered programs with impact in both development and humanitarian contexts. As pioneers in a unique approach to learning, both inside and outside of the classroom, we harness play, one of the most fundamental forces in a child’s life, to help children dismantle barriers and embrace opportunities. We are the only global development organization focused exclusively on using the power of play to transform children’s lives.   

We reach millions of children each year in 15 countries around the world. By collaborating with teachers, governments, communities, and parents, we help children unlock their potential, enabling them to make positive and healthy choices and to create better futures for themselves, their families, and their societies.

Since 2006, Right to Play has been working in Lebanon to support most marginalized children and young people, provide them with access to play-based learning and psychosocial support. In our new strategy 2024-2026, Right to Play will focus on enhancing the learning and social and emotional skills of children affected by crisis through play-based teaching methodologies, providing play-based psychosocial support to improve the holistic wellbeing of children and young people, and supporting young people to fulfill their potential and drive change at local and national levels.

With a shared passion for our mission, our Culture Code guides how we act and interact based on five core pillars:

• Accept Everyone – Be intentional about inclusion
• Make Things Happen – Seek opportunities to lead and innovate
• Display Courage – Act with integrity
• Demonstrate Care – Look after yourself and one another
• Be Playful – Have fun at work

Please visit our website to learn more about who we are and what we do, and watch this video to find out about the five pillars of our Culture Code.

About the MAKANI Project

 Makani is a project delivered with support from UNICEF and dedicated to providing multi-services for local communities across Lebanon. RTP was selected as a Makani partner in September 2025 and as such will deliver the project in three Makani centers in South Lebanon and Mount Lebanon , by integrating play-based methodologies into various Makani services, including Community-Based Early Childhood Education (CB-ECE), Basic Literacy and Numeracy (BLN), Accelerated Learning Program (ALP), and Retention Support classes. In addition, play-based learning methodologies will be embedded into the Youth Basic Literacy and Numeracy (YBLN) and Youth Functional Skills (YFS) packages, along with caregivers' engagement, to foster safe, engaging, and protective learning environments that enhance foundational skills and promote socio-emotional development and resilience. RTP Makani centers will target a total of 3,375 children and young people, along with 375 caregivers, considering the gender balance within the community context. RTP will deliver the project in partnership with Sama for Development, a civil society organization active in the targeted communities.

JOB SUMMARY:

Lead, manage and implement emergency response projects focusing on psychosocial support, child protection, and learning continuity in humanitarian settings, while ensuring coordination with multiple stakeholders to maintain project quality, alignment and compliance.              

1. Accountability & Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and narrative and financial reporting of project activities- adhering to Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) & Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPMS) to ensure high-quality delivery aligned with donor requirements and organizational standards (50%)
• Guide and support the project team, ensuring clarity of roles, compliance with safeguarding, and adherence to donor regulations (20%)
• Manage partnerships with local NGOs, CBOs, UN clusters, and other stakeholders; build partner capacity; prepare agreements; and liaise with the Fundraising Centre to support donor stewardship, proposal development, and representation in coordination forums (15%)
• Develop strategic and operational plans, multi-year scale-up scenarios, detailed budgets, and new project initiatives in collaboration with programme, finance, and MEL teams, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and donor rules (10 %)
• Act on other tasks such as troubleshooting implementation bottlenecks, capturing success stories, and supporting cross-functional needs in a dynamic humanitarian context (5%)

2. Scope (geographical and/or functional), Impact and Autonomy

Oversees a multi-site humanitarian project portfolio in Saida and Chouf district, with delegated authority for day-to-day operational, and financial decisions.

3. Leadership and Staff management

Provides line management to project coordinators/officers if applicable and overall guidance to volunteers and facilitators in the field. Key duties include recruitment, induction, objective-setting, coaching, appraisal and maintaining a safe, inclusive team culture.

4. Information requirement for decision-making

Relies on timely data on progress, finance, compliance, partner performance and security access. Information is drawn from RTP project tools, MEL dashboards and cluster coordination; where gaps exist, the PM designs new analytical templates with MEL staff.

5. Innovation and Improvements

Drives improvements and process innovations in data collection, real-time feedback loops, and partner engagement; any high-risk change is cleared with the Senior Management Team

6. Relationships & Communications: Internal / External:

Internal, the tole works internally with Programme, MEL, Finance, Program Quality team (EiE/Gender & Social Inclusion /CP & PSS/Play specialists, Senior Leadership Team

  External: Local NGOs/CBOs, Education & Child-Protection clusters, line ministries, municipalities, donors, media/communications outlets

7. Expertise (Certifications / Education, Professional Experience/Language)

• Bachelor's degree in social sciences, development studies, or related fields.
• Relevant certifications in project management, child protection, Psychosocial support, or education in emergencies are a plus.
• 5 years managing EiE, Child Protection or PSS projects for development and humanitarian organizations in complex emergencies.
• Demonstrated success in planning, implementation, monitoring, report writing, partnership management, stakeholder coordination and donor compliance.
• Familiarity with CPMS, INEE Minimum Standards and strong coordination networks.
• Budgetary control and financial management, including ability to read and understand financial data.  
• Proficiency in project cycle management tools and methodologies. 
• Knowledge of results-based management and/or other recognized approaches to project monitoring & evaluation.  
• Fluency in Arabic and English (both spoken and written).
• Microsoft Office, data-management tools, budget control, results-based management.
• Prior experience working in complex emergency settings with a strong background in coordination and humanitarian responses is highly desired.
• Experience in managing multi-component programs such as Early Childhood Education (ECE), Basic Literacy and Numeracy (BLN), Accelerated Learning Programs (ALP), Youth Functional Skills (YFS), Caregiver engagement activities

8. Core Competences

• Collaboration: High-Works effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners to achieve shared goals.
• Growth Mindset: High – Actively seeks feedback, adapts to change, and drives continuous improvement in dynamic settings.
• Resilience: High – Maintains performance and decision-making under pressure and in rapidly changing humanitarian contexts.
• Professionalism: High – Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and adherence to ethical and safeguarding standards.
• Management and Interpersonal Skills: High – Effectively leads teams, resolves conflicts, and communicates clearly across diverse groups

WHO YOU ARE:

You are highly driven, results-oriented, collaborative and well-rounded leader with a passion for working with

children and youth. You are an exceptional communicator with excellent networking skills.

WHAT YOU’LL GET:

The opportunity to work with a passionate, innovative and collaborative team where you have the ability to make things happen. You will gain experience working for a globally recognized organization with a healthy culture premised on our Culture Code (accept everyone, make things happen, display courage, demonstrate care and be playful). In addition, we offer a competitive salary and benefits package.

Target Start Date:           Expected in January 2026 (Subject to final donor approval)

Contract Duration:          Fixed- term - Full-time – 1 year contract until December 2026 with possibility of renewal based on the performance and funds availability.