Livelihoods Project Manager (Pending Funding)

Basmeh & Zeitooneh is a registered Lebanese organization, committed to serving refugees and vulnerable communities in Lebanon through six community centers across the country. The organization runs educational, relief, livelihoods, and protection programs, and aims to serve as an inclusive and supportive focal point for the entire community.

Basmeh & Zeitooneh has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation, abuse, and child abuse. Also, fraud, bribery, and corrupt activities.

Basmeh & Zeitooneh (B&Z) is committed to maintaining the security, confidentiality, and privacy of your personal information.

Basmeh & Zeitooneh is committed to safeguarding the well-being of children and upholding the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Basmeh & Zeitooneh maintains a zero-tolerance policy on child abuse.

Location: Nabaa & Bourj Hammoud Area

Reports To: Operations & Program Manager; Logistics support by Nabaa center coordinator and technical support by Food Security & Livelihoods technical lead

Project Description: The project is to be implemented in Bourj Hammoud & Nabaa. The project is centered around urban agriculture and food processing. Mainly to introduce youth in urban areas to urban agriculture.

Job Purpose: The Livelihoods Project Manager will support project participants and stakeholders involved with the project using recommended implementation approaches and methodologies. This position will facilitate participatory planning, implementation, and monitoring of project interventions in close collaboration with partners and stakeholders. The Project Manager will also coordinate with other partners from the project consortium.

Major Activities:

The Livelihoods Project Manager shall be responsible for:

1. Project Cycle Management and Implementation

● Develop a comprehensive detailed implementation plan, including tasks, responsibilities, timelines, and resources needed for each project phase.
● Ensure project implementation is on time, target and budget, that the project targets are well understood and achieved according to the implementation work-plan, and to adapt the plan when required.
● Conduct risk assessments and develop risk management strategies to mitigate potential project risks.
● Oversee all procurement needs in coordination with the B&Z procurement unit
● Draft timely periodic activity progress reports to Program manager
● Contribute to the selection of suitable curriculums for required training according to the participants needs and monitor the training assuring quality.
● Assure quality update of participants database and follow up.

2.  Development and strengthening of partnerships with:

● Partners
● Stakeholders from Lebanese public institutions: ministries, municipalities, chambers of commerce, etc.

● Local groups, cooperatives,particpants, etc .

3. Launching of activities
The Project manager will be supervising a team to launch and implement the following activities:
● Provide technical info sessions for selected participants that include key messages about the project
● Support Agriculture trainer and Food processing trainer will curriculum and delivery of training sessions.
● Lead on the provision of participants groups with suitable assets to apply productive, profitable and sustainable principles and techniques learned
● Lead on the development of network of experts ready to provide extension services to producers in targeted value chains/sectors

 4. Budget and financial management
● Manage the budget performance according to spending timelines and identify risks of over/under spending in a timely manner.
● Responsible for generating budget plans including forecast and reallocation periodically and as per need.
● Ensure the compliance to B&Z and donors’ financial procedures on the project
● Keep daily track of the expenditures and available funds
● Coordinate and follow up with the B&Z finance unit.
● Regular update of the estimated budget over the total duration of the project (18 months)
● Coordinate activities with consortium partners.

5. Human resources management:
● Recruitment, management, retention and training of the project team: skills and knowledge transfer, capacity strengthening
● Team leadership and internal communication
● Providing technical support to all project staff members.
● Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback to team members.
● Identify training needs and organise capacity-building activities to enhance the team’s skills and knowledge.
● Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence and grow as individuals and as a team according to B&Z culture.

6. Reporting and coordination:
● Develop communication material for internal and external audiences in collaboration with the B&Z Communications unit
● Lead on and produce quality internal and external reports that are coherent and accurate with high professional standards in a timely manner.
● Reporting directly on a regular basis .
● Establish connections with local communities and key persons
● Coordinate with local actors and other education and protection actors during the Project implementation to avoid duplication of assistance
● Adhere to Basmeh & Zeitooneh 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 organization.
● Represent the organization in meetings, workshops, working groups and conferences related to the project
● Participate in grant review and partner meetings .
● Update the consortium partners on B&Z project progress, and be the liaison between B&Z management and the consortium.

Education & Experience :

● University degree in Agro-economy, agriculture engineering or any other relevant field for the position.
● 3-5 years of experience in a similar position .
● Fluent in Arabic, with excellent written and verbal English skills
● Good knowledge and understanding of the socio-economic context in Beirut and surroundings.

Competencies (Functional & Behavioral): 

Functional :

• Positive communication and effective listening to the needs of the beneficiaries.
• Accept and respect the cultural context in which we work.
• Flexibility at work and with the stress of work and place.
• Experience in dealing with local and public stakeholders
• Excellent reporting skills

Behavioral :

• High confidentiality and respect;
• Cultural awareness.
• Ability to work under pressure;
• High degree of adaptability and flexibility;
•  Good interpersonal skills and external relations
• Teamwork
• Planning and Organizing
• Initiative
• Humanitarian motivation, commitment to B&Z values & understanding of international assistance
• Respect B&Z policies and procedure.