وظيفة project manager wa

About Mercy Corps:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently works in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps is committed to generating positive opportunities for women, men, boys and girls from Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian communities, with a strong focus on engaging youth.  Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping build secure, productive and just communities. Our programs focus on four sectors:  Economic Opportunities, Governance and Social Stability, Youth Engagement, and Humanitarian interventions. The Mercy Corps Lebanon team consists of over 100 staff working across four offices throughout Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon, Tripoli and the Bekaa Valley.

Program Summary:

Mercy Corps is looking for an experienced Project Manager for the anticipated 42-month AFD-funded BASATINE Program (Bolstering Agriculture Systems’ Ability to Invest, Nourish, and Employ). CARE International is the consortium lead while Mercy Corps is the lead on two of the five components. The intervention aims to immediately address food insecurity and provide needed income and technical support to farmers to survive the current crisis in the short-term, and to improve the capacity of food systems to maintain employment and growth over the longer term via stronger domestic production and system linkages. Mercy Corps will lead on improved market linkages within the agricultural sector by working with input suppliers and with SMEs within the agro-food industry, and on the generation of evidence through research and regular MEL activities to promote evidence-based sector development.

The program seeks to strike a balance between short-term urgent and ever evolving humanitarian needs of agricultural producers, and the longer-term building up and facilitation of more efficient market systems supporting the sector. It seeks to address barriers and challenges to increased domestic production along the agriculture value chain(s) that is operationally and financially sustainable. It seeks to identify and scale up potential import substitutes for domestic market consumption and increased food security, while also identifying and addressing barriers to access export markets for improved trade and hard currency generation. The intervention will mainly focus on wheat and vegetables value chains, while also integrating segments of other value chains (poultry, potatoes, trees, etc.) to ensure that it follows a territorial approach. The program will have a strong MEL, research and learning agenda to provide ongoing evidence-based adaptation internally and the generation of actionable, contextualized research for humanitarian and development practitioners, donors, local and national level public sector, and private sector actors.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Project Manager is responsible for the oversight of all activities implemented in Bekaa under Specific Objective 3 within the BASATINE program: “Agriculture sector actors engage in improved market activities, resources, and trade relationships”. S/he will manage the team based in Zahle office and ensure that activities within this target area are implemented to a high quality, on time, and within budget.  S/he will ensure that activities under this objective contribute to achieving key deliverables, including development of locally produced inputs, improved access of farmers to these inputs, and increased linkages between farmers and agro-food processors. As requested by the Program Manager, the successful candidate will assist with consortium coordination throughout the grant, attend sector-specific meetings with peer organizations, as well as supporting and building partnerships with CBO’s, Private Sector, and Government.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Program Coordination

• Support the Program Manager and program team in planning and implementing program activities to meet program deliverables based on timeline and scope agreed with the donor and the consortium lead;
• Collaborate closely with other components of the program and other consortium partners;
• Participate in team planning and coordination meetings and trainings;
• Directly manage the SO3 budget for the Bekaa area and complete financial planning to inform programming.
• Provide day-to-day oversight and coordination, including administrative, financial and logistical support, troubleshoot any administrative problems and report any challenges or bottlenecks to the Program Manager;
• Responsible for the filing and record keeping of program documents related to all activities in Bekaa area;
• Contribute to data collection tools, assessments and mapping reports, as an integral part of the program;
• Support monitoring and evaluation efforts to document program outputs, outcomes, and impact to inform donor and other internal reporting;
• Contribute in the analysis of data collected to facilitate assessment results and lessons learnt;
• Monitor adherence to grant agreement, Mercy Corps policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations for all activities implemented in Bekaa;
• Contribute to quarterly reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor and internal requirements.

Program Implementation

• Oversee the successful implementation of program activities, ensuring that Zahle team is following work plans, that activities are on schedule, and that program deliverables are completed as agreed;
• Contribute to the development of processes and tools for all activities related to the implementation of SO3: identification and development of local agricultural inputs, the access of farmers to inputs, and support to SMEs working in the selected Value Chains;
• Lead and provide technical support for the local agricultural input production component;
• Oversee outreach activities in target areas;
• Oversee in collaboration with technical experts the design of development plans for the input suppliers and for SMEs in Bekaa area;
• Coordinate financial and operational feasibility studies for input producers;
• Lead on the preparation of tender and contracts, including technical specifications of work to be performed by contractors and sub-grantees;
• Identify new partnerships with the medium and large scale private sector for co-investment opportunities in the agricultural inputs sector;
• Collaborate closely with all relevant key stakeholders in the agricultural sector, including private sector representatives, business associations, local and international NGOs, UN agencies and the relevant Ministries (Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Industry);
• Ensure that all activities implemented under SO3 in Bekaa are in compliance with international norms and standards, national laws and policies, technical standards and organizational policies;
• Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation (M&E), accountability and learning systems.

Coordination and Representation

• Liaise as agreed with the Program Manager with local officials including municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, local NGOs and INGOs, key community leaders, input producers, input suppliers, business associations and other relevant stakeholders to ensure successful deliverables
• Build relationships with local authorities to introduce the program and facilitate access to information related to program activities and scope. Arrange for meetings as requested
• Develop and maintain working relationships and coordinate with relevant international and local agencies active in the livelihoods and economic development sector;
• Represent Mercy Corps at local coordination meetings as requested by the Program Manager.

Team Management

• Provide oversight and technical support to the Bekaa team as needed;
• Develop and implement a comprehensive plan for staff capacity building.

Other

• Ensure all activities are gender sensitive and follow Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity Policy;
• Apply Do No Harm standards to ensure activities do not have detrimental effects on vulnerable communities;
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission in Lebanon;
• Participate in internal office coordination, planning meetings, and workshops;
• Other duties as assigned.

Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations 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 towards accountability, specifically to our program participants/beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging participants/beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: SMEs coordinator, Field assistant

ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: BASATINE Program Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: BASATINE Program team, MC Support Departments (MEL, HR, Finance, Operations), other consortium partners

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BA/S or equivalent in agriculture, agri-business, business administration or other relevant field;
• Knowledge and experience in agricultural inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, seeds..) is a great plus.
• At least seven years of experience and proven high level of competence in working in economic and market development and/or in agriculture and agribusiness sectors (private sector or NGO);
• Knowledge of the Market System Development approach is a great plus;
• Proven ability to network and collaborate with private sectors entities, such as Chambers of Commerce, business associations or other private entities representatives in the agricultural / agri-business sector;
• Experience creating and managing detailed action/project plans and assessing impact to timelines and budget for change in scope or pivot in direction;
• Experience drafting detailed requirements for use by third parties to execute against;
• Problem solvers with the ability to analyze and prioritize to meet objectives;
• Deep knowledge of Lebanon, in particular its agriculture sector and evolving economic challenges;
• Strong leadership and team management skills;
• Great communication skills and sense of humor;
• Knowledge of Mercy Corps’ MSMEs development model is a plus;
• Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential.

SUCCESS FACTORS:

A successful candidate will have a passion for working in partnership with the private sector to find innovative solutions to improve the agricultural and agro-business system in Lebanon. S/he will have proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results, as well as an ability to work independently and as part of a team, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humor.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours. 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.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization 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, color, 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 elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Living/Environmental Conditions

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. 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.