Program Manager

Youth for Development (YFD) has emerged as a necessity to respond basically to the urgent needs of the Palestinian young refugees in Lebanon who have been suffering for long from many psychosocial disturbances, physical deformations, psychological disorders, and social problems. Prevailing feeling of frustration and distress among youth manifested itself in delinquent behaviors. However, this will not exempt YFD from the inclusion of Lebanese Youth and displaced Syrians in the agenda of its concerns since Palestinian, Lebanese, and Syrian youth live under the same conditions and confront common problems.

Duties/Assignments:

Manage and oversee all programs functions, operations and staff and ensure the successful achievement of YFD’s goals and strategies.
Manage and supervise YFD’s project officers in a pro-active and supportive way, according to the strategies and plans defined both on the strategic and operational levels.
Develop and maintain positive and constructive relationships and co-operation between different projects, teams, partners and other relevant stakeholders.
Assist the Executive Director in the development and implementation of new projects and ongoing projects as well as work on strategy development.
Liaise with partners and ensure internal and external reporting for donors: proposals and reports writing and follow up, in direct collaboration with the Executive Director and the Fundraising Manager.
Ensure appropriate budget management practices (including preparation of projects budgets) are followed and all reporting practices are in line with donor requirements in coordination with the Financial Manager.
Provide support to the Executive Director in the strategic development of programs.
Investigate the development of new additional projects including feasibility, project design and concept note/proposal writing for submission, fundraising etc.
Work in close collaboration with the fundraising manager on the development of new ideas, concepts, policies and practices.
Follow up on project management, supervision (monitoring, evaluation and remedial actions), ensuring timely and professional project implementation in term of activities, budget management according to approved internal plans, and agreements with partners.
Take relevant decisions to ensure the effectiveness and success of all projects, the timely implementation of all activities and meeting of all deadlines.
Provide regular updates and monthly reports to the Executive Director on all issues pertaining to program management and internal issues.
Organize regular meetings with the ED and project officers to discuss project impediments, risks and assumptions, needed resources or issues/delays in completing planned tasks.
Serve as a focal point to communicate and resolve interface and integration issues with all projects teams.
Oversee all project activities and be the main contact point for the donor and the field staff
Ensure project activities comply with the policies and regulations of the donor organization.
Responsible for overseeing the development and execution of project deliverables, lead project planning, budgeting, action plans and monitoring processes.
Responsible for submitting activity reports, meeting minutes and financial reports on regular basis to the donor.
Oversee the preparation and submission of annual activity-based project budgets as well as monthly and quarterly financial reports and sending of new funding requests.
Lead and motivate the project team and monitor project activities and project expenditure and coordinate work with consultants and volunteers in the project
Ensures close collaboration and coordination with cooperating partners to guarantee smooth implementation of activities and achievement of results as specified in grant agreements.
Perform additional tasks upon request of the director.

 
Education Requirements

University degree in Management, Public Administration or relevant field.
Relevant trainings on topics related to community development, social change, measuring impact, conflict transformation, etc.

 
Skill Requirements

At least 5 years management experience in relevant programs related to youth issues, rights, advocacy, social media, leadership, social change, behavioral change, conflict transformation, dialogue, etc.
Strong strategic planning, policy development and implementation, and project management, skills.
Understanding of program design and implementation including PCM, LFA and M&E concepts, tools and applications.
Comprehensive understanding of issues related to YFD’s points of focus (disability, rights, inclusion, accessibility, empowerment, etc.)
Sufficient experience and knowledge of effective financial and budgetary control and grant management.
Strong analytical and conceptual skills and knowledge of approaches and techniques to address and solve problems.
Ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports and communications and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style.
Strong skills and abilities in presentation, research, and writing proposals and reports.
Fluency in Arabic and English is required. French or other languages can be an asset.

 
 
Preferred Qualities 

Ability to prioritize tasks and excellent time management skills.
Capacity to work under pressure.
Excellent communication skills, efficient and proven relationship management and interpersonal skills with strong leadership, mentoring, influencing and negotiating skills.
Leadership and team building skills.
Determined, compassionate and has sound judgment.
Ability to take initiative and follow up on different issues independently.
Very good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations.
Strong leadership skills to motivate teams, groups and individuals.
Ability to prioritize tasks and excellent time management skills.