Background
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) is a global, nonprofit organization that strives to share God’s love and compassion for all through relief, development and peace - www.mcc.org. 

Established in 1921, MCC has almost 100 years of experience in peacebuilding, disaster response and development and has had an ongoing presence in the Middle East since the 1960s. MCC primarily works through national partnerships to improve the lives of local communities. 

MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Start Date:  As soon as possible
Benefits: Severance, medical insurance, child education benefits and vacation days 
Hours: 40 hours per week (9:00 to 17:00, about 10-15% travel involved)
Contract basis: 12 months (with 3-month probationary period)

The External Grants Coordinator will provide support to the humanitarian assistance and other externally funded projects in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq that MCC is undertaking as a result of the ongoing needs in the region. 

Based in Beirut, the External Grants Coordinator is tasked with managing MCC projects funded by the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB), the European Union and the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund (UN-OCHA). Other duties include pursing and supporting external grants; supporting other MCC humanitarian assistance projects where needed; Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (PMER) capacity building of local partners; monitoring project implementation through regular visits; and coordination with MCC’s Planning, Learning and Disaster Response (PLDR) department. The External Gants Coordinator will work closely with MCC Lebanon, Syria and Iraq Representatives on all planning, monitoring and evaluating activities.

The coordinator will:
1.    Manage projects funded by Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB), the European Union, and the UN OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance), including managing the planning, proposal writing, evaluation and reporting
2.    Pursue external grants opportunities related to ongoing priority needs
3.    Support the management and coordination of other MCC Lebanon, Syria and Iraq projects, where needed, alongside MCC Representatives and other program staff.
4.    Supervise program staff implementing or with responsibilities associated with externally funded projects

Qualifications: (necessary skills, experience, and education):  

• Bachelor’s degree in humanitarian assistance, international development, or related field required, or relevant work experience in place of specific degree; Master’s degree preferred
• Prior work experience in the humanitarian field is preferred  
• Strong written communication skills (including proposal & report writing skills), proficiency in results-based management, project design and report writing in international development and disaster response contexts are essential
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) required, language abilities in Arabic and French a plus
• Familiarity with institutional donor proposal and report writing requirements (e.g., GAC, EU, OCHA) is an asset 
• Ability to analyze project assessments, monitoring and evaluation information, and to assist with the design and implementation of such tools
• Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation methods related to market analysis and food consumption (e.g., Food Consumption Score, coping strategies index) is desirable
• Willingness and ability to travel to Syria and Iraq, if travel restrictions allow
• Ability to work as part of a team, manage staff, to focus under pressure and to work on tight timelines
• Ability to expand partner understanding of planning, monitoring and reporting of projects through empowering methods
• Understanding of the complexity of regional dynamics (e.g., the Syrian crisis), openness to listen to all perspectives without judgment, ability to focus on a politically neutral humanitarian response
• Capacity to show compassion in crisis situations, balanced with the ability to be objective enough to overcome distress and adhere to stated program goals

Assignment Narrative: MCC has been working in the Middle East since 1948. It has worked in Lebanon since 1977, and Iraq and Syria since 1991. Since 2012, MCC has had a large response to the Syrian crisis in the region. It has supported local partners in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan in the areas of food security, WASH, shelter and non-food items, peacebuilding, protection, health, education and livelihoods. Since 2014, MCC has also been working through local partners in Iraq to respond to large displacement needs as a result of conflict. In addition to supporting ongoing humanitarian crises, MCC continue to address other local population needs, as well as those of other refugee populations, including Palestinians. 

In order to sustain MCC’s response to growing needs in the region, additional support is required in PMER, along with reporting on and securing external funding opportunities.

The person filling this assignment will coordinate PMER in the preparation of project reporting and planning, primarily for four food security projects with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank across Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. The position’s time will be split approximately 60% FTE working with the CFGB projects, 25% on other externally funded projects and 15% on grant writing and other support to the program. MCC program coordinators from the Planning, Learning and Disaster Response department (based in Winnipeg and Akron) also support the MCC Syria, Lebanon and Iraq program.

Duties: (specific tasks & responsibilities)

Major Responsibilities:

• CFGB project management – 60%
• Non-CFGB Grant management – 25%
• External Grants concept note and proposal development – 10%
• Other MCC program support – 5%

1. Grants Management

• Compile and analyze outcome and output data for reports as well as writing/editing for projects in the areas of food assistance (e.g., food baskets, vouchers), non-food items and shelter
• Preparation of narrative and financial reporting for CFGB and other external grant projects (e.g., GAC, EU, OCHA, etc.)
• Coordinate and review financial reporting on a monthly or quarterly basis as required to ensure strong financial management of grants
• Ensure that grants are implemented in compliance with MCC and relevant donor regulations
• Manage all reporting deadlines, develop calendars for report development and coordinate report compilation and review
• Communicate and meet frequently with project and partner staff to provide support and guidance on adjustments to project plans, project design and general challenges in project implementation
• Ensure timely completion of procurement processes and contracts for the provision of in-kind and cash-based food assistance projects
• Coordinate with donors on grants management, project progress, monitoring and evaluation
• Responsible for preparing notifications and requests for authorization of contract amendments and other grants administration requirements
• Ensure any implementing partners are well supported and the quality of their work is monitored and assured
• Communicate and work regularly with MCC program coordinators (based in Winnipeg and Akron) to understand reporting requirements
• Prepare data for entry into MCC’s internal program database
• Prepare data for entry into UN program databases

2. Grant Proposal Development - Collaborate with external grant coordinators in MCC’s head offices in the preparation of new project concept note and proposal submissions, with input from relevant MCC Lebanon, Syria and Iraq staff and implementing partners.

• Coordinate the drafting, compilation and review of new project proposals and extensions alongside MCC partners in sectors including peacebuilding, shelter, non-food items and food assistance
• Work with staff in the Planning, Learning and Disaster Response department in the preparation of high-quality funding proposal applications

3. Develop contacts and relationships with relevant external agencies (local government, community based and NGO entities) to enhance program implementation and sustainability
4. Human Resources

• Participate in recruiting, training and mentorship of staff with responsibilities for externally funded projects
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis
• Ensure that staff have regular performance evaluations and receive ongoing feedback

5. Work with MCC Lebanon, Syria and Iraq Representatives and other MCC program staff to evaluate and strengthen partner projects, including visiting of partner organizations and projects to better understand their work and assist with PMER support needs
6. Attend, in coordination with other MCC staff, various UN sector meetings to coordinate, become aware of external grants, and build relationships with other INGOs/NGOs
7. Together with the program coordinator for MCC’s internally supported projects, hold regular program team meetings on program wide priorities and initiatives and to facilitate cross-program learning and synergies
8. Assist MCC partner organizations, as requested, to support their emergency response work through various administrative tasks
9. If work schedule permits, be available to help in any regional (e.g., MCC Jordan) external grants efforts.
10. Be willing to help with various tasks in the MCC office
11. Model non-violent peacemaking in the workplace and community through respectful interactions with others
12. Attend MCC meetings and events (including partner conference and retreats), as appropriate

Challenges: 

• Political instability, especially in Syria & Iraq. The worker must be willing to adhere to security guidelines and heed the advice of local partners and the MCC Representatives on security issues.
• At certain times of the year, reporting deadlines may lead to heavier than normal workloads. Meetings or activities with partners can occur in the evenings or on the weekends. Flexibility will be needed.