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 Program Coordinator will provide support to the humanitarian assistance projects in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq that MCC is undertaking as a result of ongoing needs in the region.

Based in Beirut, the worker is tasked with managing the program’s Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (PMER) for all MCC internally funded projects in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.  Alongside the MCC Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq (MCC LSI) Representatives, the Coordinator will assist in all planning, monitoring and evaluating activities, which includes capacity building of local partners towards greater independence and sustainability and the writing and compilation of project proposals and progress and completion reports.

The Program Coordinator will meet with MCC partners directly to aid in reporting requirements and support provided by MCC’s Planning, Learning and Disaster Response (PLDR) department.  

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), strong organizational skills and ability to pay attention to detail, essential
• Proficiency in results-based management, project design and report writing in international development and disaster response contexts, essential
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) required, language abilities in Arabic and French a plus.
• Ability to analyze project assessment, monitoring and evaluation information and assist with the design and implementation of such tools.
• 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 partners’ 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.

The person filling this assignment will assist the Representatives and MCC LSI staff in coordinating PMER in the preparation of project reporting, as well as assist with proposal writing for new projects and funding applications in cooperation with partner agencies. MCC Program Coordinators from the PLDR department (based in Winnipeg and Akron) also support the MCC LSI program.

The position is supervised by the MCC Representatives for Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.

Duties: (specific tasks & responsibilities)

• Support MCC LSI Representatives and MCC partners in report writing for humanitarian assistance, development and peacebuilding projects.
  • Compile and analyze outcome and output data and assist with report review and writing/editing for projects in multiple sectors – shelter, NFIs, WASH, livelihoods, peacebuilding, protection and education.
  • Communicate and work regularly with MCC Program Coordinators (based in Winnipeg in Akron) to meet reporting requirements.
  • Preparation of data entry for MCC’s internal program database
• Support MCC LSI Representatives and MCC partners in the preparation of new project concept papers and proposals.
  • Support MCC partners in the drafting, compilation and review of new project concept papers and proposals in multiple sectors.
  • Work with staff in the PLDR department in the preparation of funding proposal applications.
• Provide management and capacity building to staff who will assist with all PMER work for the program, as well as coordinate with the External Grants Coordinator.
• Work with MCC LSI Representatives to evaluate and strengthen partner projects, including visiting of partner organizations and projects to better understand their work and assist with PMER support needs.
• Compile and monitor key performance indicators on all projects, reviewing all partner reports for quality and ensuring that reports and other project documents capture progress, effectiveness and impact of projects
• Work with partners to develop their capacity for designing and implementing projects in a variety of sectors that may be new to partners
• 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.
• Develop contacts and relationships with relevant external agencies (local government, community based and NGO entities) to enhance program implementation and sustainability.
• If work schedule permits, be available to help in any regional (e.g., MCC Jordan) external grants efforts.
• A willingness to help with various tasks in the MCC office.
• Model non-violent peacemaking in the workplace and community through respectful interactions with others.
• 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.