NATIONAL DEPUTY PROJECT MANAGER – AKKAR, LEBANON RESILIENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE (RESLOG) PROJECT

SKL International is looking for a self-motivated, organized and efficient National Deputy Project Manager for the Lebanese component of a two-year project focused on strengthening resilience in local governance. At the moment the project is in an inception phase until 30 November 2018. The project is financed by the Swedish Government as part of its regional support for the Syrian crisis. In Lebanon, the project will work with selected municipalities, Unions of Municipalities and other local actors in the Akkar governorate.  The project will be managed by a national team through a local office in Halba, Akkar.  Overall project management is through a Stockholm-based project manager, who also oversees a Turkish component. The National Deputy Project Manager will be responsible for specific parts of the Work Plan and will work together, and report to, the National Project Manager. The position is based in Halba with frequent travel in the Akkar governorate and on occasion within the country. 

The National Deputy Project Manager will be responsible for:

• Contributing to planning and reporting processes under the responsibility of the national project manager.
• Coordinate, monitor and report on specific project activities in Akkar according to proposals and work/action plans.
• Manage and continuously monitor the related activities’ budget and ensure timely procurement and expenditure is maintained to avoid under or over spending.
• Ensure adherence to SKL I policies and SIDA requirements.

This includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Liaising with and coordinating the activities of Reslog with SKL Internationals implementing partners in Lebanon. This include institutional assessments and capacity building of staff of the LDO and Unions of Municipalities in Akkar.
• Promote inter-union coordination
• Facilitate and prepare exchange with Swedish and Turkish Union of Municipalities/Municipalities.
• Managing activities with the Governors’ office in Akkar and the Local Development Office (LDO).
• Facilitate strategic development plans with Municipalities and local communities in Akkar.
• Assigning and managing support consultants for the LDO and the Union of Municipalities (long/medium/short term).
• Support to municipalities in capacity building activities (M&E, proposal development, accountability etc)
• Develop and manage work with local community networks with specific focus on Women and Youth.
• Support digital linkages between communities and municipalities

• Engaging in dialogue with local project stakeholders in Akkar

• Communication and information management

• Carrying out other duties and responsibilities as agreed with SKL International.

Profile and qualifications

The National Deputy Project Manager should be a Lebanese national with the following personal characteristics:

• Self-motivated and able to work effectively under general supervision
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks at once, and coordinate a high number of people and activities
• Sound judgement and ability to respond flexibly in a dynamic environment
• Strong social skills and ability to build trustful, and effective relationships and networks
• Ability to operate professionally and with integrity, and to maintain impartiality and objectivity
• Excellent communication (written and oral), reporting and presentation skills.

The National Deputy Project Manager should meet the following requirements:

• Relevant academic education, or practical experience proven to be equivalent
• Demonstrated experience of coordinating project plans, people, and activities
• Experience in setting up and following project planning, management and administrative processes and implementing office routines;
• Excellent command of MS Office applications and strong ability to use computers, the internet and social media;
• Experience from working in Akkar
• Strong verbal and written command of English and in Arabic
• Experience from working with Gender mainstreaming and Conflict Sensitivity.

Additional aspects considered a strong merit for the position include experience of working with:

• International development cooperation – for example, through working with NGOs, consultancies, foreign missions, international organisation or comparable institutions/organisations. In particular experience from working with Sida funded programs.
• Subject areas such as municipal service delivery, organisational development, leadership & management, local economic development, strategic planning, gender, social stability issues, community mobilisation, citizen participation
• Online communication and website management;

The assignment is expected to start 20 November 2018. The National Deputy Project Manager will be engaged as a full-time consultant through a consulting contract. As a consultant, the applicant will be required to arrange and pay all taxes, social security contributions, pensions, leave or other costs required by law.