Livelihoods Program Manager (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the link provided)

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 and Humanitarian interventions. The Mercy Corps Lebanon team consists of over 180 staff working across six offices throughout Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon, Tripoli and the Bekaa Valley.

Program / Department Summary

The “Fostering Resilience by Strengthening Abilities” FORSA II program is a 6.5 mio Euros integrated three-and-a-half-year (December 2019 - May 2023) program focusing on the nexus between education and employment. The program targets youth between the ages of 16-34 from Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian families, with a specific focus on women and girls in the target areas.  The overall objective is that women and youth are supported to access education and employment in targeted areas in the Bekaa and South.

The primary objectives of the program are that:

1. Youth from all targeted communities have improved market-driven skills as a result of better quality training systems;
2. Job placement systems provide equitable and sustainable access to jobs for targeted populations;
3. Male and female youth have improved pathways to self-employment.

General Position Summary

The Program Manager for the ‘FORSA 2” program will support and work in close collaboration with the Markets, Economic Growth and Recovery (MERG) Sector Lead in the planning and day-to-day implementation of all program activities, including procurement, finance and MEL and ensure that program activities are being implemented on deadline and target. S/he will ensure the coherence and quality of the program interventions, seeking out innovations and adaptations to ensure that they lead to the desired impact in the rapidly changing political, economic and political context of Lebanon.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Work closely with the MERG Sector Lead and senior team members to fully understand the ‘bigger picture’ of the program and what it aims to achieve;
• Work with and support team members in the design, adaptation and implementation of program components to achieve measurable impact within an uncertain country context;
• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and create a positive collaborative environment where alternative viewpoints are welcomed, recognized, and have the opportunity to create ownership by all team members

Program Management

• Ensure that the program targets are well understood and achieved according to the implementation work-plan, working with the MERG Sector Lead to adapt the work-plan when required. This includes being responsible for the quality of periodical reports/updates and grants tracking systems by ensuring that subgrant and grant records are kept up to date.
• Ensure that program implementation is responsive to communities’ needs and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
• Ensure that program participants are effectively targeted according to established vulnerability criteria.
• Integrate inclusive community approaches and gender sensitivity into all activities as appropriate.
• Ensure program implementation is on time, target and budget, and collaborate with the MEL Manager and PAQ Manager to monitor desired impacts.
• Fulfill Mercy Corps’ Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guidelines.
• Ensure all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, Safeguarding, and beneficiary accountability standards.
• Ensure proper implementation of referral mechanisms in Mercy Corps.

Partner Coordinatior

• Ensure that partners are implementing activities as per their work plan, on time and within budget, with the quality required, assisting partners in updating their work plans as required;
• Review partners financial and narrative reports before submission to the MERG Sector lead;
• Pay close attention to issues, trends or concerns that arise from partner reports, updates and meetings. In discussion with the MERG Sector Lead make decisions and take action;
• Ensure a smooth coordination between the different program outcomes and the partners’ activities;
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely and informative reporting in line with donor and Mercy Corps policies and procedures;
• Contribute to fostering a positive collaborative and mutually beneficial working relationship between Mercy Corps staff and partners.

Team Management

• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one-on-ones and performance reviews.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence as individuals and as a team.

Finance & Compliance Management

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations;
• Keep track of expenditures in coordination with the Program Support Coordinator;
• Ensure financial monitoring of the partner expenditure in coordination with the Finance Department and represent the program during monthly BvA meetings.

Reporting and Communication

• Develop communication material for internal and external audiences;
• Contribute to and review all internal and external reports to ensure coherence, accuracy, high professional standards, and timeliness.

Representation

• Maintain productive relationships with internal and external constituents such as private partners, national government, foundations, the private sector, etc.
• Maintain productive relationships with the international community inclusive of the United Nations, International NGOs, Think Tanks, Research Institutes, and Foreign Governments.

• As required by the supervisor, represent Mercy Corps at donor meetings, and government and sectoral coordination forums/meetings.
• Adhere to Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct policy, understanding that all team members represent the organization both inside and outside the office and should act in ways that bring credit to the individual, the team, the program and the organization.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of and adhere to policies.

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 toward accountability, specifically
  to program participants and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging participating communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
• 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.

Supervisory Responsibility

Direct supervision of the partner and of the Program Support Coordinator, gradually the Program Manager will supervise the whole team (approximately 15 people), including four direct reports.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: MERG Sector Lead

Works Directly With: Project Manager, MEL Manager, Snr. Coordinator

Knowledge and Experience

• University Degree or Higher in field relating to humanitarian and development work or Degree relevant to one or more of the following technical sectors (Economics, Business, Sociology, Development)
• 5-6 years of experience working in Non-Governmental Organisation, ideally focused on livelihoods programs;
• Experience in vocational training, job placement, job platforms and/or entrepreneurship an asset;
• Excellent organizational and program management skills, able to keep an eye on the ‘bigger picture’, with great attention to details;
• Good understanding of procurement, administration and finance procedures;
• Commitment to local capacity development and past experience of engaging and working with local stakeholders in program design and implementation.
• Demonstrated capacity to collaborate closely with INGOs, national NGOs and Community Based Organisations.
• Proven ability to work cooperatively with colleagues from other departments in a team environment, and to lead a diverse group of people.
• Show great initiative and be able to work well in a team and independently.
• Creativity and sense of humor to adapt to challenging circumstances;
• Arabic and English language written and spoken is essential. Excellent written English is strongly desired.

Success Factors

The successful candidate will have a keen interest in and an understanding of the complex socio-political and economic context of Lebanon, able to spot emerging trends and opportunities that may positively or negatively impact the program.They will have a good understanding of how markets function and have a keen curiosity in helping develop solutions for those in Lebanon suffering economically. A curious and open mind with a good sense of humor are important, as is the ability to stay calm and focused in times of high stress and multiple competing demands on their time.