Country Programmes Officer - Lebanon

General Purpose:

The Country Programmes Officer is responsible for country-level technical assistance and coordination of JRS Lebanon programmes. This includes assisting in the identification new projects and partnerships, leading project proposal development and narrative report writing, contributing to the design and implementation of the overall project work plan (budget, M&E, etc) through regular follow up with program directors and field staff  This position ensures projects are delivered in line with JRS’ mission and donors’ requirements, and supporting the preparation of budgets and financial reports. This position shall report to the JRS Lebanon Country Director.

Main Responsibilities 

I- Coordinate and support JRS programmes at the country level:

1. Lead the development of proposals for JRS Lebanon projects in coordination with key members of the project, country and regional JRS teams and in line with the needs of the affected populations, JRS’ mission and strategic objectives, and donor priorities.
2. Create proposal drafting timelines and play a lead role in organizing proposal kick off meetings with programs, M&E and finance teams. 
3. Ensure project planning and implementation is coherent and adheres to agreed proposals, budgets, and grant agreements.  Update and share with relevant staff the grant summary on a timely basis. 
4. Support the project directors and coordinators to ensure that targets are met and activities are implemented in a timely manner.  This will involve troubleshooting programmatic challenges that arise and identifying new opportunities to enhance the impact of JRS programmes.
5. Keep abreast of changes in the local humanitarian context and the programmes of wider humanitarian partners.
6. Ensure the timely submission of project narrative reports in accordance with JRS and donor requirements, in collaboration with Project Directors and the Regional Programmes Officer.
7. Provide capacity-building support to project teams, as needed, on proposal and report writing skills.

Regularly visit the project sites and work with project staff collaboratively.

II- Work with the country team

1. Support the preparation and review of budgets and financial reports and training on donor financial requirement in coordination with the country finance team
2. Liaise with other members of the country team to ensure close support for project teams.
3. Attend regular team meetings, planning meetings and workshops, as required.
4. Participate in relevant working groups at the national level.

III- M&E Tasks

1. Support the design and implementation of M&E plans in coordination with the Country and Regional M&E Officers and project teams.
2. Follow up on project progress and changing needs on the ground in order to anticipate and present requests for project adaptations.

With support from the regional office, lead in the needs assessments, context analysis, and the evaluation of JRS projects in collaboration with the M&E officers, Regional and International Officers and Country Director

Availability

Undertake any other duties as assigned by the Country Director that are within the ambit of the position.

Qualifications and Skills

• Compassion and strong commitment towards refugees and other displaced people;
• Advanced university degree in a field such as economics, social sciences or another related discipline;
• At least 2 years of practical work experience with donor-funded programmes, particularly with INGOs in a similar setting;
• Integrity and honesty;
• Strong analytical, strategic-thinking and planning skills;
• Strong monitoring and evaluation skills/experience;
• Demonstrated experience and commitment working with marginalised communities;
• Ability and willingness to travel to JRS project sites and adapt to modest living and working conditions;
• Familiarity with templates, procedures, etc. used by institutional donors such as PRM and ECHO;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel and Access;
• Previous working experience with faith base organizations is an asset;
• Excellent oral and written English;

Good oral and written Arabic is desirable.