Education Project Manager

 The Project Manager will be responsible for providing overall leadership management and general technical direction of the project, ensuring an integrated vision among different components and a focus on achieving the results defined in the contract.

He/she will supervise project dedicated team (one project coordinator and two community engagement officers) and coordinate with the technical, operations and MEAL departments in order to establish an effective monitoring system, to harmonize tools/methodologies in all the project areas, to set up standard operational procedures and to ensure correct allocation of all the necessary resources.

Beside those main tasks, specific tasks related to the position will be:

Planning and managing the project’s resources

1. General coordination of the intervention: development and implementation and monitoring of the work plan in close collaboration with the project coordinator. Proposing updates and amendments as needed.
2. Design activity overall, quarterly and monthly plans, supervise their implementation and propose updates and amendments as needed either in relation to direct or indirect implementation;
3. Personally participate in regular field monitoring visits and supervise the proper monitoring of project impact, assessing the effectiveness of each activity in relation to expected outcomes;
4. Supporting project staff and school directors in activities’ implementation and problem-solving.
5. Support the schools and the project staff in the analysis of logistics and financial needs for the delivery of services;
6. Work closely with AVSI senior staff, education specialist and child protection specialist, to ensure quality in the program implementation.  Supporting the technical teams especially for the planning and integration of CP principles and standards in the project, and develop and effective inclusive approach.
7. Work closely with the community engagement and accountability staff in AVSI, to develop a solid community engagement and registration processes at school level.
8. Supporting the education specialist in coordinating with the technical entity involved in the Dirasa program to ensure quality activities at the school level and the adequate performance of school staff appointed by AVSI.
9. Ensure a continuous collaboration with the thematic sectors/ clusters (EDU, CP) and focal points appointed;
10. Budget management with regular budget forecast in coordination with the Operations and Finance department;
11. Correctly implement the Donor’s and AVSI administrative and financial procedures ensuring compliance with the support of AVSI Operations;
12. Prepare and share all necessary PCM documents required to obtain official approvals on the project implementation, upon clearance from the HoP.
13. Support project staff and schools in activities’ implementation and problem-solving;
14. In coordination with the HR department:

• Support the development and human and professional growth of staff,
• Make sure the HR policies are correctly shared implemented and refreshed,
• Support the recruitment process of project staff if needed,
• Participate in the HR planning and appraisal system,
• Facilitate the organization/implementation of trainings organized by AVSI, WGs, donors, Ministries, etc. for the staff.

Monitoring, reporting and communicating

1. Keep UNICEF focal points informed about project updates, progress, challenges, lessons learnt, suggestions, recommendations and success.
2. Contribute to the overall process of coordination, harmonization and learning and promoting sharing of good practices and lessons learnt with the entire program team;
3. Implement the Program’s monitoring & evaluation system in collaboration with the MEAL department;
4. Ensure accountability standards towards beneficiaries and stakeholders are met, in line with AVSI Accountability SOPs;
5. Draft and get approval of the interim narrative and financial reports as requested by the donor (interim and final) and AVSI management;
6. Provide regular reporting to Program and Operations;
7. Monitoring the implementation of work plans directly, through regular visits to project sites of activities: He/She will conduct regular follow up and monitoring for the activities in schools.
8. Ensure timely correct reporting to Sector or Interagency in collaboration with the MEAL department;
9. Collaboration with the Communication Department with regular updates and documentation (written, photographic, video etc.).

Coordination  

Act as liaison to the donor, in coordination with the Head of Programs, formally regularly and accurately reports to the HoP and the CR;

Support AVSI to maintaining and developing the relationship with the Donor, including:

• Attending/organising and facilitating field visits,
• Providing information and documentation to the Donor when requested,
• Coordinating with actors operating in the target areas,
• Participating to the donors’ coordination mechanisms providing positive inputs,

Participate in relevant regional and national coordination mechanisms in Education and other related sectors. Facilitate information sharing about the project good practices and achievements with the sectors.

Facilitate the effective exchange of data and information within the Program Department and, where applicable, with other departments;

In coordination with the HoP and the CR, maintain good coordination mechanisms with the schools

Under the guidance of the CR and HoPs, represent and liaise with authorities, local organizations and UN agencies;

Promoting synergies and coordination with other UNICEF funded actions; being strictly in line with the donor strategy

1. Calling for and leading regular project meetings and sharing the minutes;
2. Participating in the:
   • AVSI Coordination Management meeting
   • Project progress meeting
   • Project staff training with other AVSI staff

Establish synergies with other AVSI’s project in the same areas of implementation.

Other

1. Contribute to the development of the Education department strategy at AVSI Lebanon.
2. Contribute in identifying needs on the field and proposed interventions; participate in need assessments  
3. Participate in the development of new proposals in response to specific or unsolicited funding opportunities and act as main writer or coordinator when needed;
4. Convey relevant information from senior management to program staff in order to keep them informed and engaged in strategic direction.