Project Manager

CARE is a leading relief and development non-governmental organization fighting global poverty. Established in 1946, it is now a confederation composed of 14 members. In 2016, CARE worked in 84 countries around the world, supporting development and humanitarian aid projects to reach more than 83 million people. While CARE is a large international organization with more than 11,000 employees worldwide, we have a strong local presence: 95% of our staff are nationals of the countries where our programs are run.

CARE International in Lebanon (CiL) is implementing a four-year (2021 – 2025) Consortium Programme

Funded by Agence française de développement (AFD) to support vulnerable farmers and related value chain actors in cereals, wheat and vegetables in Bekaa and Akkar regions. The Bolstering Agriculture Systems’ Ability to Invest, Nourish, and Employ (BASATINE) programme is a Consortium of six NGOs with vast experience in agriculture and market systems development. These NGOs include CARE (as lead), Mercy Corps (MC), Berytech Foundation, Georges N. Frem Foundation (GNFF), Lebanese Organization for Studies and Training (LOST) and Al Majmoua. The Consortium is contributing to the recovery of affected small farms and maintaining employment opportunities of vulnerable populations by providing support to more than 3,500 farm holders.

The main job focus of the PM is to supervise the overall implementation of all project’s components and outputs are delivered on time, on budget, on target or even exceed target and of high quality ensuring impact framework achievements. The PM will ensure the coordination between consortium’ partners, preserve good connection with community, private sector, and other stakeholders.   

Minimum Education Level:

Bachelor degree with five years of experience, or MS degree with three years of experience

 Proven Experience:

•  At least 5 years of experience as a project manager or team leader  in an international NGO, preferably in management  of Food Security and Livelihoods, food systems or Entrepreneurship projects

• Experience in management of multi-component programs implemented in consortium; experience in consortium coordination is a strong requirement

• Excellent skills and experience working in a range of economic empowerment and/or local economic development programs including public-private partnerships; women’s economic empowerment opportunities; micro and small business start-ups; microfinance; agriculture projects,

Competencies:

Strong capacities in project cycle management and budget follow-up.

Strong capacity to coordinate with a team, coalition and consortium.

Outstanding skills in establishing partnerships and strengthening capacity of local partners with private sector actors and players, as well as with Local Communities and Local & National CSO.

Excellent capacity to supervise, staff local partner organizations in a mutual relationship and provide information in a timely manner to CARE’s international partners and senior management.

Strong understanding of the needs and challenges of the Agriculture, SME Sector

Familiarity with the Lebanese economy, market, Labor Market and Social Entrepreneurship.

Very good communication, coordination and relationship building, diplomacy skills but firm on producing results.

Integrity, fairness and impartiality.

Ability to manage sensitive cases and confidential information.

Ability to work under pressure

Desirable

Knowledge of the main Lebanese economic sector, Business environment and common practices in Lebanon, and of international guidelines.

Demonstrable experience in engaging with private sector and micro enterprises (Knowledge and Technology Transfer as well as access to finance)   

Experience in managing large grants from institutional donors e.g. AFD, USAID, UKAID, EU

Knowledge of the socio-economic circumstances in Lebanon  

Detailed Responsibilities and Tasks:

Responsibility #1: Project Implementation

Ensure project cycle management as detailed below:

Ensure the overall project elaboration phase as per donor agreement, CARE guidelines, and agreed implementation strategy.

Develop, update and follow up a detailed work plan, in line with donor agreement and COP guidance  

Develop steps and procedures in the planning and implementation of the project

Monitor, evaluate and suggest changes and improvements in programme and materials based on observations and discussions with stakeholders

Elaborate budget spending and forecast including tracking and managing partners’ spending.

Ensure procurement plan are timely placed and communicated to the procurement department, according to CARE procedures, in coordination with the COP.

Ensure proper documentation, tracking and filing of all project’s activities in line with project objectives, donor requirements, CARE compliance rules and implementation strategy.

Develop, in conjunction with the COP, a strong approach for a better community mobilization and participation (Through local stakeholders as well as with Right Holders/or local population) to improve the access to livelihoods.

Responsibility #2: Project Team & partnership Management

Line Manage the project team members and ensure performance is in line with project, CARE’s, and donor’s expectations and requirements  

Monitor and Coordinate implementing partners performance

Participate in grant review meetings ensuring partner NGOs are compliant with donor regulations and are on track with spending.

Make sure all project team members have clear job descriptions and their job performances are evaluated accordingly.

Identify learning and training opportunities for CARE project team.

Responsibility #3 : Representation and Coordination

In close collaboration with COP, ensure CARE representation in the relevant technical coordination meetings at the Technical committee’s level.

Support in the organization of field visits by donors, peer agencies, CARE Members, Media, etc.

Coordinate closely with other BASATINE team members to ensure synergies.

Work closely with admin, logistics, procurement, and HR units to ensure the success of the project by initiating relevant planning tools (such as procurement plans) and regular coordination meetings.

In conjunction with the AGRIL specialist and the COP, consolidate CARE’s relation with the main economic and social stakeholders (Chamber of Commerce, Municipalities, Unions of Agriculture, Union of Traders, Union of workers, Grass roots NGOs, Youth and Women Organizations).

Responsibility #4: Reporting & Information sharing

Ensure partner NGOs regularly report to CARE according to established procedures.

Draft narrative and quantitative reports as per CARE internal requirements and donor requirements.

Support in report consolidation with partners.

Ensure internal communication and data sharing on project with relevant departments specifically MEAL, grants, communications, and AGRIL (TWG)

Responsibility #5: Program Quality and Learning

Support Mercy Corps MERLA TWG to ensure program quality activities e.g. project quality meetings, and learning events;

Ensure project data and achievements are updated and reported monthly via GGM.

Support and feed into monitoring and evaluation activities

Ensure partner NGOs regularly report to CARE according to established procedures.

The Project Manager will also have to fulfill any other task as requested by her/his supervisor depending on the programmatic priorities in the Field Office.