Programs Coordinator

BACKGROUND:

Women Now for Development is a feminist, women-lead non-governmental organization dedicated to deepening and strengthening women’s role in Syrian and Lebanese communities by enhancing their social, economic and cultural participation. Women Now was established in June 2012 by in response to the conflict in Syria and ensuing humanitarian crisis. Today, we implement programs in two Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) in Bekaa, Lebanon, reaching thousands of women and girls annually. We work in four integrated programmatic areas:

•           Protection - Psychosocial support.

•           Empowerment - Education and Vocational Skills training.

•           Participation - Leadership training and Rights Awareness.

•           Advocacy and Campaigning - at the local and international level.

At Women Now we work from the ground up, to empower ourselves, and the community around us in order to bring about significant, long-term change.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The Programme Coordinator will be crucial member of the Women Now for Development team in Bekaa, Lebanon. She/he will manage the implementation/coordination of projects under different programs.

The Programme Coordinator will have broad knowledge of project cycle management and the confidence and experience to apply that knowledge in a challenging context. The successful candidate will have the interpersonal skills to coordinate with colleagues from different backgrounds, and build professional and positive relationships with other local CSOs, INGOs and governmental donors, as well as women and girls who receive our services.

The Programme Coordinator will be motivated to enhance the quality of our programming and reporting. This is an exciting role for someone who is passionate about gender equality and who wants to broaden their experience in a range of areas, working for a leading feminist, women’s rights-based organization.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Programs Manager, the Programme Coordinator will work to complete the following tasks:

•           Manage project implementation throughout project cycles.

•           Coordinating trainers and other implementing staff to ensure that programs are implemented according to work plans and targets set in log frames. Daily onsite follow-up with implementing staff to support, guide and problem-solve and setting weekly plans.

•           Identifying and reporting any issues that arise to the Program Director. These may include for example, changes in need or context, challenges to implementation, budgetary issues, or barriers to access to our services. Suggest and manage amendments to programs when necessary to meet project outputs.

•           Ensuring programmatic complaints and suggestions are reported to the Program Director and where appropriate addressed through programme modifications.

•           Reviewing and assessing the quality of training curricula and working with technical staff, trainers, and consultants to develop training materials.

•           Working with the HR team to recruit project staff as necessary and work with the Center Manager to monitor performance.

•           Supporting MEAL department in development of log frame and MEAL plan, and MEAL tools including needs assessments, and ensuring sufficient data is collected in order to report on set outputs, outcomes and longer-term impact.

•           Working with the Finance team to develop activity budgets.

•           Conducting spending monitoring and finding programmatic solutions to significant over or underspends.

•           Narrative report writing, including written analysis of the impact of programs, challenges faced, solutions implemented, lessons learnt etc.

•           Attending meetings with partner organizations and donors as required and representing Women Now and the programs in a professional and positive manner.

•           Conducting a number of trainings for participants and staff.

•           Participating in trainings as required and actively disseminating knowledge to colleagues within the organization for example by delivering presentations.

•           Helping to ensure that Safeguarding standards are upheld throughout the projects, and reporting any concerns to the Country Director.

•           Keeping abreast of international standards in Protection, Child-friendly spaces, PSEA etc.

•           Conducting research as required.

•           Other ad hoc tasks as required.

^{Safeguarding Requirement:}

• Integrate safeguarding principles and protocols into all project activities and interactions.
• Promote a safe and inclusive environment that respects the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly vulnerable populations.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to safeguarding concerns or incidents, following established protocols and procedures.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience:

1.         Bachelor’s degree in project management, gender studies, human rights, political science, international law or another relevant subject.

2.         4 years’ experience working in either Rights-based NGOs, or Humanitarian NGOs.

3.         Experience of working on programs specifically for women and/or adolescent girls.

4.         Knowledge/experience of programmatic areas: Protection, Adult Education, Vocational Training, and Economic Empowerment/Livelihoods.

5.         Experience of project cycle management:

a.         Needs assessment and needs monitoring

b.         Project planning and development including target setting

c.         Budget planning

d.         Managing implementation according to targets and the workplan

e.         Spending monitoring

f.          Drafting narrative reports

g.         Monitoring and evaluation

6.         Experience of event management – organizing workshops, conferences, roundtables.

7.         Experience of coordinating a team and ability to foster a sense of community amongst team members.

8.         Experience of professional networking – fostering relationships with existing and potential partner organizations (both local organizations and donors).

9.         Experience of delivering trainings to a group.

10.       Experience in working on programs specifically for women and girls and sophisticated understanding of gender mainstreaming.

11.       Excellent understanding of context in Beqaa, Lebanon, specifically issues facing Syrian refugees and the host community.

12.       Experience in activism particularly related to women’s rights or human rights more broadly.

13.       Understanding of safeguarding and child protection, accountability to affected populations and the Core Humanitarian Standard, donor requirements, budgeting and financial constraints, due diligence procedure.

Skills:

•           Strategic thinking and forward planning.

•           Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: ability to build and maintain professional and positive relations with: trainers, colleagues, participants, partners and donors.

•           Excellent problem-solving skills: the ability to anticipate, pre-empt and solve problems (risk mitigation).

•           Excellent organizational skills and good follow-through.

•           Proficient in Microsoft Office suite of software (especially Word, Excel, and Powerpoint).

Language Skills:

•           Excellent knowledge of Arabic and English is essential.

Personal Qualities:

•           Keen interest in Women now’s values and strong motivation in putting them into practice.

•           Team spirit. – cooperative, professional and committed.

•           Shows initiative and the desire to learn and grow.

•           Analytical, thorough and attentive to detail.