Programmes Manager - Social stability, dialogue & WPS Lebanon

Job Purpose

Overview of the Role

The post holder will be responsible for managing and overseeing the coordination of social stability projects in Alert’s peacebuilding portfolio, specifically a new project funded by RDPP on “Strengthening local capacities for social stability in Tripoli and Bekaa” including dialogue based work in Bekaa and conflict sensitivity advisory projects. The post holder would be responsible for ensuring the quality and timely delivery of the project, effective administrative and financial management of project and reporting. The role will include supervision of Senior Project Officer(s) and Consultants.

This role also plays a key part in developing new projects and partnerships on social stability, including with local, national and international stakeholders working on social stability in Lebanon. The role also involves maintaining existing partnerships and actively lead key phases of ongoing programmes. S/he is responsible for identifying fundraising initiatives an in supporting the Country Director, Fundraising Colleagues and the Lebanon Team more generally in developing fundraising opportunities.

In close coordination with the Finance and Administrative Department and colleagues, the postholder will be responsible for the effective, efficient and quality financial management and reporting of the “Strengthening local capacities” project in line with International Alert and Donor financial and procurement policies. This includes supporting partners in their financial reporting.

The postholder will play a central role in advancing Alert Lebanon’s strategic priorities on social stability and growing spaces for women and youth-led dialogue networks in the country.

Finally, the post holder will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to Alert’s values and ethics, key peacebuilding, Do No Harm and conflict sensitivity principals as well a safeguarding best practice and policies.

About the Project

The Project implemented by International Alert, Basmeh & Zeitooneh and House of Peace therefore includes two main elements:

a) Strengthening the capacities of active local organisations working on protection, education and livelihoods to integrate social stability into their work and pilot community initiatives, and

b) Strengthening capacities and supporting youth and women led local committees and dialogue groups to implement initiatives in the community, which respond to locally identified needs and create opportunities for interaction and collaboration.

In addition to programme management, in coordination with the Country Director, the post holder will play a central role developing and driving Lebanon’s Country Strategy and Programme Development, particularly in relations to social stability and dialogue.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Programmes and Projects Management

• Responsible for overall effective, efficient and quality management, implementation, and coordination of the “Strengthening local capacities for social stability in Tripoli and Bekaa” project and other social stability, peacebuilding and dialogue projects;
• Oversee our work supporting youth and women’s led dialogue networks, including with the framework of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda, and the WPS National Action Plan in Lebanon;
• Ensure timely and quality project reporting (narrative and financial) including from project partners;
• Oversee the regular training sessions and awareneness raising community initiatives through coordinating with all project participants in coordination with other Alert technical staff;
• Review and keep up to date a detailed action plan and budget forecast and ensure activities are implemented in accordance with the agreed plans and budget (including developing and reviewing spending plans);
• Ensure the effective recording, documentation, and filing of project activities, internal and external project meetings.

2. Country Strategy and Programmes Development

• Work with the Country Director to develop aspects of the Country Strategy, in particular on social cohesion, dialogue and WPS issues;
• Develop and grow our work supporting youth and women’s led dialogue networks with in the Youth Peace and Security and WPS frameworks;
• Lead on new project design and developing new social stability and dialogue project proposals in coordination with the Country Director,
• Identify development and fundraising opportunities for Alert’s social stability, dialogue and WPS work.

3. Partnerships Management and Liaison

• Maintain and build new relationships with key partners and stakeholders (donors, governmental, CSO, community leaders etc.);
• Maintain positive relationships and regularly update relevant authorities and local actors;
• In coordination with the Country Director and Senior Peacebuilding Advisor, attend and provide information to inform Alert’s inputs into discussions and working groups on social stability.

4. Project design monitoring, evaluation, and communicating learning

• Together with the DMEL Manager, review monitoring and evaluation systems at a Country Programme level and project MEL plans, and ensure a focus on impact and quality is maintained and that monitoring data is collected as planned;
• Monitor projects progress and impact and adjust indicators and activities if necessary;

Oversee management of baseline assessments and project evaluations, with technical advice and leadership of the DMEL Manager, ensuring appropriate management responses if necessary;

• Work closely with the Country Director and Communications and Advocacy team (in-country and at London HQ) to ensure proper and context-suitable visibility of projects and to develop and implement project and programme based Communications and Advocacy Plans, in line with Alert as well as donor protocols.
• Disseminate learning from programmes and findings of research, evaluations and ongoing monitoring internally and externally.

5. Office management

• Ensure the efficient running of the Beirut office and a collegial work environment;
• Deputise for Country Director in some administrative and signatory functions, as required;
• Working closely with the Finance and Operations Manager to ensure that we comply with the organisation’s policies and procedures, in respect with the Lebanese Labor Law;
• Liaise with the Finance and Operations Manager to ensure compliance with donor regulations and guidelines.

6. Contribute to Alert strategies

• Contribute to team-wide communications and knowledge management, and participate in organisation-wide events and discussions on related topics/projects;
• Represent Alert’s values and ideas and be a spokesperson for the organisation at relevant conferences, seminars and other meetings;
• Contribute to organisation -wide learning and exchange on the use of monitoring and evaluation as a tool for achieving greater impact; and on accompanying national NGOs as a tool to strengthening their peacebuilding capacity;
• Any other tasks as may be reasonably required.

Travel requirements

This post is based in Beirut, Lebanon, with frequent travel to the regions.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Talents

At Alert, we have introduced Talent Management to our business model as we believe talented people are crucial to the success of our work.  We believe all individuals are talented and success comes in matching the right talents to the right roles. For this role, the skills, qualifications and experience listed below are important, but we believe that to be great in this job you are likely, first and foremost, to have a talent for communicating with men and women with diverse backgrounds, and strive to reach understanding and build consensus. 

This is what we will be looking for above all else.

A degree- Master’s level, in a subject of relevance to international peacebuilding

Experience in managing community dialogue and post-conflict reconciliation based projects.

Good knowledge and understanding of gender issues, the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, and its National Action Plan in Lebanon.

Fluent in Arabic and English, and communicates clearly and effectively.

At least 6 years successful experience of implementing or coordinating projects; field experience, including working directly with stakeholders in the regions, is mandatory

Knowledge of Lebanese politics and its history and understanding of the impact of the financial and economic crisis on the peacebuilding space in Lebanon as well as impact of the Syria crisis on Lebanon

Excellent inter-personal, communication and presentation skills

Proven people management skills

Proven financial management skills

Ability to influence and motivate others

A team player

Demonstrates the ability to take initiative and work pro-actively with remote management

Commitment to the mission and vision of International Alert

Ability to work well with people of diverse backgrounds and in diverse roles

Solution-oriented, problem-solver.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge and experience in the peacebuilding sector.

Dialogue and practical conflict management experience a strong plus.

SUMMARY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Annual Salary

Competitive annual salary based on our salary scale for Lebanese nationals

Benefits

Private insurance and NSSF

Leave entitlement

25 days per year plus Lebanese statutory holidays

Notice period

One month on either side

Working hours

Full time staff are expected to work a standard 35 hours/week, with some flexibility around start and finish times to be agreed with the line manager. All staff are required to work core hours 10am – 4pm.