Program Manager

Organization Summary    

RTI International is an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition.  Our staff of nearly 6,000 works in more than 75 countries—tackling hundreds of projects each year to address complex social and scientific challenges on behalf of governments, businesses, foundations, universities, and other clients and partners. Through independent research and science-based programs, we are making positive impacts on people and communities around the world. Our diverse team embraces challenges in an inclusive atmosphere that values work-life balance and creates global opportunities for career development. If you’re looking for a dynamic workplace culture, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities to grow, join our team and discover the RTI Difference.    

Division Summary 

RTI International is supporting education development around the world by strengthening education policy, management and practice to achieve measurable improvement in teaching and learning. From our well-established reputation in education system strengthening, to innovative work in early grade assessment and learning, RTI is improving education quality, relevance and efficiency through implementation of projects funded by USAID, FCDO and other donors and clients.      

Project Summary 

USAID/Lebanon has recently awarded RTI a $97 million USD, five-year Cooperative Agreement to build on nearly a decade of investments in the education system under Quality Instruction Towards Access and Basic Education (QITABI) 1 and 2. The purpose of QITABI 3 is to further strengthen education service government systems to yield student learning improvements across all of Lebanon’s public schools (first and second shifts) and in select low cost private schools that are vulnerable and economically disadvantaged. The activity will target an estimated 350,000 girls and boys in over a thousand of Lebanon’s public schools and vulnerable, economically disadvantaged low-cost private schools and will support the education system’s overall capacity to plan, budget, deliver, monitor, evaluate and institutionalize quality educational services by providing in-depth technical assistance to the Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD) and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE) 

Position Description 

RTI is seeking a Program Manager for Career Guidance in Lebanon. The Program Manager will be responsible for coordinating, overlooking and ensuring day to day smooth implementation of program activities and adherence to logistics and administration at the central and regional level.  

Place of work: Beirut, Lebanon 
Supervisor: Chief of Party  

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities will include but are not limited to:  

• Manage the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), Life Skills, and Youth Programs program overseeing planning and implementation. 
• Ensure project deliverables meet timelines, budget constraints, and quality standards.
• Manage coordination and communication among specialists, partners, and stakeholders for program alignment and synergy.
• Conduct orientation sessions to align the team with project objectives and activities.
• Develop strategic partnerships with government bodies and other stakeholders.
• Manage knowledge and ensure adherence to frameworks, maintaining documentation appropriately.
• Implement and monitor adaptive management initiatives for successful project outcomes.
• Provide administrative support, prepare presentation materials for project-related meetings.
• Address challenges and risks over the program life cycle, taking corrective measures.
• Coordinate interventions and their interdependencies among various project activities.
• Facilitate training roll-out, including materials development and quality assurance in regions.
• Coordinate with CERD and MEHE regional centers/offices, and project counterparts for activity implementation.
• Supervise field data collection/data entry, ensuring quality and circulation for analysis, decision making and adaptive decision making.
• Monitor the impact of field interventions, promote learning through documentation of best practices.
• Coordinate regularly with partners to align implementation of field activities.
• Conduct field visits as necessary to monitor program implementation.
• Represent the program team at meetings and conferences as needed.
• Participate in preparing reports for communication and knowledge management, perform additional tasks as needed.
• Develop detailed work plans with clearly defined activities and specific results-based ensuring quality, timely delivery within scope and budget.  

Qualifications: 

Required Skills and Qualifications:  

• Master’s degree in education, Life skills/career guidance, community engagement or other related fields. 
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the design, management of similar education, and/or  development programs.
• Strong knowledge of the Lebanese context and public and private schools.
• Experience in a similar setting (e.g., working with students, job seekers, community engagement) is particularly relevant. 
• Excellent Knowledge of performance evaluation and change management principles
• Strategic and adaptive approach to decision-making and leadership, and team management.
• Proven experience and technical ability to manage a large project.
• Experience in coordinating/conducting trainings and facilitating workshops and discussion groups. 
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills that evoke trust and cultural sensitivity.
• Experience in working with diverse groups of participants, including youth and individuals from marginalized communities. 
• Arabic and English fluency required (spoken and written), French fluency is preferred. 
• Ability to work on multiple tasks, proactive, and flexible based on project demands.
• Computer literate and able to conduct online trainings if required.
• Should have a successful record of working with local authorities and community groups in a multi-stakeholder environment.

PLEASE NOTE : as part of the interview process, a writing sample will be requested from the finalist.  

Working Conditions: 
Work environment: Field-based with logistics and reporting done at the QITABI3 offices

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