LEAD LOCAL COORDINATOR

Reporting to Project Manager
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Reporting Manager: Programme Manager
Duration: 5 months, 3 days per month, starting November 2020.

MAGENTA is pleased to announce that they have availability for a lead local coordinator position to support the implementation of two programmes in Lebanon: a strategic communications project in Bouhayra, Lebanon and a positive caregiving programme. The position will start in November 2020 and last for five months.

MAGENTA is a social and behavioural change research and communications agency, established by a multi-cultural team of development, research and behavioural change communications experts. We aim to make a positive impact to the way governments, institutional donors and development agencies achieve their policy and programme objectives. We combine the latest in behavioural science principles with a rigorous approach to strategy, campaign design and implementation. We help our partners to be more efficient, achieve scale and sustainability, and positive, long-lasting social change.

BACKGROUNDs AND CONTEXTS

Strategic Communications Project

The rapid spread of COVID-19 has had numerous negative effects on the region including Lebanon. The spread of the disease has contributed to the exacerbation of economic and social conditions in Lebanon which have already been put under a lot of pressure over the course of the past year. However, while effects of COVID-19 may have been largely negative, we seek to use it as an opportunity to address local social cohesion issues in two Lebanese communities.

MAGENTA is rolling out a strategic communications programme which aims to reduce drivers of tensions amongst and between Lebanese communities, refugees and local government through fostering dialogue and peacebuilding mechanisms such as mediation and dispute resolution, and providing rapid stabilisation response, particularly in relation to the spread of COVID-19.

MAGENTA is implementing the project in two locations in Lebanon: Minnieh and Bouhayra Unions of Municipalities (UoMs) to support them by aiming at:

• Improving perception of local government
• Supporting trust-building between local government and their citizens
• Encouraging the adoption of positive COVID-19 behaviours, and practices.

Responsibilities

MAGENTA is looking to hire a Local Coordinator who will support with the project implementation in Bouhayra and Minnieh. The Local Coordinator will be expected to support MAGENTA for the conclusion of the project, 5 months. The Local Coordinator will report directly to MAGENTA’s Programme Manager. Additionally, the Lead Local Coordinator will support and provide guidance to the Local Coordinator operating in Minnieh. The Local Coordinator will be responsible for the following tasks:

Coordination and reporting:

• o Contribute to programme reporting on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
• o Provide locally grounded insights from host communities, refugee populations, community leaders and other key stakeholders to the project.
• o Support with translation and transcription: Arabic / English, when necessary.
• o Provide guidance and mentorship to the Local Coordinator operating out of Minnieh.
• o Support with workshop logistics when needed.

Communications Strategy Implementation:

• o Provide regular guidance and support to the UoMs in the design and implementation of the various communication strategy activities.
• o Liaise with local community-based organisation in Bouhayra and Minnieh and ensure successful implementation of the strategic components.
• o Provide support and guidance to stakeholders throughout the strategy implementation process.
• o Identify and liaise with creative partners to ensure timely and quality delivery of communications products.
• o Coordinate with other local and national actors on communications materials and activities.

Capacity Development (communications and social media)

• o Support the development of a capacity-building plan for municipality and UoM actors throughout the project.
• o Provide on-the-job coaching and contributes to capacity-building workshops.
• o Develop training/capacity building materials (incl. pre- and post-test trainings).
• o Conduct trainings/ workshops aiming to build capacity of UoM representatives and partners as necessitated by the strategy.

Content development

• o Coordinate with creative vendors to ensure timely deliverables.
• o Develop creative briefs for vendors.
• o Identify creative partners for content development.

Monitoring & Evaluation:

• o Coordinate message testing in Minnieh and Bouhayra.
• o Contribute to regular project monitoring.
• o Coordinate data collection for the end line assessment conducted at the end of the project.

Requirements & Competencies

• Ideally based in Bouhayra UoM. Possibility of being based in Beirut with the expectation of travel to each Bouhayra and Minnieh once or twice per month;
• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, International Development, or equivalent;
• Written and spoken fluency in English and Arabic;
• Ability to travel to Bouhayra and Minnieh on a monthly basis, or as required by the programme activities;
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working as a Programme Officer, or equivalent, on a humanitarian or development programme in Lebanon
• Experience in capacity building and training
• Experience with creative design of social media, digital content, animations and scripting
• Experience working with creative partners in Lebanon
• Good understanding of social media software
• Experience conducting research
• Excellent communications skills
• Excellent coordination skills
• Excellent organisation, logistics and time management skills

Working Conditions:

Some long hours including evening and weekends to complete tasks or attend events