Project Manager (Syria Response) – Trócaire hosted by Caritas Lebanon

Basic Salary: $2,500 to $2,800 (USD)**

Trócaire was established in 1973 and is one of Ireland’s top INGOs. The organisation was created in response to the widening gap between rich and poor and our collective duty to reduce it. We are a social justice organisation working in partnership with local development and humanitarian actors, to support people and communities to tackle the root causes of poverty, injustice and violence and to use their own power to create positive and lasting change. This is an exciting time in the history of the organisation as we deliver upon our new strategic plan for 2021 – 2025.

Trócaire launched a response to the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon. In 2013. Our partners provide protection services, resilience building support and basic needs assistance to refugees with an emphasis on women and girls. Our ambition in Lebanon is to protect human dignity during crisis: timely, locally driven responses that are designed in consultation with crisis-affected communities and which meet internationally accepted standards in the humanitarian sector. We commit to ensuring the mainstreaming of protection principles in order to prioritise the safety and dignity of programme participants, meaningful access to assistance and services, and accountability to those we serve. We promote participation and empowerment of those involved, addressing barriers women and girls face and support the development of community and self-protection capacities.

The Project Manager will be expected to provide close support to the Head of Programmes in the coordination and management of ongoing humanitarian programming – a role which requires excellent project management, coordination, planning, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting skills – as well support in the development of new programme opportunities. As Trócaire works in partnership, this role will include accompaniment to local organisations, as well as building strong relationships with partner organisations and other relevant stakeholders, including humanitarian agencies and networks.

The post holder will liaise closely with relevant counterparts from partner organisations, ensuring high levels of programme quality, effective project management and compliance with donor requirements; while at the same time strengthening Trócaire’s capacity to support and mentor partner staff, providing technical/administrative support in every aspect of project management, organising and facilitating trainings for partners and helping partners to identify, prioritise, and address gaps in partner capacity. He/she will also have overall responsibility for supporting partner M&E, including data collection, analysis and reporting.

Please note: this position is only open to national candidates. For the candidate with the required experience and passion for the role, Trócaire offers a competitive package of salary and benefits based on the Trócaire national staff Grading and Salary Structure.

Reporting to the Head of Programmes, this is a Fixed Term contract for SIX MONTHS extendible pending donor funding with potential travel to partner locations.

Programme Development

• Provide the support to partners to undertake analysis (contextual/ risk/ gender etc.) that informs appropriate programme strategies, location, and targeting.
• Work with the Head of Programmes and partners in the design, development of high-quality programmes and projects in line with the country strategy and programme frameworks.

· Ensure that new interventions designed within Trócaire’s Programme Management and Accountability Framework.

• Work with the Head of Programmes, HQ colleagues and partners in the design of high-quality funding proposals for submission to institutional donors.**

Programme Cycle Management:

· Support partners with remote and in person capacity building in project management, including risk assessments, work-planning; implementation and tracking of activities; monitoring, evaluation and learning; and project adaptation.

· Coordinate with Trócaire’s Head of Programmes and Programme Accountant to ensure effective management of project work plans aligned with logical frameworks, implementation and close monitoring of project budgets.

· Conduct remote monitoring of projects and support partner staff in project implementation and build their capacity to effectively implement and monitor the project.

· Review and assess project progress, including through regular partner meetings and follow up.

· Take a lead role in working with partners to ensure programme quality, including provision of technical support on in coordination with the Head of Programmes and HQ Advisors.

· Take a lead role in working with partners to ensure partners are delivering on Trócaire’s integration, women’s empowerment, protection and accountability commitments, including Trócaire’s safeguarding commitments.

· Support partners to comply with both Trócaire and donor requirements, including reporting requirements including ensuring that partners provide timely and quality reports to Trócaire.

· Work with partners to develop new interventions, including provision of technical and practical support on project design and budget development.

· Ensure that interventions are based on sound analysis that informs appropriate project strategies, location and target population.

• Work with the Head of Programmes to design and participate in grant inception, review, and close out meetings.

Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL):

· Work in close coordination with Trócaire’s MEAL Advisor to provide ongoing technical assistance to partners to ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with accepted international humanitarian standards, including those for SPHERE, HAP and protection mainstreaming.

· Work with partner counterparts to develop and implement M&E Plans, report on findings and integrate learning into project activities.

· Ensure that learning regarding programme quality (resulting from M&E and from other sources) is acted upon and incorporated into future programming, through facilitating learning and reflection amongst partners.

· Support partners to ensure that accountability mechanisms are embedded into partner programme, with functioning communication methods and feedback handling mechanisms in place.

Programme Finances & Donor Compliance

· Work with Trócaire’s Programme Accountant to monitor the financial management of partner projects.

· Work with Trócaire’s Programme Accountant and Head of Programmes, to ensure the submission of timely high-quality donor reports and adherence to donor procedures and requirements.

• Ensure that supporting documentation is uploaded on Trócaire’s key IT platforms include Agresso, Salesforce, Box.

Partner Relationships & Capacity Building

· Foster a relationship of accompaniment, close mentoring, and mutual respect with Trócaire’s partner organisations.

· In coordination with the partners and the Head of Programmes, develop capacity building plans for partners and organise (and facilitate as appropriate) remote training and accompaniment in various areas of project management and technical capacities.

Representation, Coordination and Advocacy:

· Represent Trócaire, the work and perspectives of our partners, at relevant cluster and coordination fora.

· Help to build and maintain professional relations with relevant organisations including Caritas, UN working groups, humanitarian organisations as appropriate.

· Ensure close coordination and proactive communication with the Head of Programmes and Trócaire’s wider humanitarian team on all aspects of programming.

· In close coordination with the Head of Programmes and MEAL Advisor, support the translation of data and lessons learnt for the development of case studies that contribute to evidence based advocacy.

Other:

· Fulfil other reasonable duties and responsibilities, as requested by the Head of Programmes.

· Respond to internal Trócaire requirements, such as developing communication materials, as required.

· Contribute to the revision/updating of Trócaire’s Syria Response Strategy.

Person Specification – The ideal person will have

(E) Qualification

· University Degree in Humanitarian or Development Studies, International Relations, Human Rights, Social Work or similar

(E) Experience

· At least 3 years’ experience in the delivery of humanitarian programmes, including experience with remote project management, working in insecure or unpredictable environments.

· Experience in humanitarian relief, protection and PSS, cash and livelihoods is an asset

· Programme cycle management experience, including experience in programme development, results-based management, work planning and other aspects of grant management

· Experience of distance/remote management and monitoring, or of programming in areas where access is limited, is preferred

· Experience in the development and implementing of Institutional Donor Funding (IF)

· Experience working with partners and ability to work through a local partnership model

· Experience working on the Syria Response and/or knowledge of the context

(E) Skills

· Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian issues, particularly those related to the Syria Response

· Knowledge of minimum standards in humanitarian programming, including Sphere, HAP and those for accountability and protection mainstreaming

· Excellent understanding and experience of project/programme cycle management and methods of assessment that prioritise community participation

· Excellent understanding of Monitoring & Evaluation processes, as well as of accountability requirements – both to donors and affected communities

· Good understanding of financial management systems and budget monitoring and reporting

· Excellent analytical, planning, organisational and leadership skills, including ability to show initiative, set priorities, manage work plans and evaluate progress

· Strong communication, facilitation and training skills

· Demonstrated capacity for teamwork and coordination

· Fluency in Arabic and excellent written and oral English

· Ability to support and build capacity of partner organisations

· Highly developed relationship, negotiation and interpersonal skills

· Excellent communication skills, both oral and written to team members and partners

· Able to work independently being a strong team player

· Ability to show initiative and take responsibility

· Strong ability to multi-task and respond to unanticipated requests quickly

· Ability to perform essential functions under stressful and changing conditions and represent the department in a professional manner

· Solid IT and data entry/analysis skills – especially in the use of Excel

(E) Qualities

· Commitment to, and understanding of, Trócaire’s aims, values and principles, including a commitment to principles of partnership, rights-based approaches, social justice and development

· An understanding of accountability to programme participants in humanitarian programming, including requirements around safe programming and a do-no-harm approach

· Diplomacy and negotiation skills, and ability to lead and influence

· Flexibility and adaptability

· Ability to work productively in multi-cultural environments

· Capable of working in challenging, unstable and/or high stress contexts and environments, including volatile crisis situations