Syria: Livelihoods Programme Manager

Sep 10, 2017 | Concern Worldwide
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Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organisation dedicated to tackling poverty and suffering in the world’s poorest countries. Concern works in partnership with the very poorest people in these countries, directly enabling them to improve their lives, as well as using our knowledge and experience to influence decisions made at a local, national and international level that can significantly reduce extreme poverty. In 2015, we positively impacted the lives of 22.5 million people.

The Strengthening Resilience of Afghanistan’s Vulnerable Communities Against Disasters (SRACAD) started in March 2015 and was expanded in 2016 under the ‘Replication Expansion and Deepening (READ)’ initiative. Funded by DFID, SRACAD is led by a consortium of five organisations under the Afghanistan Resilience Consortium (ARC). The vision of the programme is for Afghanistan’s vulnerable communities to be able to cope and bounce back from natural disasters and climate change. Concern’s total budget of the 4 year programme is £3.1 million.

About the role:

This is a 1 year, new role with unaccompanied terms based in Syria, with a salary of Band 3 €34,106- €37,895.

You will report to Syria Programmes Director and directly manage staff delivering the livelihoods components of programmes, including Concern’s membership of the People In Need (PIN) led DfID consortium programme. You will liaise with Programme Coordinators, MEAL Manager, District Coordinators, Country Financial Controller and programme partners. You will also represent Concern in consultation with Programme Director to Clusters, Coordination Fora and NGOs.

We would like you to start on as soon as possible.

Your purpose:

You will provide management and technical oversight of Concern’s Livelihoods programme activities in Syria including, cash-for-work, agriculture, livestock and vocational and technical training activities. You will also contribute in Concern’s multi-sectoral emergency response in Syria through

You will be responsible for:

Programme Planning, Management and Development:

Provide technical and management oversight and supervision of assigned livelihoods activities.
Ensure that all programme targets are reached in accordance with agreed programme objectives, as per contracts with donors, in line with the overall programme approach, ensuring integration with other programme activities, and in line with Concern’s approaches and policies, and international best practices;.
Ensure that all resources (technical, financial, HR) are in place to implement the different projects of the livelihoods programme in accordance with the work plans and realistic timeframes and milestones agreed with contractors, partners and donors.
Prepare technical documents such as tenders, BoQs, procurement and oversee material and equipment purchases and delivery as necessary ensuring that Concerns’ and donors’ policies and procedures are applied and followed.
Oversee the work of selected contractors and partners ensuring implementation of activities of the highest quality and are in accordance to agreed designs, policies and procedures and timelines.
Ensure the preparation of detailed implementation work plans and provide the necessary guidance and support to the team to achieve timely and quality implementation of activities.
Carry out regular field visits to inspect works and organize regular project review sessions through participatory methodologies involving beneficiaries and other stakeholders in the areas of intervention, with the aim of establishing and/or verifying emerging needs, gaps and priorities, and communicate these to the Programmes Director as part of a continuous programme review and improvement process.
Monitor project activities to ensure the quality and capture the impact of project activities, while making necessary adjustments to project activities and work plans if necessary in a timely manner.
Monitor the changing security situation, with support from Concern security focal point, and adapt programme activities accordingly.
Contribute to the preparation of livelihoods budgets, funding concept notes and proposals for both grants and contracts through analysis of field data and actual costs incurred on activity implementation, under the strategic guidance of the Programmes Director. This includes background research, stakeholder analysis, data collection and analysis, consultation processes, development of narrative, development of budget and production all associated documents to a high standard in accordance with donor requirements.
Monitor and manage relevant programme expenditure and budgets, ensuring resources are optimally utilised and spending is in line with Concern financial procedures and Donor requirements.
Ensure that internal and external reports are produced to a high standard and in a timely manner.
Contribute to all aspects of the Programme e.g. integration of equality, protection, and disaster risk reduction and ensure programmes are implemented in line with the How Concern Understands Extreme Policy paper.

Human Resources Manager and Capacity Building

Train Concern and key partner staff in donor requirements and compliance rules under specific contracts, in collaboration with Concern Finance and Systems Managers;
Lead and manage staff, contributing to their capacity building and career development.
Provide technical support and on-going on-the-job training and coaching to staff
Ensure efficient team deployment through a system of up-to-date job descriptions developed in line with Concern organizational structure. Regularly review and recommend staffing structure reviews to the Programmes Director.
Ensure that all staff is aware of and comply with Concern’s policies and procedures.
Monitor and review performance of staff line managed through Concern’s Performance Development Reviews system (PDR’s) and hold staff accountable for meeting the success criteria.

Accountability

Participate in the design and implementation of accountability and quality initiatives ensuring that they are integrated into the programmes.
Adhere to and promote accountability, and ensure compliance with the requirements of Concern’s Programme Participants Protection Policy, Anti-Fraud Policy and Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) to ensure maximum protection of programme participants and the efficient and transparent use of Concern’s resources.
Undertake other related duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Country Director and/or the Programmes Director.

General

Collaborate on advocacy work through provision of sound, reliable and evidence-based information based on thorough research.
Provide all necessary documentation support to the Senior Management Team (SMT) including visibility material and programme brochures which promote Concern’s work.
Any other tasks mutually agreed with the Programmes Director and /or the CD.

Your skills and experience will include:

Essential:

This position demands a highly organised and dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding environment.

Degree level education in development or livelihoods related discipline.
Minimum 3 years food security and livelihoods experience including at least 2 years at management level.
Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) techniques and a good grasp of project cycle management.
Experience working collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders including local authorities, partners, and other I/NGOs.
Thorough understanding of budgetary, HR and procurement processes.
Very strong English writing and verbal communication skills.
Good team player, flexible and politically and culturally sensitive.
Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office.

We would also like:

Ability to speak, read and write Arabic is an asset.
Previous work experience in response to the Syrian crisis.
Affinity with organisational values, mission and vision, commitment to humanitarian principles.
Familiar with UN coordination mechanisms (cluster approach).

We also value the following special skills and aptitudes:

Proven ability to work in insecure environments.
Ability to demonstrate initiative.
High level of critical thinking and problem solving abilities.

All candidates who are short-listed for a first round interview will be notified via email after the application deadline.