Post of Program Manager

Republic of Lebanon

Ministry of Social Affairs

National Poverty Targeting Program Project

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Program Manager

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

1. Background

Prior to the onset of the Syrian conflict and the inflow of large numbers of Syrian refugees, poverty in Lebanon was significant and regional disparities in living conditions were acute. The most recently completed Household Budget Survey (HBS 2011-12) shows that poverty in Lebanon was 27 percent (pre-Syrian crisis), which implies that about one million people had levels of consumption below the annual poverty line set at 4,729 thousand LBP per capita per year (US$3,150). Poverty is the lowest in Beirut (16%), followed by Mount Lebanon (22%) and Nabatieh (25%). The poorest regions are North Lebanon (36%) and the Bekaa (38%).

The Syrian conflict is estimated to have increased poverty among the Lebanese population, pushing an additional 170,000 people into poverty in 2014 and making those already poor even poorer.[1] Indeed, according to the 2015-16 Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP), the total vulnerable population in Lebanon today is approximately 3.3 million, of which 1.5 million Lebanese, 1.5 million Syrian refugees and 300,000 Palestinian refugees.

With this in mind, in 2011, the Government of Lebanon (GoL) launched the National Poverty Targeting Program (NPTP), which seeks to identify and provide poor targeted Lebanese households social assistance that includes both health and education subsidies. In 2014, in response to rising poverty levels in communities hosting refugees and in order to help mitigate tensions between the refugee and Lebanese communities, the GoL, scaled up the NPTP (Emergency NPTP) to cover an increased number of poor Lebanese households, and improve the basket of benefits through the introduction of food assistance via an electronic card (e-card) targeting the poorest Lebanese households. To-date, NPTP benefits 105,000 households (or approximately 420,000 individuals), with the poorest 10,000 households (or approximately 50,000 individuals) benefiting from the e-card food voucher, a component implemented by the World Food Program (WFP). The NPTP has established itself as Lebanon’s main social safety net program, playing a central role for donors, UN agencies, and other ministries in reaching poor and vulnerable host populations affected by the Syrian conflict. The NPTP is managed by the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) and the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.

A recently approved US$10 million grant from the Lebanon Syria Conflict Trust Fund (LSCTF) will enable the GoL to both expand the coverage and further strengthen the services that are currently provided by NPTP. Specifically, through the new grant, the GoL will be able to: (i) provide the e-card food voucher to the 10,000 poorest beneficiary households; and (ii) pilot a “graduation” project (NPTP-G)[2], which will seek to promote increased and sustainable levels of income among some of the poorest NPTP households, in order to improve their overall relative poverty levels. To achieve this objective, NPTP-G will provide self-employment opportunities to male and female members of targeted NPTP households through the delivery of a comprehensive package of services, based on the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP)/Ford Foundation graduation model that has been implemented in over 20 countries with high success.                                                                                                                                  

Specialized agencies will be competitively hired to provide the different NPTP-G services to the targeted NPTP-G households. With regards specifically to Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Field Work coordinators and selected MOSA social workers will benefit from a Training of Trainers (ToT) that will enable them to monitor that NPTP-G activities are carried out effectively and efficiently, as well as to provide life skills/coaching to the selected member of the targeted households.

II.        Objectives of the Assignment

The Ministry of Social Affairs is looking to hire a Project Manager for the NPTP. The Project Manager will manage day-to-day project implementation and overall coordination of project activities, outputs, and outcomes. The Project Manager will work closely with all stakeholders of the project to ensure effective and efficient management of the NPTP. The NPTP Project Manager will be part of the NPTP Project Implementation Unit at MOSA, which together with the NPTP Central Management Unit (CMU) the Fiduciary Operation Team (FOT) at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM), oversees the overall implementation of the NPTP.

III.       Scope of Work

The Project Manager of the NPTP will manage the NPTP team at MOSA, work closely with the NPTP CMU team, and is responsible for the overall implementation of the Project. She/he will be responsible for ensuring the timely preparation of work plans for NPTP-MOSA preparation of consolidated work programs, budgets, quarterly and annual progress report, and for follow-up on the implementation of NPTP overall activities, including those to be supported by the World Food Program (WFP). The Project Manager will liaise closely with the FOT in terms of project reporting, procurement, and financial management, and results monitoring.

The main duties and responsibilities of the Project Manager of the NPTP at MOSA are:

• Design, organize, lead, supervise and coordinate all activities related to the NPTP in MOSA;
• Manage the NPTP MOSA team;
• Establish monthly work plans in coordination with the PCM, and the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA);
• Regular updating of the Project Operations Manual;
• Coordinate closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation officer to oversee progress in achieving objectives of the NPTP and take corrective actions accordingly. In close coordination with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, prepare regular reports documenting implementation status of the Program, and progress towards achieving outputs and outcomes.
• Work in close cooperation with the administration of the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA) to ensure smooth functioning and performance of tasks to be performed by the MOSA Social Development Centers and the social workers;
• Coordinate closely with the NPTP team in the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (PCM) and ensure coherence and synergies in program implementation;
• Coordinate closely with World Bank on project implementation and progress and strategic decisions;
• Represent the NPTP in various fora and with stakeholders and undertake presentations (under the direction of the Minister of Social Affairs),MOSA, as well as other partners and stakeholders as needed;
• Manage day-to-day operations of human resources recruited under the project for the NPTP, undertake regular performance appraisal for staff in MOSA
• Ensure the quality and timely implementation of activities carried out by all consultants, firms, and suppliers contracted for the NPTP; and act as the main counterpart for MOSA consultants and firms in terms of review of reports and deliverables;
• Provide input to the FOT for the updates of the E-NPTP and Additional Financing to the E-NPTP Procurement Plans;
• Liaise closely with the FOT on all aspects of project implementation to ensure adequate reporting and implementation of NPTP.

IV.       Qualifications

Education and Experience

• A graduate degree or equivalent in Economics, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Project Management, or closely related field;
• At least 6 years of experience in project implementation and project management;
• Demonstrated experience working with international organizations, government agencies and non-government associations.

   

  Skills & Abilities

• Proven record in leadership positions that require managing large teams and a wide range of service providers;
• Advanced computer skills using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); Web applications; and database management;
• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills, ability to lead and motivate staff in the implementation of projects in a results-based format;
• Excellent planning and presentation skills, with the ability to carry out results-based management and reporting;
• Strong interpersonal skills and pro-active approach to problem solving;
• Strong writing and editing skills, including the ability to translate academically-oriented ideas into clear, concise, and interesting communications pieces targeting a non-academic audience;
• Ability to function at both policy advisory and project implementation levels;
• Ability to work under pressure and under limited supervision;

• Ability to communicate and coordinate with a wide range of actors such as donors and government officials;
• Commitment to adhere to all MOSA policies and procedures.

Language requirement

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in Arabic and English; French is a plus.

 V. Timing and Reporting

The selected candidate will be hired for an initial duration of one year with a probation period of three months, with the possibility of renewal based on satisfactory performance. Pay will be commensurate with the candidate’s capabilities and experience.

The selected candidate will work under the supervision of the Director General of MOSA, and will submit monthly reports to the Minister of Social Affairs, with supportive documentation for monthly payments.

He/she will provide a timesheet and monthly report along with his/her monthly invoice for payment. The selected candidate will be paid on a monthly basis, provided basic monthly reports and deliverables are in good standing, and he or she is fulfilling the obligations listed in these Terms of Reference.  

He/ She will be based in Beirut, Lebanon. Regular travel within Lebanon is expected.