Project Assistant - Rehabilitation of Fruit Tree Orchards in Arsal (Applications will only be accepted if submitted online, through the URL link provided. (Kindly do not send emails to [email protected])) (PENDING FUNDING)

Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping build secure, productive and just communities. We do this through:

• Addressing the humanitarian and protection needs resulting from crisis situations for the most vulnerable communities
• Enabling local communities, civil society and government to better prevent and respond to conflict, address needs and deliver sustainable development solutions
• Promoting economic growth and catalysing economic opportunities for vulnerable, under-employed groups in Lebanon

Our programs focus on four sectors:  Economic Opportunities, Governance and Social Stability, Youth and Protection, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). The Mercy Corps Lebanon team consists of over 160 staff working across six offices throughout Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon, Tripoli and the Bekaa.

Mercy Corps is launching an initial six-month intervention (1 September 2018 to 1 March 2019) in Arsal to rehabilitate fruit orchards which have been affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis, in order to alleviate the loss of long-term livelihoods for farmers in the Arsal outskirts.   The proposed program plans to subsidize the removal of dead fruit trees, the purchase and planting of fruit trees, the rehabilitation of drip irrigation equipment and /or greenhouses or other agricultural assets, and orchard maintenance toolkit distribution for 40 small scale farmers.  Based on need, the program may also rehabilitate agricultural roads in coordination with the municipality.  In addition, the program will provide cash for work and training opportunities for vulnerable Lebanese and/or refugee individuals, enabling them to receive a rapid injection of cash into their households and to secure marketable skills in agriculture (such as grafting, pruning and spraying and irrigation maintenance) to facilitate their ability to secure seasonal work opportunities in the fruit orchards.

[Describe overview of job missioGENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Project Assistant will work closely with the Project Coordinator and Training and Cash for Work Officers to support with the smooth running of the project.  They will assist with administrative tasks related to implementation of the project activities, field visits to supervise activities, carrying out monitoring and control activities, and coordination with finance and operation teams to follow up with ongoing purchases and payments.  The project assistant will support as required in the organization of all activities under the project – including beneficiary selection, coordination of service providers, implementation of cash for work activities, implementation of skills training, and monitoring and evaluation.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Support the Project Officers with beneficiary selection
• Support with the organization of all CFW activities, including MoU signing, laborers’ identification with key stakeholders and predetermined criteria, and coordination.
• Support with the oversight of procurement of all materials for CFW projects, working closely with the project team and operations department in MC
• Support with the coordination of payment procedures, including documentation, approval and actual payment, working closely with the project team and finance department in MC. 
• Support the project team to maintain all documentation relating directly to CFW activities required to ensure accountability to the donor, particularly where labor is concerned.
• Provide logistical support as required for the implementation of skills training sessions
• Participate in monitoring activities to enable MC to assess both progress against activities and achievement of program objectives
• Implement Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity policy and applies Do No Harm approaches;
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned.

Organizational Learning 

As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning activities. 

Do This

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: N/A

ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Project Coordinator

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:  Cash for Work and Training Project Officer, Project Assistant, Finance, Operations

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• At least 2 years’ experience in relevant programming
• Experience implementing cash for work programs is an advantage
• Experience implementing agricultural programs is an advantage
• Demonstrated ability to manage and communicate effectively with team members of varied work styles;
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving;
• Proven ability to learn quickly
• Ability to effectively represent Mercy Corps and its interests to key stakeholders;
• Oral and written Arabic required
• Oral and written English skills preferred
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment;
• Experience with NGOs is a plus

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Project Assistant will have excellent organizational skills, as well as good communication skills.  The successful candidate will be proactive and solution oriented.  Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving is essential in a complex security and political environment like Lebanon. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.