Consortium Manager

DRC has been responding to various humanitarian crises in Lebanon since 2004, working with Palestinian, Iraqi and Syrian refugees. DRC received registration from the Ministry of Interior in 2011, and since then has focused primarily on responding to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon and the resulting impact on Lebanese host community. DRC Lebanon’s focus is to ensure that we are able to respond to critical emerging humanitarian needs whilst improve the living conditions of displacement-affected populations and contribute to the achievement of durable solutions. With an annual portfolio of $12million, and with approximately 200+ staff, DRC is focusing its response in protection and economic recovery (Ec-Rec) sector in Bekka, North Lebanon and Beirut. DRC is also contributing to the evidence base and coordination structures in country through our Evidence Generation and referral information management (RIMs) teams.

About the Job:

In 2019, Danish Refugee Council (DRC), Mercy Corps, Oxfam in Lebanon and Al Majmoua established the Consortium “Linking Vulnerable Populations and Inclusive Market Networks to Advance Sustainable Economic Development in Lebanon” – or “LINKED” – to contribute to sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic development in Lebanon.

With support from European Union’s Madad Trust Fund (MADAD), LINKED intends to delivers an integrated livelihoods package comprising of a series of mutually reinforcing and sequenced activities. On the one side it will aim at ensuring vulnerable households have enhanced capacities to identify and pursue decent livelihoods pathways and improving access to employment opportunities of vulnerable job seekers through enhanced marketable skills and linkages with employers. In parallel, it will seek to strengthen capacities of selected local businesses to provide decent, inclusive and sustainable income generation opportunities.

The €14.5 Million programme will be delivered in Bekaa, Tripoli and Mount Lebanon governorates most affected by displacement for a period of 32 months and will target Lebanese vulnerable populations and refugees. The action is designed so that each agency will serve as thematic lead for various elements of each output – DRC for employability, Mercy Corps for Business Support, Oxfam for Advocacy and Decent Work conditions and Al Majmoua for financial inclusion – while DRC and Mercy Corps will be delivering the bulk of employability and business support activities in their geographical area of implementation.

The LINKED consortium is looking for a highly qualified professional to serve as Consortium Manager to oversee successful completion of the flagship MADAD Economic Recovery programme, and to support growth and continued development of the LINKED economic recovery programming portfolio with emphasis on employability and business support. The Consortium Manager will be recruited and hosted by DRC Lebanon as lead of the consortium. However he/she will be accountable to the Consortium Steering Committee composed of Country Directors of the four consortium member organizations.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Lead on the overall implementation and delivery of the MADAD Economic Recovery programme and coordinate consortium partners and monitor recovery programme activities to ensure full compliance with project targets, deadlines and other commitments, including donor compliance requirements.
• Provide overall leadership of the Consortium Management Unit (CMU), ensuring that core functions (internal and external coordination, financial oversight and compliance; M&E, donor liaison, communication activities and reporting, etc.) are carried out in a timely and effective manner.
• Lead regular Consortium Technical Working Group meetings composed of focal points from each organization (Economic Recovery, MEAL, Communication, Advocacy, Heads of Programmes etc. depending on priorities) to provide technical support and guidance to consortium organizations in the timely and quality implementation of the programme.
• Ensure that the steering committee is abreast of all project related issues and opportunities, from programmatic implementation perspective and strategic perspective.
• Lead regular steering committee meetings, (monthly or bi-monthly) to ensure that consortium partners are kept abreast of programme implementation, any challenges that need to be flagged and opportunities to raise.
• Present regular (generally bi-weekly) briefings and documentation on programme progress to the line manager & to the Country Director to ensure that the LINKED Steering Committee is informed of and consulted on critical issues and report to the Steering Committee regularly (generally, quarterly).
• With the HOP/Country Director, and as relevant with the Steering Committee, provide representation and advocacy with relevant policy and coordination forums, other recovery actors and in particular other MADAD funded organisations, donors and authorities.
• Engage regularly and as needed with the Madad-funded Economic Development Policy Unit (EDPU) and ensure that programmatic evidence is shared and reflected in EDPU activities.
• Overall responsible for leading and developing consortium strategy, including programme planning, donor mapping and lead fundraising initiatives for the LINKED recovery programme expansion.

About You

The successful candidate will have considerable programme management, technical advisory and coordination experience, with a proven track record in Economic Recovery programming in displacement settings. The ideal candidate will have and at least 5 years international experience, including experience in post-conflict and development settings, preferably some within the Middle East region:

• Masters Degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Development Studies or other relevant field
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in managing and leading economic recovery projects, preferably within partner networks or consortia;
• Demonstrated technical expertise in economic recovery approaches, with ideally a focus on employability and business support activities, with a strong understanding of protection principles and programming;
• Demonstrated experience with support services and associated compliance, including in finance management, logistics, procurement and HR;
• M&E experience, including with design and implementation of base-line survey, monitoring and evaluation functions in complex programmes;
• Experience working with local civil society actors and local/government authorities;
• Networking, influencing, and representation/leadership skills with ability to develop effective relationships with a range of actors;
• Proven experience in strategic development and program design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
• Experience in directly and indirect staff management; with the ability to work flexibly and lead a diverse team.
• Experience with a range of donors, with specific experience and knowledge of the European Union’s regulations and requirements;
• Excellent communication, negotiation and problem-solving capacities;
• Ability to manage stress, multi-task and take decisions;
• Proven ability to work in insecure and hardship environments.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional
• conduct in relation to our values and Code of

We offer

Contract length: until 30th of May 2023 with the possibility of extension based on funding

Band: F1

Designation of Duty Station: Beirut with travel to field locations l Non-family Duty Station

Start date: 15th of July 2022

Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates staff or DRC National Staff salary scale.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

For questions regarding the vacancy please contact [email protected].

Closing date for applications: 12 April 2022