Project Associate

Background

In the framework of a joint Dealing with the Past programme between UNDP and UNWomen and through its “Peace Building in Lebanon” through the Dealing with the Past project, UNDP is working on supporting national and local actors in their efforts to deal with the legacy of the past. 

Among that is the support it is providing to the Forum for Memory and Future, a gathering of more than 15 NGOs and individuals working on dealing with the past issues.

UNDP has been technically supporting this Forum before and since its creation in 2019 through coordination support, capacity building, implementation of activities, including their efforts to raise awareness and advocate on the issue of DWP, as well as work on developing a strategy for Lebanon on DwP. 

Building on the successes and lessons of the first phase of the DWP project, UNDP and UNWOMEN will continue supporting the different national and local actors in their efforts to deal with the past.  Throughout its interventions, the UN will apply a multi-pronged, inclusive, and victim/survivor-centered approach to ensure that the responses are grounded within the realities of Lebanese communities and based on a “conflict sensitive approach” to minimize harm and maximize positive impacts. The project aims to: Contribute to, amplify, and scale up community-based gender sensitive reconciliation work to promote peaceful co-existence and a sense of belonging in Lebanon, while also calling for national and local actors’ leadership. 

In doing this, the project will achieve the following outcomes: 

1. National and local actors increasingly operate under a coordinated framework of action to address issues of national reconciliation.
2. Women and Men in Lebanon increasingly understand and accept alternative memories and truths and take action to prevent relapse into violence.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Associate will perform the following functions:

a) Support the Project Implementation: 

• Preparation and implementation of project activities; 
• Coordination, implementation and follow up  of day-to-day operations to ensure effective implementation of the project activities and delivery on its outputs;
• Support the project manager the preparation of the project proposals and workplans;
• Ensure conflict sensitivity and gender mainstreaming in activities planning and implementation throughout the project cycle;
• Drafting Terms of Reference for technical expert as needed (i.e. trainers, etc.) ;
• Monitor and track consultants’, companies/CSOs/NGOs and Implementing partners.  work/deliverables and ensure the quality of the implementation of activities;
• Provide logistical support to the project’ activities such as workshop and meeting organization. 

b) Support partnerships and advocacy activities at project level 

• Coordinate partnerships relations with relevant central and local (and sub-local?) institutions, Academia and CSOs working or involved in DwP;
• Coordination with UN entities working with the project, notably, UNWOMEN;
• Facilitate cooperation and exchange of information with and between partners and establish strong relationships with the project’s NGOs and national counterparts. 

c) Monitoring and Reporting

• Prepare minutes of meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops reports, and maintain documentations and records;
• Organize the preparation of project reviews and evaluations as defined in the project document;
• Support in gathering information and success stories ideas from beneficiaries during field visits and trainings;
• Prepare progress and final reports on DWP activities in accordance with UNDP reporting standards; 
• Support the Project Manager in monitoring project progress against annual and quarterly work plan and budget plan, and collect relevant data and figures on the DwP activities; 
• Draft articles to be published in the Project Newsletter;
• Represent the Project as required by the Project Manager at various fora’s organized by partners tackling similar topics to that of the project.

D) Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building

• Participate in training and organize briefings on internal procedures for the project staff. Provide support to other capacity building activities, including to the design and delivery of tools, materials for workshops, or platforms that tap into the collective intelligence of communities and mobilize action.
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The selected incumbent will be working under the overall guidance and the direct supervision of the Peace Building Project Manager.

Competencies

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Ethics 

Communications 

Procurement 

Contract management. 

Required Skills and Experience

• Secondary Education is required; or
• University degree in Law, Political Science, International Relations, Project Management or other related field will be given due consideration but not a requirement.

• Minimum 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of progressive relevant experience in project coordination including execution and monitoring of results. 

• Professional experience around dealing with the past or peacebuilding; 
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP.    

• Previous experience with the UN, UNV, NGOs or international organization(s) is an asset.
• Previous experience in stakeholder engagement and advocacy skills.
• Coordination and project management Skills and experience
• Strong and demonstrated knowledge of the Lebanese dealing with the past issues; 

Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.

Knowledge of French is an asset

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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