Country: Lebanon
Closing date: 04 Sep 2017
Project Description: Talent Beyond Boundaries is an American NGO working to open a new pathway to help people forcefully displaced from their home countries find work and self-reliance through international employment opportunities. Talent Beyond Boundaries is linking with employers who can use work visas to bring talented refugees to fill skill gaps around the world. Although humanitarian leaders and academics increasingly recognize that labor mobility can help displaced individuals lead productive self-sufficient lives, to date there has been no effective effort to connect this talent pool to private sector employers who recruit globally. Talent Beyond Boundaries' goal is to create a viable labor migration pathway for refugees around the globe. Talent Beyond Boundaries is currently implementing its Pilot Project through a partnership with SPARK, drawing on their complimentary knowledge and expertise. For more about Talent Beyond Boundaries visit www.talentbeyondboundaries.org
Organization Description: SPARK’s mission is to develop higher education and entrepreneurship so that young ambitious people in post-conflict societies are empowered to lead their societies into prosperity. Founded in 1994, SPARK is an independent, not-for-profit international development organization with more than 100 staff working from sixteen offices around the world. SPARK’s activities take place in highly complex environments including fragile states and involve economic, social, and political change. SPARK’s mission is to develop entrepreneurship and higher education so that young ambitious people are empowered to lead their post-conflict societies into prosperity.
Position Summary: The Project Manager will be a contracted employee of Spark, working solely on TBB’s pilot project, in close collaboration with both TBB and SPARK staff. The Project Manager will plan, budget, oversee and document aspects of the pilot project for TBB in Lebanon. The person in this role will work closely with upper management TBB to make sure that the scope and direction of the project is on schedule and amended as needed. He or she will also assist the team in strategic planning to scale-up after the pilot project. The Project Manager will be a key focal point in coordinating outreach activities to refugees for TBB’s Talent Catalog, an online platform where refugees register professional profiles with TBB. The Project Manager will coordinate outreach volunteer and intern activities, liaise with local and international organizations, and work on TBB’s digital outreach to refugees. The Project Manager will play a critical role in managing the dissemination of information regarding TBB’s pilot project, ensuring accurate and transparent communication of TBB’s pilot project and mission. The Manager will also contribute to case management for refugee candidates working with TBB and Spark. The Project Manager will work closely with both TBB and Spark teams on this collaborative effort.
Work travel: This position will be based in Beirut, with some travel to different parts of the country. Must be comfortable navigating Lebanon and have a valid driver’s license.
Working Environment: The Project Manager will work in SPARK’s office as an integrated member of SPARK’s team. The Project Manager will also work closely with TBB’s Regional Program Manager and other team members from TBB both in the country and remotely.
Start Date / Duration of Contract: As soon as possible. 6 months, renewable. The first month of the contract will be a probation period.
Salary: Based on experience (1,700-2,000 USD)
Candidate Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree mandatory, Master’s Degree is a plus
2+ years of professional experience, ideally in an NGO setting and related to project management. Experience in refugee context, development or humanitarian response highly desirable (or other sectors related to TBB’s project)
Fluent Arabic and English: Read, Written and Spoken mandatory. No exceptions
Passion for TBB’s goal to open a new safe and legal pathway for refugees through international employment
Excellent communication skills. Comfortable presenting to a group and conducting information sessions.
Resourceful and able to forge new partnerships and avenues of outreach to refugees
Detail-oriented with a strong ability to time manage and coordinate schedules
Solid organizational skills including respect for deadlines
Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective and working relations with all the types of stakeholders. Strong cultural awareness and tolerance to diversity especially in the details pertaining to the refugee crisis and the Lebanese environment
Adaptability and ability to re-prioritize according to the changing context.
Able to work effectively and creatively independently and within a team. Self-driven and strong ability to work independently and take initiative.
Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.
Strong budgeting ability to maintain the project budget.
Analytical skills to be able to solve problems that may come up during a typical work day.
Responsibilities & Tasks:
Ensures the evaluation, strategy and development of the pilot program in close coordination with management.
Work dynamically with SPARK and TBB staff as a team player on the implementation of TBB’s pilot project.
Provide case management to refugee participants to assist them through the process of preparing for international employment. This could include coordinating logistics, contacting and meeting with candidates, answering questions, and ensuring updates and developments are effectively communicated.
Manage and implement outreach outreach in refugee communities to professionals who meet criteria based on TBB’s employer partners. This might include building relationships with networks and organizations, giving information sessions to potential program participants, recruiting volunteers, meeting with active community members, and expanding online outreach.
Coordinate logistics necessary to prepare candidates in TBB’s program to move for international employment. This could include helping candidates prepare the necessary documents, take language and skills testing, prepare applications and CVs, access information, and take the steps needed to obtain a work visa.
Coordinate interns and/or volunteers to ensure that the outreach and registration follow-up plan is enacted and they are fully trained to respond to the questions and concerns of program registrants and organizations.
Develop, in collaboration with the TBB team, clear messaging to effectively communicate TBB’s work in a clear and concise manner to both registrants and participants, managing expectations and creating clear understanding of TBB’s role in the process.
Ensure information, challenges, and lessons learned are efficiently communicated with the TBB-SPARK team and documented.
Manage changes to the project scope, project schedule, and project costs in coordination with the TBB-SPARK team.
Contribute to the development of operational plan, in terms of reviewing the progress and benefiting from lessons learned and contributing to strategic planning.
Expand TBB’s partnerships that can help refugees prepare for international employment and establish positive relations with refugee communities, organizations and officials; represent TBB and SPARK’s joint work at meetings and working groups.
Contribute to TBB’s Arabic and English content and social media presence.
How to apply:
Please send a cover letter and resume/CV to lebanon@talentbeyondboundaries.org by September 4th. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We regret that we cannot contact every individual who applies to the position. We sincerely thank you for your interest.