وظيفة شاغرة لدى منظمة Expertise France: مطلوب مسؤول/ة عن المنح (Grants Officer – We Hub Project)

• General information

Project name:                                Women Empowerment Hub in Lebanon (WE HUB)

Donor:                                              European Union

Implementing agency:                 Expertise France

Duration of the assignment:      40 months

Contract type:                                Full-time contract.

Assignment location:                   Beirut, Lebanon

Job title:                                           Grants Officer

Applications (detailed resume and cover letter) are to be sent to the following email address: info.recruitmentlb@expertisefrance.fr, under the title:  Grants Officer – We Hub Project.  Please draft your cover letter and your CV in English.

• Context and justification of the need

The 2021 Joint Communication on a “Renewed partnership with the Southern Neighborhood – A new Agenda for the Mediterranean” underlines the importance to give special attention to the promotion of the role of women in society and the economy as part of a renewed commitment to the rule of law, human and fundamental rights, equality, democracy and good governance. In line with EU external and internal policy areas set under the Gender Action Plan (GAP) III which scales up the EU contribution to reach SDG 52 in all EU internal and external policy areas and across the 2030 Agenda, the European Commission has adopted in 2022 the Action “Women Empowerment Hub in Lebanon (WE HUB)” financed under the Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe).

The overall objective of the action, with a budget of EUR 6,000,000, is to promote the advancement and empowerment of women for effective realization of gender equality. The specific objectives of the project are:

SO1. Increase women’s leadership and participation in political and public sphere.

SO2. Foster an enabling environment for better engagement of women in the workforce.

SO3. Enhance key legislative reform and measures that protect women from all forms of violence.

The expected results of the action are as follows:

Under SO1:

• Women feel more empowered to engage in political life.
• Women are more visible in public space. They gain competencies, networks, confidence and legitimacy.
• Policy dialogue at national level is enhanced and the political and legislative framework is more compliant with gender equality.

Under SO2:

• Women and civil society are better equipped to address discriminatory social norms and gender stereotypes.
• Policies stemming from evidence-based information and recommendations to combat gender discrimination and inequalities are adopted by different stakeholders on a systemic level.
• More women can access employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, in non-traditional and unconventional sectors.

Under SO3:

• Actors in the line of protection offer better services to VGB-survivor and their coordination with NGOs is enhanced.
• The access to justice of GBV survivors is enhanced.
• The existing legal framework for protection of women from violence is more enforced.

WE-HUB Project will be implemented by Expertise France and GIZ, as follows:

Expertise France will be in charge of components 1 and 3 and responsible for the overall coordination of the project and donor reporting. GIZ will be in charge of component 2.

Needs justification

Expertise France is implementing a project that deals with numerous stakeholders and beneficiaries, from both the public administration and civil society. The project involves a well-defined set of deliverables that must be attained throughout its 42 months period.

With such a project, the management of grants and funds is vital for succeeding, and therefore, the Grants Officer will be supporting the project team in all matters related to the project’s grants and the support it provides for beneficiaries right from the inception phase, adapting with the situation as things proceed and develop.

• Objectives and desired results

The main role of the Grants Officer is to support the implementation of the project’s activities related to grants to the civil society. Working under the supervision of the Project Manager, in close collaboration with the Key Expert, and in coordination with the M&E expert of the project. The position is based in Beirut, but the officer will work on regular basis both in the office and on the field.

Responsibility 1: Operations

• Develop and manage the project’s grant program:  Draft ToR for call for proposals; ensure the review of grants and their selection is completed in an organized, timely, financially sound manner; train selected applicants on reporting rules, according to EF and EU grants reporting procedures;
• Oversee implementation of operations by grantees in coordination with the Key Expert.
• Finalize the grant contract documents (Description of Action, Logframe, Budget, etc.) in close coordination with the M&E, finance, and legal teams and ensuring compliance with EF and EU procedures.
• Follow up on the implementation of project activities in the field, ensuring that activities and expenditure are progressing according to their workplans and budget forecasts.
• In close collaboration with the M&E expert, ensure that monitoring data is collected and archived in a timely manner, and that feedback to donors is provided in a timely fashion.
• Support the M&E expert in preparing for activities and evaluations.
• Identify key stakeholders to be involved in the project and approach them.
• Make sure that any updates/information needed are shared in due time with partners (official letters, activity progress reports, minutes of the meetings, etc.)
• When the needs arise, be part of the call for proposal/tenders’ preparation and selection process of partners in coordination with the Key Expert and the Project manager.

Responsibility 2: Coordination

• Report to the Key Expert on any context updates, needs, challenges and discuss solutions, and report to project Team Leader when deemed necessary.
• Follow up on all procedures relating to application processes and workshops or trainings.
• Lead coordination meetings, in cooperation with the Key Expert and the Project manager, with Civil society organizations, private sector, universities active in the project sectors of intervention.

Responsibility 3: Finance, Logistics and Administrative support

• Make sure that logistical, administrative, and financial procedures linked to project implementation are followed according to EF and EU requirements.
• Follow up to ensure that all administrative documents related to project implementation are up to date and well-stored.
• Ensure that all partner financial documents are submitted, collected, and analysed for the validity of the expense.
• Work closely and coordinate with the Key Expert on reviewing partner submissions, ensuring the accuracy of financial reports in accordance with their activity planning (financial supporting documents, revising Budget vs Actuals, etc.)

Responsibility 4: Reporting

• Make sure that grant beneficiaries issue timely monthly and quarterly qualitative reporting (both narrative and financial, including quarterly financial forecasting)
• Draft the monthly/quarterly information sheet summing up monthly/quarterly achievements and planned activities with Key Expert guidance/support.
• Support the Key Expert in producing narrative reports, ad hoc reports related to field visits, attendance at workshops, conferences, seminars, etc.

Education level                                                                 

University degree in Management, Political Science, Social Sciences, or related field, master’s degree is a plus.

Qualifications

• 4 to 5 years of experience in non-governmental organizations, including small and medium sized organizations.
• Strong knowledge of NGOs financial reporting requirements (work experience on finance is an asset).
• Knowledge of EU grants procedures
• Excellent knowledge of the Lebanese civil society.
• Fluency in English and Arabic (written and spoken). Excellent command in French is a plus.
• Excellent computer skills: MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Excellent communication and reporting skills.
• Strong relationship skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
• Previous experience work experience with international agencies would be an asset.