Context presentation: Un Ponte Per (UPP) is a voluntary association founded in 1991, immediately after the bombing of Iraq, which promotes solidarity initiatives for Iraqis who suffered during the war. Un Ponte Per works in Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Serbia and Kosovo alongside civil society organizations. In Italy, it promotes peace and disarmament, defends the common goods, and welcomes refugees and migrants. The aim of UPP is the prevention of new conflicts, particularly in the Middle East.  This is achieved through advocacy campaigns, programs which educate and encourage cultural exchange, collaborative projects and peaceful civil interventions. For further information please refer to our website: www.unponteper.it/en/

CONTEXT BACKGROUND: UPP is present in North East Syria (NES) since 2015, and it is one of the main actors active in the sector of health. Emergency health interventions under humanitarian funds have been the main area of intervention, however, in the last two years, due to the long-term needs and gaps assessed by UPP, and to the scarcity of opportunities to identify and promote options for reinforcing the health system in the medium-long term and to increase opportunities for capacity building in the area, UPP developed an innovative intervention funded by the EU to identify options to strengthen the health system and increasing its sustainability with a development/early recovery lens, and specifically address the particular needs and constraints of the target areas.

Role and Responsibilities

Un Ponte Per is looking for one Project Manager that will be responsible of the following major tasks:

Project activities planning, implementation and monitoring

·      Ensuring the overall management of the project in line with the project description, the Work Plan, the timeline and the budget, and ensuring expected results are achieved;

·      Developing a detailed Work plan of the project, and following the timely implementation of project’s activities in strict coordination with the HQ Desk, the HoP, the Health Coordinator and the Health Department, as well as the relevant support departments in UPP Syria mission.

·      Ensuring the continuous coordination between the project teams and the relevant departments through regular project’s meetings and other coordination tools;

·      Ensuring the coordination and Line Management of the programme team (Project Officer, Reporting and Events Officer, Liaison Officer);

·      Guaranteeing the monitoring of the activities and achievement of the project’s outputs and results, in coordination with the MEAL department and the Health Coordinator;

·      Planning and managing the financial resources allocated to the project upon UPP administrative procedures and relevant Policies, donor requirements and approved expenditure forecasts, in coordination with the Admin department, and ensure the needed financial resources are available on time for the implementation of activities, supporting the technical staff in the use of financial resources if needed;

·      Guaranteeing the timely procurement of the goods and services and the organization of events for the implementation of project’s activities and, in coordination with the Logistic department, ensuring that procurements follow internal rules as well as donor’s rule;

·      Contributing in the selection of local or international staff to deploy in the project, in coordination with HR Department and in line with the procedures provided by UPP HR Manual;

·      Managing project staff according to UPP Staff Handbook and coordinating staff movements;

·      Support the HQ Desk in coordinating with the international partners in the project in the planning of their activities and especially during field visits;

·      Carrying out constant field visit to supervise the implementation of the activities.

Project reporting

·      Ensuring complete and accurate quarterly, interim and final reports are submitted timely according to donor’s requirements. If needed, writing further periodic report for internal and external use;

·      Overseeing financial reporting in a timely and accurate manner in coordination with the Admin dep.;

·      Ensuring that the overall relevant project documentation (legal, financial, HR, MEAL, etc.) is compliant with UPP standards, up to date, accurate, well stored and organized, available, and easy to consult at any time.

Coordination, representation and communication

·      Guaranteeing a constant and fruitful coordination with the partners, the beneficiaries and the stakeholders in the project, promoting common understanding, maintaining constant communication (sharing documents, updates, tools) and carrying out periodic meetings and field visits;

·      Ensuring communication flows across the projects operational team and between the field and HQ levels is continuous, prompt, accurate and collaborative and the requested information about the project progresses, critical events, bottlenecks, planning and financial insight are immediately available;

·      Liaising with other INGOs and local NGOs, coordination platforms and other stakeholders as needed for the good project implementation;

·      Participating to all the relevant humanitarian coordination working groups and meetings if needed;

·      Contributing in maintaining a constant communication flow with the Contracting Authority, in strict coordination with the HQ Desk.

Project development

·      Participating in the elaboration of new project proposals and concept notes (elaboration of the project idea, stakeholders’ engagement and involvement, etc.);

·      If needed, contributing to the elaboration, coordination and implementation of need assessments;

·      Contributing to the writing of high-quality concept notes and project proposals.

Essential requirements

·      University degree in International Relations, development cooperation, literature or similar. A technical degree in relevant topics (health) is considered a strong asset;

·      At least 3 years of experience as expat Project Manager for development cooperation/humanitarian projects with budget over 1,000,000 USD, including activities’ planning and supervision, budget management, donor’s administrative procedures and reporting. Previous experience in the management of EU-funded projects and in INGOs is considered a strong asset;

·      Good knowledge on topics related to health care system, health system strengthening and recovery, health public health management;

·      Excellent command and understanding of the project life cycle management from need assessment to evaluation;

·      Proven capacities to plan activities successfully targeting results and objectives;

·      Previous experience working under pressure and/or in hardship duty station;

·      Team working skills and proactive attitude;

·      Experience of reporting and monitoring to tight deadlines;

·      Excellent organizational skills with the ability to coordinate activities;

·      Determined and committed to high quality standards;

·      Ability to establish effective working relationships at all levels internally and externally in a multicultural environment;

·      Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

·      Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines and work calmly under pressure, while maintaining flexibility and professional approach;

·      Excellent oral and written English;

·      Good command of basic Excel and Word functions.

Desirable requirements:

·      Previous experience in the management of health care projects with EU funding will be considered a strong asset;

·      Experience in working with local authorities and in coordination with local and international stakeholders;

·      Knowledge of the guidelines, including administrative procedures, of the major funding bodies (EU, ECHO, UN, BHA, etc.);

·      Experience facilitating the organization of trainings, workshops and events;

·      Knowledge of Arabic and/or Kurdish.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Un Ponte Per is an International NGO committed to diversity and inclusion within its teams, in line with the principle of non-discrimination. UPP encourages all candidates irrespective of gender, religion and ethnicity including persons with disabilities to apply and become part of the organization.

UPP upholds all the minimum standards in terms of Ethical Conduct and strives to increase its standards over the minimum. Zero tolerance is reserved to Sexual Abuse and Exploitation and to Child Abuse, Violence, Harm, Injury and Negligence, as well as to Anti-Corruption, Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism. By applying, the candidate assures that s/he has never breached any standards of SEA, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Corruption, Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism and that s/he won’t in the future. For the protection of beneficiaries, communities and partners, UPP, through the HR Manager and/or the Executive Director, will conduct extensive reference check and profound vetting on shortlisted candidates, also further to the contacts indicated by the candidate. Candidates are alerted that the required background checks might compromise their privacy. Shortlisted candidates shall promptly provide an up-to-date criminal background check.