Organization Overview

Un Ponte Per ETS (UPP) is an Italian NGO established in 1991. Originally known as "Un ponte per Baghdad" in the aftermath of the first Gulf War, UPP began its mission by organizing solidarity initiatives to support the Iraqi civilian population. Over the years, UPP expanded its operations to include Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. The INGO is dedicated to preventing armed conflicts, protecting human rights, and supporting local civil society. UPP promotes the integration of its humanitarian, peacebuilding, and development programs. UPP has been active in Lebanon since 2001, where it is officially registered with the local authorities and operates through its office in Beirut. UPP has substantial experience in protecting vulnerable groups, especially focusing on women, youth focusing on educational, mental health, and sport programs.

For further information please refer to our website: http://www.unponteper.it/en/

Job Purpose
The Junior Project Coordinator will be responsible for managing UPP component of the project "YASS - Sports, Recreational, and Music Activities in UNRWA Schools".

The project aims to promote the well-being of students in UNRWA schools located in the three governorates of North, Mount Lebanon, and South Lebanon in a context of inclusive and sustainable development of activities. This objective will be achieved through various activities, such as: football and basketball sessions, recreational activities and music activities supported by Prima Materia.

Within the project, UPP will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of the above-mentioned activities in tight coordination with UNRWA management and Prima Materia partner. The role includes managing project staff and partners, ensuring timely and effective project delivery, financial planning and management, high-quality reporting, and visibility, and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders. The successful candidate will also contribute to the development of the UPP strategy in Lebanon, leading the development of partnerships and new project proposals.

Key Responsibilities

Project planning and management

·        Lead the planning, implementation, and monitoring of UPP project’s activities;

·        Ensure that all activities are in line with project objectives as described in the project’s documents, and with donor requirements;

·        Regularly update UPP PCM tool;

·        In coordination with project’s partners, regularly develop, update and revise the project’s workplan, in order to ensure that activities are implemented on time and project’s milestones reached;

·        Regularly review and update the risk matrix analysis, including the mitigation measures to be adopted to mitigate risks, and eventually develop contingency plans when needed.

Financial management, logistic and administration

·        Manage UPP project’s budget, ensuring financial compliance and timely expenditure;
Define quarterly and monthly plans of expenditures according to the project’s budget and the plan of activities;

·        Monitor the expenditure pace and ensure its compliance with the project document and the yearly/quarterly plans.

·        Ensure the sound implementation and monitoring of UPP and the donor’s administrative procedures;

·        Ensure that project’s expenditures are regularly reported in the internal system and financial support documents (invoices, contracts, etc.) are regularly archived;

·        Develop, update and regularly revise the procurement plan of the project;

·        Ensure that procurement activities are implemented according to internal and donor’s procedures, and lead the procurement process in coordination with project’s team;

·        Develop and monitor procurement contracts (works, services, goods).

Narrative and financial reporting

·        Regularly keep track of project’s activities, updates and information needed for the project’s reporting;

·        Prepare and submit high-quality narrative interim and final reports to donor;

·        Support, in coordination with local team and UPP Desk, the preparation of interim and final financial reports to donors according to donor’s guidelines;

·        Prepare any other report, document, assessment, etc. required by the donor;

·        Prepare internal reports;

·        Maintain regular coordination with HQ according to defined schedule.

Team Management

·        Draft the TOR of the project’s staff and take part in their recruitment;

·        Coordinate, supervise and support the project’s staff (1-2 people) through regular meetings and supervision of workplan;

·        Conduct regular performance reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members;

·        Facilitate capacity-building initiatives for staff: Identify possible areas of weakness and plan for on-the-job training in coordination with HQ.

·        Development of materials for capacity building according to needs.

Monitoring

·        Develop a monitoring plan for UPP and relative partners’ activities;

·        In coordination with UPP team, develop project’s monitoring tools;

·        Ensure that data are collected according to the developed monitoring plan, that sources of verification are archived properly, that indicator track system is updated regularly and data shared internally and externally according to needs;

·        Ensure that corrective measures are planned and taken if obstacles and challenges are met in reaching the expected targets;

·        Carry out regular field visits to monitor the progresses and quality of activities on the field.

Coordination with partners, stakeholders and donor

·        Ensure effective coordination and communication with project’s consortium lead, to ensure that the project is implemented in a coordinated and integrated way;

·        Coordinate and support UPP local and international partners in the planning, implementation and monitoring of project’s activities;

·        Ensure coordination with relevant local authorities and UNRWA representatives;

·        Liaise with local authorities, NGOs, and other stakeholders to foster collaboration and ensure the integration of project activities;

·        Establish and maintain an effective relationship with donor representatives in Lebanon;

Project Visibility

·        Ensure that the visibility guidelines of the donor are respected, and proper visibility is given to the donor during all project activities and through different tools (banners, stickers, etc.)

·        Ensure that communities and stakeholders are aware of the subjects funding and implementing the project;

·        Provide the UPP Communication Officer with regular updates and documentation, including pictures and narrative materials, for them to promote the project via their standard channels.

Strategy, new project development and donor engagement

·        Contribute to the strategic development of UPP in Lebanon in the sport sector linking to social cohesion;

·        Contribute to the development and writing of new UPP strategy in Lebanon, also through the identification of opportunities, niches of action, and priorities;

·        Participate in the development and implementation of need assessments;

·        Engage, communicate and create relations with new donors to identify funds’ opportunities;

·        Map potential partnerships with local and international actors and develop new partnerships according to opportunities;

·        Contribute to the development and writing of new, high-quality project proposals in the sectors mentioned above.

Essential Requirements

·        Bachelor’s degree in international cooperation, social sciences, education, or a related field

·        Proven experience in managing people and partners, and in working with local authorities;

·        Good understanding of project life cycle management, including design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation;

·        Fluency in English (minimum C1) and Italian (C1 or mother tongue);

·        Strong written communication skills in both Italian and English, with the ability to contribute to high-quality project reports;

·        Ability to contribute to the development and writing of high-quality project proposals.

·        Ability to work independently and under pressure, managing multiple tasks and workstreams while meeting deadlines.

·        Dynamism, critical thinking, ethical motivation, openness to dialogue, and adaptability.

Desirable Requirements

·        Previous experience in sports, education, or sport as a tool for social cohesion

·        Previous experience working in the SWANA, particularly in Lebanon

·        Exposure to donor-funded projects

·        Knowledge of Arabic

Ethics & Safeguarding

UPP ETS is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
The organization applies a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse, exploitation, and harassment and expects all staff to adhere to its Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies.

For more information, please visit our website: http://www.unponteper.it/en/