Project Manager/ Researcher

CARE West Bank and Gaza seeks an experienced professional for the post of Project Manager/ Researcher in the CARE WBG Country Office to be based in Gaza.  The Project Manager/ researcher reports directly to the Civil Society Sector Coordinator and is expected to manage, coordinate and provide general oversight of the 4th phase of the Gaza NGOs safety Project funded by the European Commission Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO).  The NGO safety project manager/researcher (PM/R) plays a central role in encouraging and supporting networking, information sharing, and coordination between local and international NGOs, organizing and shepherding a regular flow of information and documentation through an SMS service, radio service, biweekly publication, and monthly meetings, as well as through a website. 
The successful candidate will have demonstrated managerial, political/economical/social research and analysis skills and English language writing skills at an exceptionally high level.

CARE hopes to encumber this position by March 31st for a period of 12.5 months, renewable depending on the continued availability of ECHO funding.

To apply, please submit your application to [email protected] to include the following:

(a) Cover letter detailing your qualifications to the position per the attached Job Description and highlighting aspects of your experience and abilities that you think are important to your potential success in this position.
(b) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
(c)  A relevant writing sample of no more than 5000 words.
 
Deadline for receipt of applications is March 7th, with interviews planned for mid March.
 
CARE West Bank and Gaza (WBG) is implementing an NGO safety project in the Gaza Strip, funded by the European Commission Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid (ECHO).  The project seeks to provide services to enhance and preserve the safety of the international non-governmental organization (INGO) and local NGO (NGO) community which provide vitally needed humanitarian and emergency assistance to the 1.4 million people lliving in Gaza.  These services include a communications network and safety-oriented training.  In the politically charged environment of the Gaza Strip, the project strives to maintain a position of complete neutrality.
The primary responsibilities of this position are to manage a project funded by the European Commission Humanitarian AID Office (ECHO) and implemented by CARE International to promote the safety of humanitarian organizations and their staff working in the Gaza Strip and to provide expert research and analysis skills to the project.  Responsibilities include oversight of all project activities and accountability for results per the GANSO project proposal.
The NGO safety project manager/researcher (PMR) plays a central role in encouraging and supporting networking, information sharing, and coordination between the local and international NGOs, organizing and shepherding a regular flow of information and documentation through an SMS service, radio service, biweekly publication, and monthly meetings, as well as through a website. 
S/he is responsible for all related activities to the project management and providing ongoing leadership, supervision, support, and guidance to 3- 7 staff members, the direct reports. The project manager is based in Gaza and reports directly to the Civil Society Sector Coordinatoor.

Responsibilities and Tasks :
Staff Management
S/he will manage up to five (5) full time employees, including a safety/project coordinator and three radio operators.  A CARE webmaster, based in the Jerusalem office, will support the project part time, and the Project Manager/Researcher (PMR) will work closely with the webmaster and his/her direct supervisor to assure smooth, professional management of a frequently updated website.  The project will be supported full time with custodial/receptionist support, particularly since the project, due to its nature, works partially out of normal business hours, particularly the radio operator service.  The primary responsibilities of this management relationship will include supervision, guidance, support and leadership and involves performance management, hiring, terminating, developing and coaching the reports in the course of their duties.
-S/he will be required to review the job descriptions and adopt if needed, orientate the new staff in conjunction with the HR department.
-Manage the performance of the immediate reports to ensure the programme’s objectives are achieved and that staff have the proper skills and motivation to produce.(This includes developing IOP’s, training, coaching and mentoring, as well as completing performance appraisals for each staff member

Biweekly and specialized reports
The PMR  is responsible for the writing of biweekly briefing reports which will be disseminated by the project.  This reports will include a wrap up of discrete incident reports in the reporting period, placing these incidents in larger political, social, and economic context in order to inform the decision making of INGO and NGO managers and staff.  The report may also include articles on topics of interest pertaining to social, political, and economic trends as desirable and necessary.  For examples of the kind of reporting envisioned, please see attached example reports and visit www.icg.org and www.gaza-nso.org.
The PMR is also responsible for writing various reports on issues that enhances safety and security of the humanitarian community in the Gaza strip. The exact focus of these reports will be identified based on regular consultation with representatives of NGOs working in Gaza

Monthly Briefings
The PMR will conduct a minimum of monthly oral briefings to INGO/NGO beneficiaries and others in a semi-public forum in Gaza.  These briefings will include a presentation of analysis of political, social, and economic trends in Gaza, the region and internationally and how those trends may impact the operational environment for beneficiary organizations.  It will also provide an opportunity for discussion and feedback.
The analyst will be expected to prepare for this meeting and lead presentation, as well as being ready, along with other project staff to field questions.
Briefings will not be intended to offer safety advice, only to provide timely, high-quality analysis that underpins descision-making.

Project Activities Management
S/he is primarily responsible for the successful implementation of all project activities, that Support the delivery of safety services and information to support INGO/NGO autonomous decision making about safe operations in the Gaza Strip.
1-Establish and disseminate, as appropriate, relevant emergency management mechanisms and tools, such as communication tree, contact lists, warden system, etc.
2-Participate ex-officio in an Advisory Board for the project, working in close cooperation and in support of the CARE Civil Society Sector Leader on this tasks
3-The PMR  will work with stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the Board establish a priority list of training needs in support of humanitarian agency safety in the Gaza Strip.  The PMR will work with the CO team to identify training service providers, per the GANSO contract and to set up regular training events in Gaza and the West Bank.
4-Oversight and management of GANSO training inputs. 
5-Maintains and monitors the internal communication and information systems to ensure effective transmittal of information for day to day activities and in cases of emergencies.
6-Oversees project staff maintenance of maintain correspondence file, and ensure that security information is kept in accessible electronic and paper systems.
7-Prepares project progress reports as required by the donor.

 Liaison and co-ordination
1-In consultation with UNDSS/UNWRA liaise with all role players and other relevant stakeholders.
2-Gather and collate available security information from existent sources such as OSAC, UN, AIDA, etc
3-Establish good working relations and rapport with the NGO community to provide them with relevant safety information as well as to get feedback from NGO community on safety matters in the field.
4-Build on existing emergency preparedness contact persons to collate information on the ground and through information exchange, network to strengthen the potential for successful risk management.

Problem Solving:
Level 2. But while generally what has to be done is known, the volatile, highly politicized context constantly brings new, often non-recurring  challenges requiring analysis, problem definition and the development of alternatives.

Qualifications :
Education and Training :
Required:
Degree in poltical science, sociology, anthropology, economics, security stdies or other related fields, which included a heavy emphasis on analytic writing or an equivalent blend of experience and educational background to support the responsibilities of this job

Desired :
Graduate degree in related field

Experience :
Required :
Demonstrated political/economic/social analysis skills
-Demonstrated English language writing skills at an exceptionally high level
-Demonstrated research ability
-Ability to work and write under pressure and against deadlines.
-Sophisticated understanding of the history, polictics, economies, and culture of the modern Middle East

Desired :
-Experience as a journalist or with journalistic writing
-Indepth knowledge and experience of the occupied Palestinian Territories and the Gaza Strip in particular
-Experience in conflict zones
-Basic understanding of Arabic langauge

Technical Skills :
-Ability to research, analyze and articulate the Gaza political, social, and economic context and demonstrate linkages to the operational safety of humanitarian workers
-Ability to write consisely and clearly to tight timelines
-Outstanding communications and presentation skills
-Strong problem solving skills
-Strong interpersonal skills
-Excellent English language skills
-Facility with Microsoft Office program use

Competences :
-communicating with impact
-organizing skills and time management
-stress management
-adaptability

General Accountability :
The GANSO Project Manager/Researcher is responsible for and accountable for the production of a high quality written analytic documents of about 4-6 pages every two weeks and an oral briefing once a month to stakeholders.  The incumbent is required to show independence, initiative, and leadership in his/her duties, while working closely with the CARE Country Office management.

Contacts/Key Relationships :

Internal :
Poistion title : Civil Society Sector Leader 
Relationship purpose :Direct supervisor

Poistion title : Assistant Country Director-Program
Relationship purpose :Project oversight

Poistion title : Emergency Coordinator
Relationship purpose :Project activity and reporting support

External :

Poistion title : Project beneficiaries
Relationship purpose :Establish priorities and partnerships

Poistion title : Project stakeholders
Relationship purpose :Ensure coordination and cooperation

Living Condition :
Location :Gaza
Expected percentage of time travelling : 30%
Special Conditions :
The position will be located in CARE's Gaza Office.  Gaza, while currently fairly calm, is a conflict zone and has been under seige for more than two and a half years, meaning that many items are unavailable and the population is increasingly poor.  Gaza is one of the most densely crowded places in the world and infrastructure is strained to the breaking point.  All access to Gaza at present is through the Israeli maintained Erez checkpoint.  Travel through Erez requires special coordination and is on foot only.  Travel in and out of the country is via Tel Aviv's airport or by land crossings to Jordan.