Senior Project Officer

Position: SENIOR PROJECT OFFICER
Location: Ramallah, Palestine
Closing date:  14th of August 2013


THE ORGANIZATION:

Handicap International is an independent and impartial international aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights.

Handicap International is a not-for-profit organisation with no religious or political affiliation. It operates as a federation made up of a network of associations that provide it with human and financial resources, manage its projects and implement its actions and social mission. For more details on the association: http://www.handicap-international.fr/en/s/index.html

HI has been active in the Middle East region since 1996, and has led initiatives in 7 countries of the region (Palestine, Lebanon, JordanEgypt, Iraqi Kurdistan, Syria and Yemen). HI has offices in Palestine, Lebanon, Iraqi Kurdistan, Palestine and Jordan, and the Middle East regional coordination team is based in Amman, Jordan.  Activities in the region have primarily focused on: supporting organisations of persons with disabilities working at national and local levels; strengthening rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities; and mine/explosive remnants of war clearance and risk awareness programs.


OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION:

The Senior Project Officer will be responsible for ensuring the successful implementation of activities in Palestine within the framework of a regional project : ‘Strengthening Disabled People’s Organizations’ role in multi-stakeholder dialogues for democratic changes in Palestine, Jordan and the occupied Palestinian territories’.

The Senior Project Officer will report directly to the Handicap International Head of Mission in Palestine, and will work in close coordination with the Regional Project Manager based in Amman, who will be responsible for overall project management and coordination.


THE PROJECT:

The ‘Strengthening Disabled People’s Organizations’ role in multi-stakeholder dialogues for democratic changes in Palestine, Jordan and the occupied Palestinian territories’ project is a regional initiative, with activities primarily based in Jordan, Palestine (West Bank and Gaza Strip)and Egypt . Activities within the project are both country-specific and regional in nature. The overall implementation period of the project is from April 2013 to March 2016. The project builds on the results of earlier initiatives carried out by Handicap International with its partners that aimed to strengthen the capacities of key leaders of the disability movement in the Middle East region.

The project seeks to ensure that Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs) in Jordan,Egypt and Palestine are acknowledged by authorities and other civil society organisation as legitimate civil society stakeholders in national policy processes.

The project is structured around 3 key components:

-Developing the skills and practical experience of national DPOs in monitoring public policies and advocating for disability rights;
-Strengthening the dialogue and interaction mechanisms on disability rights between DPOs, authorities and civil society organisations at national and regional levels,
-Sharing good practices on how DPOs influence policy making processes among the disability movement and with political and civil society stakeholders at national and regional levels.

REPONSIBILITIES:

The Senior Project Officer will be responsible for:
Leading the planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities in Palestine within the framework of the regional project.
Ensuring that activities in Palestine are implemented according to workplans developed within the national Steering Committee and in coordination with the HI regional team and other HI country teams.
Ensure that activities are led in direct synergy with other actions implemented by HI and partners in Palestine.
Communicate regularly with HI regional teams and other country teams to ensure efficient coordination of actions within the regional project framework.

Specific responsibilities of the Senior Project Officer include:

1)Activities management:
Plan and implement project activities in Palestine according to the budget dedicated and Handicap International standard procedure; co-ordinate between the project’s various stakeholders in line with the strategic direction of the overall project.
Key activities to be led in Palestine include: National training programs for DPOs; Support to preparation of national reports by DPOs on diability issues; Implementation of a micro-grant mechanism; Support to development of national advocacy strategies by DPOs; and Support to coordination and networking between DPOs, public authorities and civil society organisations.
Support the implementation of activities led at the regional level within the project framework.
Key regional activities include: Regional training programmes; Development of e-learning platform and website; Organization of regional workshops and visits; Identification of lessons learned from the project.
Implement the project monitoring system in Palestine and ensure the continuous monitoring of activities
Manage the project’s financial, logistical and material resources for activities in Palestine

2)Participation to project coordination:
Contribute to an efficient coordination and sharing of information with regional and other country-based HI teams involved in the project.
Participate in strategic and operational meetings of HI teams at the regional level.
Work closely with other members of the Palestine mission to ensure synergy and coordination between ongoing projects.

3)Internal and external reporting:

Implement and monitor data collection tools and mechanisms for HI and partners on activity implementation.
Submit periodic internal project activity updates (activity and budget follow up).
Contribute to the preparation of formal activity reports for international funding agencies according to defined schedules and requirements.

JOB ReQUIRMENTS:
The position is based in Ramallah, but will require travel within Palestine and occasional travel to other countries in the Middle East (mainly Jordan).
Ability to work under pressure in an unstable and changing environment.
Flexibility, ability to take initiatives, find solutions and facilitate decision-making within the frame of the project’s governance.
Ability to work in a team / Group leadership.
Ability to work in English and Arabic.

PROFILE SOUGHT:

A senior project officer or project manager with proven experience in managing the implementation of activities within complex international cooperation projects.

Skills:
Excellent management, organization and coordination skills.
Ability to work independently without constant supervision.
Excellent communication skills (internal within the team and external with various national and regional stakeholders).
Excellent interpersonal skills, dynamic and motivated; ability to work within a cohesive team; oriented to solutions.
Strong diplomacy and good negotiating skills.
High level written and oral presentation skills in English and Arabic (essential).
Flexibility and ability to respond to variable job demands of an international NGO.

Education and experience:

Essential:
Level of education : Degree in management or social sciences.
Experience in management of project activities, with proven skills in planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Experience in budgetary management.
Experience preparing reports for donor agencies.
Experience working with stakeholders from a variety of levels (e.g. community members to government representatives).
Experience working with grassroots civil society organisations.

Desired:
Experience working for an international NGO.
Experience working on advocacy campaigns.
Experience working on disability issues and with organisations representing persons with disabilities.
Studies and/or experience in human rights, law or policy related to disability or similar.
Knowledge of gender or human rights principles.

Initial contract will be for a period of one year (renewable) and the position is based in Ramallah
 
Handicap International is an equal opportunity employer and

Particularly welcomes applications from persons with disabilities

Interested candidates may please send their resume with cover letter so as to reach on or before 14th of August 2013 to email:
 

[email protected]

Only shotlisted candidates will be contacted.

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