The Economic and Social Fund for Development (ESFD) is a public entity linked to the President of the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) with a mandate of poverty alleviation in Lebanon.  Since its inception in 2002, the ESFD has launched many programs to improve living conditions.

The ESFD is currently implementing the EUR 22 million EU funded Local Development Programme along the Litani River Basin (LRB Programme), designed to complement the efforts deployed by the Government of Lebanon to address the pollution of the river in accordance with law 63/2016.  The LRB programme includes well targeted and integrated interventions aiming at improving local governance, pollution abatement, and industrial and agricultural private sector development, creating employment opportunities, enhancing capacities of public institutions, and improving municipal service delivery.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Crisis Prevention and Crisis Recovery Programme Specialist, the Project Manager assumes managerial responsibility for the project implementation.  The Project Manager ensures the achievement of project outputs and deliverables in line with the agreed upon timetables and budgets and coordinates project activities.

Manage effective Strategic Planning:

• Coordinate and facilitate meetings with relevant stakeholders to develop project strategic directions, project scope, proposals, and concept notes;
• Develop and maintain annual workplans and corresponding budget plans with clearly stated milestones contributing to the achievement of target outputs defined in the project document (PRODOC);
• Plan and develop project budgets, allocate funds from various donors to projects’ outputs and activities, monitor expenditures and create updated financial forecasts and records;
• Ensure the design and implementation of a project approach that reinforces and monitors a) participation; b) conflict sensitivity; and c) gender equity and empowerment of women and youth;
• Prepare any follow-on project proposals as per the needs identified in UNDP.

Lead, manage, monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities.

• Manage the realization of project outputs and results through activities in line with the agreed upon timetables and budgets and monitor progress against the initial quality criteria;
• Recruit, assign tasks and responsibilities to the project staff and supervise their performance;
• Organize regular meetings for the project team members to assess work progress, address challenges and constraints, and provide guidance and support;
• Manage and monitor the project risks by maintaining  the Project Risk Log and updating the status of risks;
• Carry out reporting responsibilities on monthly, quarterly, and annual basis to donors based on specific donor’s requirements and guidelines. 
• Monitor and evaluate activities implemented by partners and coordinate project evaluations, as necessary;
• Supervise consultants and evaluate their performance in delivering individual outputs as described in the TOR;
• Ensure relevant project outputs, best practices, and lessons learned are disseminated in compliance with the quality requirements of the implementing agency, UNDP, and other donors;
• Assist UNDP Program Officer in closing projects operationally and financially in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations and in close coordination with implementing agencies;
• Perform Team Manager and Project Support roles when needed.

Develop relationships and provide advisory support:

• Establish and maintain strong working relationship with project partners, government institutions, public service agencies, local authorities, international and local NGOs, CBOs, representatives of local communities and beneficiaries and support the establishment of stronger working relations between different entities to ensure coordination and cooperation across the sectors;
• Undertake required efforts for resource mobilization with various bilateral donors and trust funds opportunities;
• Develop tailored proposals to meet the specific requirements of various donors and funding opportunities, aligning them with the project's objectives.

Operational Coordination and Management:

• Prepare TORs and relevant documents for required inputs (individual and institutional consultancy services, procurement of goods, organization of training, seminars, etc.) with expert technical support as required;
• Manage and assess the work of technical experts and consultants;
• Regularly review and evaluate the performance of outsourced activities, identifying areas for improvement and implementing corrective measures as needed.
• Facilitate communication and coordination among stakeholders, ensuring that all parties involved in outsourced activities are well-informed and aligned with project goals and timelines. Maintain documentation and records related to these activities for reference and reporting purposes.
• Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
• Confirm and attest to the satisfactory completion of outsourced project activities.             

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Manager will be working under the direct supervision of the CPCR Programme Specialist.