Project Coordinator (Agriculture and Livelihoods)

Disclaimer: Please note that this position is contingent upon the successful securing and formal signing of the project.

Background

Mada is seeking a Project Coordinator for a potential agriculture and rural development project in North Lebanon. The project aims to support small-scale farmers and strengthen agricultural value chains through a combination of technical and productive support, farmer capacity building, improved access to agricultural and business services, stronger market linkages, and increased cooperation between farmers and other value-chain actors.

 

The Project Coordinator will play a central role in managing the project and ensuring that its different components operate as one coherent intervention. The position requires someone who can take ownership of implementation, manage a multidisciplinary team and multiple workstreams, coordinate with a wide range of external actors, and independently identify and resolve implementation challenges.

 

The Project Coordinator will work under the overall supervision of Mada’s Program Manager and will be based at Mada’s Tripoli office, with frequent field presence in North Lebanon.

 

Description

The Project Coordinator will take the lead on the management and implementation of the project, with a high level of autonomy and responsibility. As such, he/she is expected to independently plan, coordinate and follow up implementation; manage the project team and external stakeholders; anticipate and resolve operational issues; and ensure that activities, procurement, budget follow-up, monitoring and reporting remain on track.

The Program Manager will provide strategic oversight, guidance and support on major decisions. The Project Coordinator is therefore expected to manage routine project implementation independently and bring issues to the Program Manager when strategic input or management decisions are required.

 

Responsibilities and Tasks

Project Management and Implementation

• Lead day-to-day management and implementation and ensure that activities are delivered on time and according to agreed objectives, workplans and budgets.
• Develop and update detailed project workplans, schedules and priorities.
• Coordinate the components of the project and ensure strong links between them.
• Ensure clear allocation of responsibilities within the project team and systematically follow up on agreed tasks and deadlines.
• Anticipate implementation bottlenecks, delays and risks and take appropriate action to address them.
• Resolve routine implementation issues independently and escalate significant issues requiring management input together with a clear analysis and proposed solutions.

Team Management and Coordination

• Provide day-to-day management, guidance and follow-up to the project team.
• Directly supervise an Agriculture Engineer and ensure that technical activities, training and field accompaniment are delivered properly.
• Supervise field facilitators/staff and ensure effective coordination and information flow between field teams and Mada.
• Hold regular coordination meetings and ensure that decisions and agreed actions are followed up.
• Ensure strong coordination between programme, technical, MEAL, finance, procurement and administrative functions.

Stakeholder and Partnership Management

• Act as the main focal point for project implementation with all stakeholders.
• Coordinate with municipalities, relevant public authorities, the Ministry of Agriculture and other institutions as needed.
• Represent Mada in routine project meetings and coordination spaces when required.
• Prepare for and lead routine donor/project coordination and follow-up meetings where relevant, while involving the Program Manager in strategic, contractual or significant implementation matters.

Monitoring, Reporting and Accountability

• Work with Mada’s MEAL team to implement monitoring tools and systems.
• Coordinate baseline assessments, beneficiary/farmer profiling, data collection and regular project monitoring.
• Monitor implementation against the project’s results framework, indicators, workplan and targets.
• Maintain a clear overview of progress across all project components and identify areas requiring corrective action.
• Ensure that project data and supporting documentation are complete, accurate and available on time.
• Prepare narrative internal and donor reports.
• Ensure proper documentation and archiving of activities and supporting evidence.
• Ensure accountability, transparency and inclusive participation throughout project implementation.
• Ensure that beneficiary communication is clear and that feedback, complaints, bottlenecks and emerging concerns are identified and appropriately followed up.

Budget, Procurement and Operational Oversight

• Maintain regular oversight of the project budget and ensure that spending remains aligned with implementation plans and approved budget lines.
• Ensure regular follow-up with Mada’s Finance Manager, identify under- or overspending early and propose corrective measures where needed.
• Review project financial information from a programme perspective and ensure consistency between expenditure and implementation progress.
• Work closely with Mada’s Procurement Manager to plan procurement sufficiently in advance and avoid implementation delays.
• Lead the programme side of procurement processes, including preparation of technical specifications and Bills of Quantities where relevant, contribution to scoring matrices, review of technical offers and follow-up of contracts and deliveries.
• Coordinate recruitment of consultants, facilitators, coaches, enumerators and other short-term project personnel with Mada’s HR team, including preparation of Terms of Reference and participation in selection processes.

Management Communication

• Keep the Program Manager informed through structured weekly updates covering implementation progress, upcoming priorities, budget status, procurement, team performance, risks and issues requiring attention.
• Immediately escalate significant risks, contractual issues, major delays or decisions requiring management approval.
• When escalating a problem, provide the relevant information and, whenever possible, a recommended solution or options for decision.
• Ensure that routine operational matters are managed at project level without requiring continuous follow-up from the Program Manager.
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Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in Rural Development, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Development Studies, Project Management, Social Sciences or another relevant field.
• Minimum 3 years of progressively responsible experience in project coordination or project management, preferably in agriculture, livelihoods, rural development or value-chain programmes.
• Prior experience working with international donors, NGOs or development agencies in a similar position is required.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of implementation and manage a project with limited day-to-day supervision.
• Strong team-management skills and experience supervising staff, consultants and/or field teams. Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, deadlines and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Strong written and spoken English and Arabic.
• Command of Microsoft Office and standard project-management/reporting tools.
• Previous experience working in North Lebanon is an asset.
• Valid driving licence is required, and ability and willingness to travel frequently to project locations in North Lebanon.

Interested candidates must submit the following documents to vacancy@mada.org.lb:

Updated CV: Please name the file as Name – Position Title, highlighting relevant experience.

Cover Letter: Please name the file as Name – Position Title, including a detailed description of relevant previous work experience.

Email subject: Please use the following format: Name – Position Title.

Please note that applications that do not follow these guidelines will be automatically rejected.