Project Coordinator

Terms of Reference

Job Title: Project Coordinator

Reporting to: Assistant Director General

Introduction on SPNL

SPNL is one of the oldest environmental NGOs in Lebanon. It was established in 1983 under the Lebanese Laws, and licensed by the Ministry of Interior by decision no. 6/AD dated 8/1/1986.

SPNL is a national, non-geographic, non-sectorial, non-political environmental NGO. SPNL is the national partner for BirdLife International in Lebanon. It considers birds as entry points for the conservation of wider natural resources, as they act as key indicators of the status and health of ecosystems. It is a member in IUCN, MedWet, Med NGO network, WANA Forum, and a founding member of the Lebanese Environment Forum. It is important to note that SPNL has signed an agreement of cooperation with “Shepherds with no Borders” (who are experts in grazing management, and linking it to ecotourism). SPNL’s mission revolves around the protection of nature, birds and biodiversity of Lebanon for people, and the promotion of sustainable use of natural resources for people and with them, through the Hima approach.

SPNL has a long experience in scientific research (mainly avifauna and biodiversity), education and awareness, advocacy and networking, and community development.

The main programme for BirdLife International partners is the Important Bird Areas programme. SPNL adopts scientific field research in order to identify IBAs1 /KBAs2 in Lebanon comparing the results to internationally adopted criteria. In collaboration with ARocha Lebanon, SPNL identified 15 IBAs distributed all over the country and diversified in habitats, ecosystems, social and cultural assets.

Ever since its establishment in 1986, SPNL advocated the establishment of protected areas and initiated with the Ministry of Environment the protected areas in Lebanon. After twenty years of experience working with nature reserves through government agencies, SPNL is now reviving and advocating the Hima community based conservation approach that has been prevalent in the Arabic region for more than 1500 years.

SPNL has a solid experience in rural development and livelihoods enhancement through community based approaches. Since 2004, SPNL is promoting the “Hima” community based approach for the conservation of these key biodiversity sites in collaboration with municipalities-local authorities. This approach concentrates on the involvement of local communities in decision making, promotes sustainable use of natural resources, and supports poverty alleviation through providing alternatives for income generation.

Since 2004, SPNL has re-established 24 Himas, in key biodiversity areas; namely Ebeles-Saqi in South of Lebanon, Anjar and KfarZabad wetland in Central Bekaa Valley, West Baalback, Qoleileh and Mansouri in the southern coast, Maabour Alabiad in Upper Akkar, Andket in Akkar, Menjez and Charbein in Upper Hermel-, Jdeidet El-Fakiha in North Bekaa, Roum and Qaytouli in Jezzine, AinZebdeh & Kherebet Anafar, Qaroun & Aitanit in West Bekaa, Jbeil, Tarshish, Aakoura, Kayfoun, Ras Al Maten and Hammana in Mount Lebanon, and Anfeh in Keserwan. Himas concentrate on empowering local communities, upgrading their quality of life and improving their livelihood in addition to promoting the sustainable use of the natural resources in collaboration with the municipalities and local communities.

SPNL is merging the traditions and values of the Hima approach with the modern scientific techniques, such as identification of ecological sites, stakeholder analysis, and using participatory approaches for involving the local communities from the visioning, planning, and implementation.

Hima projects concentrates on scientific research (social & ecological), situation analysis, and developing management plan for the Hima sites that takes into consideration poverty alleviation & providing alternative ecologically friendly job opportunities for the local communities that raises their livelihood and quality of life (such as ecotourism, Bed & breakfast facilities, visitor centers, guiding in nature, cultural artisana and food,….).

SPNL builds its interventions based on the situation analysis and community needs. It also promotes the establishment of partnerships / or multi-stakeholder platforms that involves different partners & stakeholders on the ground.

The Hima approach concentrates on the involvement of local community through its participatory framework. It makes sure to involve under-privileged groups such as women and youth, and concentrates on their empowerment to be active members in the society. SPNL applies gender sensitive planning and targeting to make sure women are well served in development programs. Women committees and cooperatives are an example of social assets promoted by SPNL.

SPNL has developed 5 programmes under the Hima programme, namely: Hima School, Homat Hima, Souk Hima, Hima to Hima, and Hima farm programmes.

Overall Purpose of the Job:

  1. To ensure implementation of SPNL projects / programmes within highest quality standards & donor requirements.

  2. Lead on the implementation and coordination of “Homat Al Hima Programme”.

MAIN DUTIES/WORK RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support in Strategy development & planning for the organization

  • Participates in strategic meetings & brainstorming sessions for the organization.

  • Represent SPNL in meeting, conferences, media, networks,….

  • Liaising with relevant partners, including governmental entities and civil society, such as NGOs, academia, research centers, etc., for maximizing the effectiveness of the expected results.

Leads on all issues with regards to the effective, efficient and quality implementation of the projects/programmes (result based management):

  • Ensure that the project’s activities are implemented according to best practices and are in line with the project document approved by donor; and the timely delivery of reporting;

  • Ensure synergy between projects and adaptive management as needed.

  • develop documents as required by the projects / programme (reports, workplans, best practice manuals, books, ….) to ensure high quality sustainable results.

  • Contribute to sufficient and timely communication and visibility of projects/programmes activities and outputs involving different int’l, national and local actors and partners.

  • Follow up on project expenditure as compared to donor requirements.

Qualifications and Experience:

  1. Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies, or Community Development, Public Health or related field with considerable knowledge in Environmental issues. Or Bachelor’s degree with 3 – 4 years experience.

  2. Around 3-4 years of experience in managing and coordinating development or environment related programs.

  3. Strong commitment to conservation and community development.

  4. Strong analytical skills, a team player, dedication to perform within a multi-disciplinary collaboration, and the capacity to communicate efficiently and coordinate with a wide spectrum of partners, including NGOs, government, private sector, and other stakeholders.

  5. Highly organized, able to sort and retrieve information at short notice, attention to detail, able to track and work to multiple deadlines. Ability to understand and accept changes in priorities, and adapt to different people and situations easily. Ability to manage multiple tasks and allocate time effectively against competing demands.

  6. Fluency and good writing skills in English and Arabic.

  7. Excellent computer skills in application, including word, excel, power point and Internet.

  8. Excellent communication and presentation skills, and ability to interact with different categories of the society.

  9. Familiarity with the work of the NGOs, and communities,…

1 Important Bird Areas

2 Key Biodiversity Areas