Position: SN ASC Project Manager

Location: Athens

Starting Date: ASAP

Status:  Full Time

Project Summary:

The Athens Solidarity Centre (ASC), an initiative of the Open Society Foundations and SolidarityNow, is an innovative operational response to the complex and varying needs of vulnerable populations in Athens. The intervention’s ultimate objective is to enhance vulnerable populations’ integration into the Greek society by empowering them and cultivating feelings of solidarity, tolerance and respect among the different communities living in the centre of the city. The Athens Solidarity Centre along with the Thessaloniki Solidarity Centre – successfully operating since January 2014 – consist the backbone of SolidarityNow strategy to alleviate the suffering of the needy while actively working towards a more proactive, open and democratic society. The ASC offers space to new and existing civil society organizations in Greece, facilitating community solutions to pressing social and economic problems. The Centre addresses the unique needs of local communities it operates within and caters for all regardless of their nationality, religion, origins and social status. Addressing these needs demands an innovative and holistic approach and ensured synergies amongst partners.

SN manages the centre, provides services directly and coordinates activities implemented through 6 NGO partners (PRAKSIS, the National Asylum Services, “Network of Children’s Rights”, “Together for Children”, Babel and Fainareti). Services provided by the centre encompass the following areas: Welfare support (SN), Legal Aid (SN), Medical, Employability, Child Care Centre (SN), Counseling Centre and a Helpline 11525. The overall effort is being implemented with the support of and in close coordination with the Municipality of Athens and financed by the Open Society Foundations and the EU Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) programme. The ASC is based opposite Larissa Station.

Position Summary:

The Project Manager oversees the operation and services of the Athens Solidarity Centre (ASC). (S)he reports to the SN Head of Programmes and collaborates closely with the Programmes team based in Athens. This is a full-time position based in Athens with occasional travel to Thessaloniki and other international destinations, mainly for training and PR related activities (e.g. participation in conferences etc.).

Responsibilities:

The Project Manager will manage all activities of the ASC. This includes:

Project Management

• Ensures quality operations and relevant services provision to those in need in close coordination with Welfare Service Coordinator, Deputy Coordinator and Team Leaders
• Overseeing day to day activities of ASC and the implementation of all projects in the centre (both directly and through the partners) to effectively address the needs of all beneficiaries.
• Closely working and interacting with implementing partners ensuring optimum cooperation and coordination.
• Ensuring that all approved (sub) projects are implemented in a timely manner, in line with SN and donor regulations.
• Participating in the drafting, operationalization and regular updating of the Centre’s rules and regulations in cooperation with partners and SN programme management team
• Contributing to the achievement of the overall SN objectives in the fields of health, legal aid, families & children support and vulnerable groups’ protection.
• Monitoring the projects’ cycle by using relevant tools and methods (i.e. milestone indicators etc.)
• Drafting and submitting progress and other reports as per schedule and request
• Minimum budget management

Operations & HR

• Line managing technical and administrative staff and providing technical and administrative guidance as required in their day to day activities.
• Managing the SN / ASC office – personnel, finance and facilities – in line with SN policy and procedures.
• Building staff capacity through team mobilization, guidance, coaching, on the job training etc.
• Trouble-shooting

Representation

• Representing SN programme local communities, other civil society actors, local branches of the regional and state government and media in consultation and collaboration with SN programme team.

Coordination

• Organize and lead coordination meetings with staff and partners
• Participating in the drafting of new project proposals and applications.
• Participating in the drafting of other programme related documents (e.g. ToRs, logframes etc) upon relevant request
• Regularly and consistently assessing the area of intervention in order to identify possible gaps and/or needs in the provision of services
• Regularly liaise with local communities creating a vivid network of stakeholders and actors in the Area of Responsibility
• Work with team members to link humanitarian relief programmes to other programming, including advocacy

Qualifications:

Essential

• At least four years’ experience in a relief, development or advocacy agency, three of which should be in a managerial capacity.
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences or any other related fields required, Master’s degree preferred.
• Field-based project management/ implementation experience and familiarity with the civil society space and actors in Greece
• Skills in monitoring and evaluation.
• Strategic thinking /planning skills
• Understanding of humanitarian sector, issues and mechanisms
• Fluency in Greek and English
• Good writing and presentation skills
• Strong negotiation skills
• Lead by example: Be flexible and respectful to partners and staff. Exercise authority without aggression

Desirable

• Familiar and or experienced in Media Representation
• Operational Experience in relief sector in projects providing assistance to people on the move
• Familiar with Needs Assessments and Evaluations
• Knowledge of institutional donors’ framework

If you are interested in applying, please fill send your CV and motivation letter to recruitment@solidaritynow.org by Monday, July 24th 2017, mentioning in the email subject “SN ASC Project Manager”.

SN is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with disabilities and from vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Due to the urgency of recruitment, SN reserves the right to complete the process even before the deadline for CV submissions.