Expertise France recruits for this project, a Project Director, who will lead and manage a grants-based project for peace-building initiatives aimed at fostering stability and resilience in fragile and conflict-affected areas. This role is responsible for strategic planning, project oversight, team leadership, stakeholder relations, budget management and ensuring compliance with agency and donor standards.

The Project Director will also liaise directly with Expertise France’s headquarters in Paris, aligning project objectives with organizational goals and ensuring successful implementation of peace-building activities through effective resource management and compliance oversight.

The Project Director will work closely with international agencies, regional and local partners, government entities, and other stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of project objectives. This includes managing continuous conflict-sensitivity analyses and needs assessments to align activities with the “Do No Harm” principle.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Project Leadership and Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive project strategy and work plan aligned with the project’s logical framework and donor requirements.
• Lead the design, planning, and execution of project activities, ensuring the alignment of grants with project goals and peace-building priorities.
• Oversee project risk assessments, adapting strategies to respond to dynamic conditions in the field.
• Integrate ongoing conflict-sensitivity analyses and community needs assessments into strategy implementation to ensure activities address local challenges effectively.

2. Grants Management

• Manage the grant lifecycle, including identifying funding opportunities, reviewing grant proposals, and overseeing sub-grant awards to partners.
• Ensure strict compliance with Expertise France regulations, organizational policies, and legal frameworks.
• Develop, review, and approve grant agreements, budgets, and work plans for all project partners.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of funded initiatives, conducting detailed assessments to inform future strategy.

3. Budget and Resource Management

• Responsible for budget commitment, resource allocation, and financial oversight, ensuring optimal use of project funds.
• Coordinate with the Administrative and Financial Officer to monitor and report on project expenditures, maintaining alignment with budget forecasts and donor requirements.

• Provide regular project updates and reports to Expertise France HQ, ensuring transparent and accurate communication of project outcomes, challenges, and financial status.

4. Project Office Management and Team Leadership

• Manage the project office based in Jerusalem, ensuring it operates efficiently and in accordance with agency standards.
• Lead and coordinate project teams, fostering a collaborative, results-driven environment.
• Supervise and guide the work of the project’s technical experts, ensuring high-quality technical input.

5. Stakeholder Relations and Partnership Building

• Manage relationships with key stakeholders, including local government entities, NGOs, international agencies, and community leaders.
• Act as the primary liaison between the project and Expertise France headquarters in Paris, maintaining open communication to align project activities with organizational goals.
• Facilitate meetings, workshops, and roundtable discussions to promote collaboration, share insights, and advance peacebuilding goals.

6. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Oversee the development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation framework to assess grant impact and project progress in coordination with the MEAL officer (regarding data collection, data analysis, reporting activities, ensuring evidence-based decision-making and accountability).
• Conduct project management exercises required by head office, ensuring alignment with reporting standards.
• Prepare and submit progress and impact reports, providing accurate and transparent updates on project outcomes.

7. Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure strict adherence to agency and donor standards, regulations, and compliance requirements throughout project implementation.
• Identify, assess, and manage risks to mitigate potential challenges and ensure effective project execution.