Project Director (M/W)

Expertise France is the public agency for designing and implementing international technical cooperation projects. The agency operates around four key priorities :

democratic, economic, and financial governance ;
peace, stability, and security ;
climate, agriculture, and sustainable development ;
health and human development ;

In these areas, Expertise France conducts capacity-building initiatives and manages project implementation, leveraging technical expertise and acting as a project coordinator. This involves combining public sector expertise with private sector skills to drive impactful results.

The “Empowering Palestinian and Israeli Civil Societies Along with Local Media for Community Resilience and Dialogue” project, implemented by Expertise France over an initial period of 18 months, aims to support local actors in addressing community-specific challenges. The project focuses on strengthening the capacities of civil society organizations and media to foster resilience and encourage dialogue, while amplifying the voices of peacebuilders, particularly within communities in Gaza, the West Bank, Israel, and the diaspora.

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.

1. Education
Master’s degree in international relations, peace and conflict studies, political science, social sciences, project management or a related field.
Project management certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) is highly desirable.
Certification in conflict-sensitivity or trauma-informed approaches is highly desirable.

2. Professional Experience
At least 10 years of experience in project or program management, with 5+ years specifically in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, international development, or a related area.
Demonstrated experience working in fragile, conflict-affected regions.
Proven track record in managing grants, multi-stakeholder projects, including budget oversight, personnel management, and reporting.
Demonstrated ability to plan, execute, monitor, and evaluate projects, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards
Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and interact with governmental and non-governmental actors
Demonstrated experience in international projects implementation, with preference given to EU-funded projects.

3. Technical Knowledge and Skills
Deep understanding of peacebuilding, media pluralism, conflict analysis, and post-conflict recovery processes.
Familiarity with peacebuilding frameworks, rights-based approaches, and media support.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to conduct risk assessments and adapt strategies to changing conflict dynamics.

4. Leadership and People Management
Proven ability to lead diverse, multidisciplinary teams, ideally across various locations.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with local communities, government officials, OCSs, NGOs, and international agencies.
Demonstrated conflict-sensitive approach to project management, fostering inclusivity and cultural respect.
Strong leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
5. Stakeholders Engagement and Negotiation
Experience in liaising with governments, UE/UN agencies, and other international and local stakeholders.
Skilled in negotiation and diplomacy, with the ability to manage complex relationships and conflicting priorities effectively.

6. Language Skills

· Proficiency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of Arabic or French is an advantage.

7. Personal Attributes
High level of emotional intelligence, patience, and resilience.
Strong ethical commitment and dedication to peacebuilding principles.
Adaptability to navigate volatile environments and respond to community needs.

8. Additional Requirements
Willingness and ability to work in high-risk locations and remotely if necessary.

· Position based in Jerusalem, full-time. Jerusalem is a non-family duty station.

· The Project Director will manage a team of approximately 10 staff members, divided between Paris and Jerusalem. The team includes technical experts, administrative support, and field coordinators.