Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development Officer (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the link provided)

PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently works in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps is committed to generating positive opportunities for women, men, boys and girls from Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian communities, with a strong focus on engaging youth.  Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping build secure, productive and just communities. We do this through:

• Addressing the humanitarian and protection needs resulting from crisis situations for the most vulnerable communities
• Enabling local communities, civil society and government to better prevent and respond to conflict, address needs and deliver sustainable development solutions
• Promoting economic growth and catalysing economic opportunities for vulnerable, under-employed groups in Lebanon

Our programs focus on four sectors:  Economic Opportunities, Governance and Social Stability, Youth and Protection, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). The Mercy Corps Lebanon team consists of over 180 staff working across six offices throughout Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon, Tripoli and the Bekaa Valley.

The “Market-Based Opportunities and Skills Training for Women and Youth” is a $10 million CAD integrated three-year (anticipated October 2018 - November 2021) program designed to improve livelihood opportunities for women and youth (aged 15-34) from vulnerable populations. The program will target youth between the ages of 15-24, as well as young adults between the ages of 25-34 from Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian families, with a specific focus on women and girls in the target areas.  The overall objective is that women and youth are empowered and valued for playing an active economic role within their households and communities in Saida, Barja, Nabatiyeh, and Tripoli.

The primary objectives of the program are that:

1. Women and youth are gainfully employed or self-employed as a result of program interventions;
2. Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Startups improve their capacity to develop their businesses and hire women and youth;
3. Women and youth have a supportive enabling environment for their economic activities

Recognizing that a supportive environment is essential to address barriers that prevent women from taking an active economic role, the project will be underpinned by community outreach to increase support for enhancing the skills of women and girls, and their expanded participation in the workforce. Project activities will also support businesses to develop gender-inclusive practices to increase hiring and retention of women, and an analysis of barriers impeding women and girls from accessing skills and job opportunities will also be conducted. Following this, the project will identify services that enable women and youth to overcome barriers to employment (such as day care and transportation), and will help develop such services.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The MSME Development Officer will lead the field implementation and coordination of MSME support activities in Barja, Saida and surrounding areas to ensure the program targets businesses and start-ups that have potential to create employment and other additional knock on effects for the local economy.  Working closely with local partners, the SME Officer will work closely with selected SMEs to achieve key deliverables in the SME development component, and will provide ongoing monitoring of businesses supported.   Specific attention will be paid to ensuring adapted approaches which respond to barriers to employment for women.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Ensure the integration of adapted approaches to respond to barriers to women and youth’s engagement in the workforce;

Organizational Learning 

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve.  We expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: N/A

ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Senior MSME Coordinator

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Operations, Finance, Program Performance, Program Managers, and M&E Focal Points, Partner organizations

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• BA/S or equivalent in social science, women’s studies, management, economics, international development, or other relevant field
• Proficient command of English (notably in writing / reporting)
• One to two years of progressive experience with MSMEs/Startups, and proven high level of competence in working in economic and market development, research and/or development-related programs
• Proven ability to successfully implement economic development programming focused on trainings and beneficiary selection
• Experience carrying out technical assessments or surveys with a team in one or more of the following: Needs assessment, Value Chains, or Socio-Economic Research
• Experience with relief and socio-economic development work across a range of stakeholders including Private Sector, NGOs, and Local government;
• Proven ability to access to conduct outreach to network of MSME’s, government officials, NGOs, and potential participants.
• Deep knowledge of the South and Mount-Lebanon contexts, in particular Saida and lower Shouf , economic challenges, social stability and resilience mechanisms, relevant to internal conflict preferred;
• Proven track record in staff and stakeholder training and capacity building
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Ability and interest to work with a multi-ethnic team in a culturally appropriate manner

SUCCESS FACTORS:

A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to promote new approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will have proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results.  Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humour.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.