Economic Recovery Officer – Business Development

Contract

This is a DRC - National contract. More about DRC - National contracts.

DRC has been responding to various humanitarian crises in Lebanon since 2004, working with Palestinian, Iraqi and Syrian refugees. DRC received registration from the Ministry of Interior in 2011, and since then has focused primarily on responding to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon and the resulting impact on Lebanese host community. DRC Lebanon’s focus is to ensure that we are able to respond to critical emerging humanitarian needs whilst improve the living conditions of displacement-affected populations and contribute to the achievement of durable solutions. With an annual portfolio of $12million, and with approximately 200+ staff, DRC is focusing its response in protection and economic recovery (Ec-Rec) sector in Bekka, North Lebanon and Beirut. DRC is also contributing to the evidence base and coordination structures in country through our Evidence Generation and referral information management (RIMs) teams.

About the job

The Economic Recovery Officer will be based in Bekaa as a member of the Economic Recovery department. The Economic Recovery Officer will play a key role in implementing various Economic Recovery programs, and be specifically responsible for the technical oversight of the business development (for micro, small and medium enterprises), the local economic development with municipalities and business clusters. S/he will particularly focus on supporting vulnerable MSMEs to develop their potential, in a value-chain and local business cluster approach. S/he will also work closely with municipalities to support their local economic development plan. The officer will also coordinate with relevant partners and activities within the project. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Program Implementation:

• Lead on the MSMEs support, design processes and implementation in order to deliver maximum impact;
• Contribute to and implement the tools for MSMEs support including assessment tools, selection tools and follow-up tools;
• Coordinate financial and operational feasibility studies for MSME support packages that promote job growth and employment;
• Facilitate field coordination of assistance to micro, small and medium enterprise (MSMEs), limited in-kind grants and linkages to existing business support services to lower risks and strengthen the ability of companies to grow their workforce; ;
• Build relationships with unions and local municipalities to introduce the project and facilitate access to information related to project activities and scope. Arrange for meetings with local entities and authorities, as requested;
• Work closely with the cash-for-work team to ensure that their projects could support the local economic development plans developed/shared with the municipalities; ;
• Contribute to the analysis of data collected to facilitate assessment results and lessons learnt;
• Prepare weekly reports to be submitted to the Team Leader. Contribute to quarterly reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor and internal requirements;
• Oversee the successful implementation of program activities, ensuring that assistants are following work plans, that activities are on schedule, and that program deliverables are completed as promised;
• Conduct field assessments, make recommendations about the needs and vulnerabilities of the target populations in the program objectives;
• Provide day-to-day oversight and coordination, including administrative, financial and logistical support; Troubleshoot any administrative problems and report any challenges or bottlenecks to Team Leader;
• Ensure strong engagement with beneficiaries targeted in DRC economic recovery program and make sure their enquiries are answered in a timely manner.
• Assist in conducting market assessment of the areas of intervention and determining program intervention priorities based on needs and existing resources.
• Participate in field based research activities related to DRC economic recovery programing
• Establish and maintain contact and productive working relationships with community representatives, local and international organization, beneficiaries and employers.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Work closely with the monitoring and evaluation department to facilitate monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure program implementation is on track and of highest quality.
• Contributes to the analysis of data collected to facilitate assessment results and lessons learn

Administration

• In case needed, assist in the recruitment of qualified and experienced staff, trainers, and consultants if required.

• Work closely with operational staff to ensure a proper management and follow up on order requests, payment requests and financial forecast of program activities. In particular, the economic recovery Officer is in charge of all the HR and administration, including procurement, that is directly in relation with the job placement and private sector.

  About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a minimum of a Bachelor University degree; preferably related to business management, international development, and economics. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• 2 years’ minimum experience with INGOs, preferably in Livelihoods, or related sectors, which would include experience with the following activities:
• Proven ability to successfully implement economic development programming including grants and technical assistance for municipalities and MSMEs beneficiaries;
• Experience carrying out in-depth assessments of MSMEs to identify bottlenecks, challenges and potential for growth;
• Experience working for municipalities’ local economic development;
• Experience creating and managing detailed action/project plans and assessing impact to timelines and budget for change in scope or pivot in direction;
• Experience drafting detailed requirements for use by third parties to execute against;
• Experience managing a team;
• Proven ability to liaise with a network of government officials, NGOs, and potential implementing partners;
• Knowledge of the local market and vulnerabilities.
• Conducting market assessments.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

• Contract length: 6 months renewable based on performance and availability of funds
• Band/Level: H
• Duty Station: Bekaa
• Start date: March 2022

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact [email protected]

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 19 February 2022

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.