Private Sector Engagement Manager

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and is at work in over 40 countries.  In response to the influx of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, the IRC provides income and livelihoods support to vulnerable Syrian refugees and host communities, through its Economic Recovery and Development Program. The objective of the program is to assist vulnerable households in the most affected areas of the Akkar and Mount Lebanon in meeting their essential needs and increasing their self-reliance; this is expected to ultimately lessen the use of negative coping strategies for survival. Interventions include unconditional cash assistance, financial management training, cash for work, access to training and business development opportunities, legal and job counseling, and job referrals through a livelihoods center. In addition, the IRC will be developing a private sector initiative aimed at (1) strengthening the capacity of existing employers to expand employment opportunities and (2) supporting the startup of microenterprises. Additional market assessments and other research are conducted under this program. The main target groups are acutely vulnerable registered and unregistered Syrian refugees and Lebanese households. The ERD program will develop synergies with the other programs implemented by the IRC in Lebanon, particularly working closely with the Protection sector to mainstream protection principles into livelihoods approaches and expand program offerings.  The ERD program will also seek synergies with the Women’s Protection and Empowerment and Children Protection sectors. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in apprenticeship programming, increasing access to finance, basic business planning or SME development. The Private Sector Engagement Manager will lead the design of the program’s private sector engagement initiatives, ensuring that activities are market-based and that business development initiatives are aligned with the objective of employment. Job Overview/Summary: The Private Sector Engagement Manager will lead the design and roll out of initiatives engaging local businesses in Akkar and Mount Lebanon, including:  working closely with the Livelihoods team to finalize approaches to apprenticeship and strategies for engaging an incentivizing local employers, developing strategies to incubate business ideas for microenterprise through the Livelihoods Centers (LCs), and working with partners to develop SME engagement and support strategies.  The main objectives of this position are: Ensure that local micro-entrepreneurs develop market feasible ideas and launch successful microenterprises, employers and SMEs receive high quality support (access to finance, training, ICT) and apprenticeship programs provide meaningful opportunities for both employers and job-seekers. Major Responsibilities: General Develop private sector engagement strategy including but not limited to beneficiary selection criteria, work plans, procurement plans, and M&E plans for apprenticeship activities and support microenterprise and existing employers in consultation with the ERD Coordinator, the Livelihoods Manager and other Program Managers at the project onset, and revise it periodically as required and based on lessons learned. Develop detailed activity plans in line with program objectives, ensuring that those plans are implemented and any expected delays and / or modifications are communicated and raised in a timely manner with the ERD Coordinator. In conjunction with the M&E team, develop monitoring and evaluation tools and databases in accordance to the M&E plan. Conduct routine monitoring visits to project sites to ensure activities are progressing as planned and are of high quality. Support the ERD Coordinator to prepare spending plans and cash projections Compile and submit monthly technical and progress reports to the ERD Coordinator. Liaise with interagency and outside technical stakeholders working on private sector engagement and SME development.  Provide representation to interagency working groups and technical bodies, in conjunction with the ERD Coordinator.  Feed into larger regional and global enterprise development and employment learning, and liaise with other IRC stakeholders to provide input on these initiatives. Ensure that all Livelihoods Center staff develop an understanding of apprenticeship and microenterprise support and how it fits within the overall strategy of the program Employer/SME Support Identify financial constraints or capacity-building needs of employers in the relevant geographic areas Identify and develop partnerships with relevant training providers and financial institutions Lead the development of a support package for SMEs with support from ERD Coordinator and Technical Advisor as well as relevant  partners and consultant services as needed and identified Entrepreneur Support Establish referral system of clients in partnership with the Senior Job and Legal Counselor and other livelihoods staff for new entrepreneurs Identify common business development needs of clients seeking to develop small and medium-enterprise Based on the needs assessment develop a series of business training modules and support for basic business planning Establish protocols for potential small grants and microfinance referrals, and work with microfinance officers to provide ongoing technical support and guidance to microenterprises.  Work with existing Microfinance Institute (MFIs) partners to ensure that responsible lending practices are being maintained Apprenticeship Work with ERD Coordinator to conduct needs and market assessment data collection to identify skills gaps and specific sectors for growth in relation to apprenticeship and Cash for Work opportunities In conjunction with ERD Coordinator and interagency groups, finalize SOPs for apprenticeship programs Adapt and train staff on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for apprenticeship programs Support the apprenticeship officer in developing and cultivating employer hosts for apprenticeship program, and the monitoring of placements.  Key Working Relationships: Position Reports to:  ERD CoordinatorPosition directly supervises:  Microenterprise officers and Apprenticeship Officers Indirect Reporting: NoneOther Internal and/or external contacts: Internal: Other ERD Managers, Job Counselors, Legal Counselors, Sr. Livelihood Officers External:  Interagency livelihoods groups, other INGOs conducting livelihoods programming, partner organizations, private sector companies and government institutions working on private sector support. Management Responsibilities Staff Management and Development Direct supervision of approximately four staff Discuss job expectations, set objectives and provide appropriate and timely feedback regarding performance, including timely implementation of the annual staff performance management system. Clearly define the training needs of direct reports and ensure they are able to access training and professional development resources appropriate to their skill gaps/needs. Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions including staff development plans. Provide leadership support for the successful implementation of and adherence to the IRC Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability to the “IRC Way” –  Global Standards for Professional Conduct Job Requirements: Managerial experience; minimum of 2-3 years is required At least 4-5 years of relevant working experience in the area of private sector support, microenterprise or SME development Demonstrated experience in business planning Demonstrated experience in access to finance Strong writing and reporting skills Strong project planning and strategic design skills Strong ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure along with a sense of humor, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.  Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility Private sector experience preferred Ability to engage both private sector actors and vulnerable beneficiaries of humanitarian assistance Personal qualities: works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well. Fluency in English and Arabic required Working Environment:  Located in Beirut, the working environment will be a combination of office-based (65%) and field-based (35%), with travel to Akkar and within nearby sites in Mount Lebanon.