Micro Enterprise Support Officer - Beirut

Background

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 (ERD). The objective of the program is to assist vulnerable households in the most affected areas 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 cash for work, access to training and business development opportunities, legal and job counseling, and job referrals through a livelihoods center. 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

Position Overview:

The Microenterprise Support Officer will be responsible for leading efforts to support existing employers and new micro-entrepreneurs to develop their businesses, acquire skills and gain access to finance.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Microenterprise Support Officer, the Microenterprise Support Officer (MES Officer) will:

Major Responsibilities

General Responsibilities:

• Support the Microenterprise Support Senior Officer in developing 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 Senior Microenterprise support officer.
• Outreach for the Microenterprise Support program in Mount Lebanon
• Support in Outreach activities when needed in Akkar, Wadi Khaled and T5 region
• Support micro-entrepreneurs to write business plans and other forms for participating in the IRC cash grant application process
• Provide training sessions and Business Development Services/business coaching to micro-entrepreneurs/ERD program beneficiaries with the support of partners or external consultants
• Ensure effective and proper follow-up on supported businesses and startups In coordination with the Senior Microenterprise Support Officer, suggest amendments to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for microenterprise support, as needed.
• Produce statistics and reports, as and when required.
• Identify opportunities for program development and communicate these to Senior Microenterprise Support Officer.
• Ensure proper documentation for the program, including documentation of success stories.
• Coordinate with IRC Communications team to ensure visibility of microenterprise support program.
• Provide support in preparing for and being present during donor visits.
• Provide support in Private sector mapping and other support related to funding opportunities and proposal applications. 
• Support and conduct field visits to other Micro Enterprises in T5, Akkar and Wadi Khaled if needed.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Support to Existing Employers:

• Conduct assessments to determine challenges, gaps, and support needs of local vendors and MSMEs.
• Carry out assessments and analyze data to determine specific interventions that would help businesses better manage day to day needs and support overall growth.
• With the support of Senior Microenterprise Support Officer r, identify targeted business skills and financial management training needs of ERD program beneficiaries (including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise).
• With the support of Senior Microenterprise Support Officer identify, adapt, develop relevant training materials and corresponding monitoring tools.
• Ensure appropriate supervision of trainings delivered by Micro Finance Institutions (MFI) partner.
• Participate in designing and leading the collection and analysis of data on relevant trainings and any follow up with participants.

Support to New Entrepreneurs:

• Coordinate entrepreneur referrals from other departments.
• Adjust support models based on feedback from SMEs and monitoring information.

Professional Standards:

All IRC staff are required to adhere to THE IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Senior Microenterprise Support Officer

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Other MEAL staff, Cash, others.

External: Partner staff

REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• University Degree in Business Management, Marketing, Accounting, or a related field.
• Postgraduate degree is an advantage, but it is not required.

Work Experience:

• 2-3 years of experience working with or in the private sector.
• Previous experience in the areas of microfinance, business planning or business management is a plus.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Knowledge of private sector situation/networks in Lebanon.
• Public speaking and presentation skills.
• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Strong project planning and strategic design skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (specifically Word and Excel) and web-based applications.

Language Skills:

• Fluent in oral and written Arabic with strong English skills.

Travel and other requirements: Staff will be based in Achrafieh-HQ with frequent travel will be required to the other field office in Akkar and Wadi Khaled.