Business Advisor

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Your key responsibilities and accountabilities will include:

• Be resourceful and use desk and field research creatively and independently to compile a list of sub-sectors, and target companies to approach.
• Use personal and professional networks to make linkages, identify networking opportunities and initiate collaborations that will generate leads.
• Engage with SMEs that could benefit from the programs and onboard them after a criteria-fit assessment and initial needs assessment.
• Understand the requirements/needs of SMEs and the source of business problems and suggest solutions accordingly.
• Perform a thorough diagnosis of the SMEs; quickly grasp the challenges and recommend solutions as well as technical assistance allowing the beneficiary to grow their sales, create sustainable jobs, and have an impact on their immediate environment.
• Advise and encourage the buyer-led approach to beneficiary SMEs: produce what you can sell, not sell what you can produce.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Education: Master’s degree in engineering, business, and/or economics
• Experience: At least 7 to 10 years in the private sector, preferably in a position managing or assisting SMEs, ideally in the agriculture and/or agri-food sectors
• Language: Fluent in Arabic and English, French is a plus

Additional Skills:

• Willingness/ability to travel throughout Lebanon, as needed, to deliver on the assignment.
• Able to perform at a quick pace and in a changing environment.
• Business acumen and experience: able to assess the SMEs’ needs, set KPIs, design technical assistance support scheme, evaluate if a business proposition is worth pursuing.
• Analytical thinking with excellent planning and organization skills.
• Customer orientation to deal with beneficiaries and donors.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trustworthy and professional relationships with business owners and community members.
• Maintain and develop a robust personal and professional network.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to learn new tools and methodologies to perform the assignment better.