Job Counseling and Placement Officer

1. PROFILE

ACTED is looking for a self-motivated applicant with good inter-personal skills and networking abilities. A job counseling and placement officer needs to have the ability to express empathy and an authentic desire to help TVET beneficiaries find appropriate employment. The selected applicant will be expected to take the time to provide personalized and adapted counseling to each beneficiaries of the program. Active listening, social and cultural perceptiveness, persuasion, negotiation and time management are some of the main skills needed to successfully fill this position.

2. ABOUT ACTED

ACTED is an international NGO that has been registered in Leba­non since 2006. It has an established country office in Beirut as well as a field office in Akkar. More recently, it has been carrying out activities in the South and in Tripoli.

ACTED works closely with local authorities and civil society stakeholders at the com­munity level to implement priori­ty humanitarian interventions such as Livelihoods projects, WASH projects (including disease monitoring and infrastructural and be­havioral response), and Shelter interven­tions incorporating multiple modalities. ACTED is also implementing long-term development projects to rehabilitate infrastructure, improv­e agricultural production, increase livelihood opportunities and support state and non-state ac­tors to improve service deliv­ery and social stability through col­lective development planning.

ACTED responds to emergency and develop­ment needs through a community driven approach which focuses on engagement and capacity building of local civil soci­ety and local authorities, with the aim of promoting accountable governance and civic engagement. Moreover, ACTED in Lebanon seeks to support private sector actors to become the key driv­ers in Lebanon’s economic development with the goal of raising the living standards of Lebanese and refugee households, and improving the coping capacity of local communities.

3. PROJECT BACKGROUND

Alliance2015 is a strategic partnership of seven European non-governmental organizations engaged in humanitarian and development activities. The Alliance2015 members operating in Lebanon include ACTED (France), Cesvi (Italy), Concern Worldwide (Ireland),  Hivos (The Netherlands).

The Alliance2015 Partnership, represented by lead agency ACTED, Cesvi, Concern and Hivos, is running a programme that aims to address root causes of conflict and instability in Lebanon, through the creation of sustainable income-generating and livelihood opportunities for vulnerable populations. Over three years, Alliance2015 partners will work directly with 1,800 individuals, 18 Social Development Centers (SDCs) and at least 27 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Lebanon. The integrated programme targets vulnerable communities with economic inclusion activities through three main pathways: (1) Building the capacity of SDCs leads to an improved delivery of livelihood-related services; (2) Improving the technical and soft skills of vulnerable individuals to ensure increased economic opportunity and reduce negative coping mechanisms and tensions and (3) Improving the capacity of the private sector leads to growth and job creation. Activities include providing livelihood-related resources, assets and renovations to each targeted SDC; offering Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and soft skills training, paid apprenticeship programs and job-matching services to vulnerable individuals; and providing businesses development services and value chain support to MSMEs.

4.  JOB OVERVIEW

The Job Counseling and Placement Officer will be responsible for organizing career counseling sessions for the TVETs beneficiaries, including CV and cover letters writing, through one-on-one sessions, liaising with potential employers and identifying suitable job vacancies and apprenticeships opportunities for beneficiaries, and following-up on their placement. For beneficiaries not able to enter the job market, the Officer will facilitate access to further training or other vocational support services. The focus area will be Mount Lebanon, Beirut, Chouf/Aley, Saida and Tripoli. The officer will be based in Beirut office with field visits to the mentioned areas.

5. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Draft a list of employers in the designated sectors (IT, web development, electronic repair, solar energy, sewing, HEV and decorative construction) in the areas mentioned above, based on desk review of existing information and mapping of existing businesses and branches for the purpose of identifying internships, job placement and apprenticeship opportunities for graduated beneficiaries
• Build strong relationships with employers, NGOs, UN agencies and training providers in the focus areas to explain ACTED’s project in order to support the project activities for job placement and obtain job vacancies
• Develop questionnaires and personal skills assessment to be administered to each TVET beneficiary to identify existing skills and career pathway
• Schedule one-on-one counseling sessions with TVETs beneficiaries on employment and self-employment options, on vocational training opportunities, internships and micro loans using developed questionnaires and assessments
• Organize and hold group information sessions on job applications, CV and cover letters writing, job interviews and online platforms such as “Daleel Madani” and HireLebanese”
• Match beneficiaries with training, internship and employment opportunities and interview them before referring them
• Successfully place beneficiaries in suitable jobs, internships or apprenticeships
• Follow-up constantly with beneficiaries after referring them to employers and/or after beginning of employment
• Guide beneficiaries requiring further trainings to appropriate vocational trainings and life skills courses
• Inform beneficiaries on labor law regulations applying to Lebanese workers, as well as to Syrian refugees and migrant workers
• Generate reports on vacancies, visits, referrals and job placement
• Any other related task, as may be assigned by the Livelihoods Project Manager

6. REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor Degree in Social Science, Human Resources or equivalent
• At least 2 years of experience in HR, sales, communication or marketing
• Understanding of the Lebanese job market and Lebanese labor laws
• Experience working with private sector employers is a plus
• Demonstrated experience in report writing and preparing a presentation
• Excellent communication and presentation skills that can positively promote the project to potential employers
• Arabic and English language competency required
• Proactive approach to making connections and taking new ideas forward
• Can confidently work in a team and in a fast-paced environment
• Previous experience working with NGOs is preferred