Internal Governance – REAF Program – Incubation

Berytech is a leading organization in the Entrepreneurial Eco-system in Lebanon, that aims to provide a conducive environment for the creation and development of startups, through incubation, business support, counseling, funding, networking, and company hosting, hence taking part in the economic revival of the country, participating in wealth and job creation, and retaining graduates and high-level skills in Lebanon.

The Rural Entrepreneurs in Agri-Food (REAF) program aims at strengthening the business and product viability of innovative startups tackling sustainable rural economic development operating in South Mount Lebanon, Central and West Bekaa. The program will provide the startups with the tools to transform their ideas into sustainable and profitable businesses. REAF’s youth training will enhance their entrepreneurship mentality and entry into the job market.

The Accelerator Program's mission is to nurture and grow ideas, proof of concepts, and prototypes that share three common characteristics:

1. An innovative approach to agri-food, eco-tourism, circular economy, and sustainable agriculture.
2. The possibility to scale in the local market and beyond that.
3. The potential to create sustainable job opportunities locally.

• Empower startups (8 within this cohort) with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish robust internal governance frameworks that ensure compliance, enhance operational efficiency, and support sustainable growth.

• Provide personalized guidance through one-on-one clinics to address specific internal governance challenges and opportunities.

• Assist startups in setting and implementing effective governance frameworks withing their startups.

The REAF Program seeks an internal governance expert to deliver the following requirements:

• Conduct a full-day workshop on internal governance for startups to introduce the key components of internal governance and cover topics such as:
  • The foundation of governance practices, compliance and regulatory requirements, and risk management and control systems
  • Best practices for strategies and partnerships, people and resources, technology and IP, and processes and accountability
  • Creating a board of advisors and conducting board meetings

• Provide one-on-one clinics tailored to the needs of each startup to discuss the different internal governance components based on the startup's maturity stage and how to implement them.

• Assist startups in establishing sound internal governance frameworks, including the formation of boards and committees and the development of internal policies.
• Conduct pre-engagement and post-engagement briefings with the Berytech team to align objectives and assess outcomes.

• Conduct a full-day workshop on Internal Governance for the 8 REAF startups.

• Provide a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 14 hours of one-on-one clinics to the startups, with a distribution of hours to be agreed upon (average of 1 clinic per startup), addressing their individual needs, leading to proper and well-structured internal governance of their Startup.

• The startups will have established sound governance frameworks, including the formation of boards and committees, and the development of internal policies.

• Implement best practices for board effectiveness, accountability, and transparency.
• Submit a written report to the Berytech team outlining the progress and status of each startup, including recommendations for further improvement.

• At least 7 years of experience as a Consultant, Trainer, or similar role, preferably with a startup or in a startup environment
• Strong Governance and Compliance knowledge and skills
• Practical governance implementation or relevant experience
• Ability to effectively prepare and deliver training programs especially with Startups
• Strong communications skills
• Strategic thinking and analytical execution.