Business Advisor - Beirut, Mount Lebanon

Reports To: The Business Advisor will report to LED Project Director | Berytech.

Job Overview: The Business Advisor (BA) shall possess the minimum qualifications and skill-sets listed below. He/she must possess business acumen and must have hands-on experience in the private sector. The BA will be responsible for making linkages, identifying sales leads and supporting SMEs in increasing their sales and growing their operations.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Use desk and field research creatively and independently to compile a list of sectors, industries and target companies to approach
• Use own personal and professional networks to make linkages, identify networking opportunities and initiate collaborations that will generate sales leads
• Engage with SMEs that could benefit from the program and onboard them after a criteria-fit assessment and initial needs assessment
• Understand the requirements of SMEs and source of business problems and suggest solutions accordingly
• Apply the buyer-led approach to LED Project beneficiary SMEs: produce what you can sell, not sell what you can produce
• Perform a thorough diagnosis of the SME; quickly grasp the challenges and recommend solutions as well as technical assistance allowing the beneficiary to grow their sales and create sustainable jobs
• Perform any special project or task as assigned by senior management
• Adhere to management expectations in terms of job performance targets sets and reporting

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in engineering, economics and/or business
• Experience: At least 7 to 10 years of hands-on private sector experience, preferably in a position managing or assisting SMEs
• Languages: Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic. French is a plus
• Competencies
  • Structured, organized and timely work
  • Proficiency in writing and submitting official documents and technical reports in the English language
  • Able to perform in a quick pace and a changing environment
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trustworthy and professional relationships with business owners and community members
  • Maintain and develop a robust professional network
• Attributes
  • Logical and analytical skills
  • Problem-solving ability
  • Integrity and trustworthiness
  • Interpersonal / People skills
  • Professional commitment
• Abilities
  • Willingness/ability to travel throughout Beirut and Mount Lebanon, as needed, to deliver on the assignment
  • Previous experience or knowledge in the buyer-led approach