Senior MSME Development Officer (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the URL link provided below)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse, and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have long term impact.

The Program / Department / Team

The “Market-Based Opportunities and Skills Training for Women and Youth” is a $10 million CAD integrated three-year (anticipated October 2018 - November 2021) program designed to improve livelihood opportunities for women and youth (aged 15-34) from vulnerable populations. The program will target youth between the ages of 15-24, as well as young adults between the ages of 25-34 from Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian families, with a specific focus on women and girls in the target areas.  The overall objective is that women and youth are empowered and valued for playing an active economic role within their households and communities in Saida, Barja, Nabatiyeh, and Tripoli.

The primary objectives of the program are that:

1. Women and youth are gainfully employed or self-employed as a result of program interventions;
2. Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Startups improve their capacity to develop their businesses and hire women and youth;
3. Women and youth have a supportive enabling environment for their economic activities

The Position

The Sr MSME Development Officer is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the NMSME support component within the MOST (3amaly) program. S/he will ensure that activities within this component are implemented to a high quality, on time, and within budget. S/he will ensure that activities in this component contribute to achieving key deliverables, including increased hiring, and enabling environment for economic integration of women and youth within supported NMSMEs.  Capture impact and success of the project by providing inputs to the regular report and drafting success stories.  

Essential Responsibilities

Project Implementation:

• Support the MSMEs Coordinator & 3AMALY team in implementing project activities to meet project deliverables based on timeline and scope agreed with the donor;
• Support quality implementation of the activities through regular field visits to Tripoli , Saida and Lower chouf areas.
• Plan, coordinate and facilitate the delivery of the machines/materials when needed.
• Provide day-to-day support and coordination, including administrative, financial and logistical support. Troubleshoot any administrative problems and report any challenges or bottlenecks to the MSMEs Field Coordinator;
• Participate in team planning and coordination meetings and trainings;
• Support the MSMEs Field Coordinator in conducting periodic risk assessments to update implementation plan accordingly;
• Support monitoring and evaluation efforts to document project outputs, outcomes, and impact to inform donor and other internal reporting;
• Assist in filing and record keeping of project activities;
• Closely adhere to internal Mercy Corps procurement processes;
• Prepare weekly reports to be submitted to the MSMEs Coordinator. Contribute to quarterly reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor and internal requirements;
• Ensure that data is accurately collected, entered, and shared on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
• Keep track of impact and success stories, and ensure they are reflected in reports and other ‎communication/visibility materials.

Project Coordination for Nano, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (NMSME) Support

• Facilitate field coordination of assistance to small and medium enterprise (SMEs), limited in-kind grants and linkages to existing business support services to lower risks and strengthen the ability of companies to grow their workforce;
• Coordinate developed strategies to meet 3AMALY’s job creation targets through market-oriented solutions and devising short and long term employment opportunities through SME support;
• Ensure the integration of adapted approaches to respond to barriers to women and youth’s engagement in the workforce;
• Ensure that all SME support-related interventions are in compliance with international norms and standards, national laws and policies, technical standards and organizational policies;
• Assist with monitoring and evaluation (M&E), accountability and learning systems for optimal SME development and support.

Coordination and Representation

• Assist MSME Field Coordinator to liaise with local NGOs and INGOs, project partners, key community leaders, SMEs, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure successful deliverables;
• Maintain relationships with unions and local municipalities to introduce the project and facilitate access to information related to project activities and scope. Arrange for meetings with local entities and authorities, as requested;
• Represent Mercy Corps at local coordination meetings, where relevant.

Other

• Ensure all activities are gender sensitive and follow Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity Policy;
• Apply Do No Harm standards to ensure activities do not have detrimental effects on vulnerable communities;
• Contribute to monthly reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor and internal requirements;
• Participate in internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops;
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;
• Other assigned tasks, as necessary.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: MSME Field Coordinator

Works Directly With: MOST program team, MC Support Departments (MEL, HR, Finance, Procurement, Logistics), Partner organizations.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• BA/S or equivalent in social science, agribusiness, women’s studies, management, economics, international development, or other relevant field;
• At least two years of progressive experience and proven high level of competence in working in economic and market development, research and/or development-related programs, ideally in relief and/or post-conflict settings;
• Proven ability to successfully implement economic development programming including grants and technical assistance for beneficiaries;
• Proven ability to access to a network of MSME and NGOs, and potential implementing partners;
• Deep knowledge of Lebanon, in particular its protection threats, economic challenges, social stability and resilience mechanisms, relevant to internal conflict preferred;
• Proven track record in stakeholder training and capacity building;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in Arabic and English
• Knowledge of Mercy Corps MSME development model a plus;
• Ability and interest to work with a multi-ethnic team in a culturally appropriate manner; and

Success Factors

A successful candidate will have the ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment with a capacity to promote new approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs. S/he will have proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results.  Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with curiosity about and sensitivity to new cultures, a desire and ability to learn and grow, both personally and professionally, and a great sense of humour.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Beirut.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.