SME Field Coordinator - Zahle (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the URL link provided below)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently works in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps is committed to generating positive opportunities for women, men, boys and girls from Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian communities, with a strong focus on engaging youth.  Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping build secure, productive and just communities. Our programs focus on four sectors:  Economic Opportunities, Governance and Social Stability, Youth Engagement, and Humanitarian interventions. The Mercy Corps Lebanon team consists of over 100 staff working across four offices throughout Mount Lebanon, South Lebanon, Tripoli and the Bekaa Valley.

The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)

Mercy Corps is looking for an experienced MSMEs Field Coordinator based in Zahle for the 42-month AFD-funded BASATINE Program (Bolstering Agriculture Systems’ Ability to Invest, Nourish, and Employ). CARE International is the consortium lead while Mercy Corps is the lead on two of the five components. The intervention aims to immediately address food insecurity and provide needed income and technical support to farmers to survive the current crisis in the short-term, and to improve the capacity of food systems to maintain employment and growth over the longer term via stronger domestic production and system linkages. Mercy Corps will lead on improved market linkages within the agricultural sector by working with input suppliers and with SMEs within the agro-food industry, and on the generation of evidence through research and regular MEL activities to promote evidence-based sector development.

The program seeks to strike a balance between short-term urgent and ever evolving humanitarian needs of agricultural producers, and the longer-term building up and facilitation of more efficient market systems supporting the sector. It seeks to address barriers and challenges to increased domestic production along the agriculture value chain(s) that is operationally and financially sustainable. It seeks to identify and scale up potential import substitutes for domestic market consumption and increased food security, while also identifying and addressing barriers to access export markets for improved trade and hard currency generation. The intervention will mainly focus on wheat and vegetables value chains, while also integrating segments of other value chains (poultry, potatoes, trees, etc.) to ensure that it follows a territorial approach. The program will have a strong MEL, research and learning agenda to provide ongoing evidence-based adaptation internally and the generation of actionable, contextualized research for humanitarian and development practitioners, donors, local and national level public sector, and private sector actors.

The Position (General Position Summary)

The SME Field Coordinator is responsible for coordinating, consolidating, and ensuring smooth implementation of Basatine program and operations’ activities in Bekaa under Specific Objective 3: “Agriculture sector actors engage in improved market activities, resources, and trade relationships”. Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, he/she will work with the program team and Consortium partners to achieve key deliverables and ensure that all activities are adequately achieved on time and within budget. The successful candidate will provide technical support in his/ her area of expertise and serves as focal point for the coordination with selected SMEs, key stakeholders, private sector and market actors in the Agriculture and Agro-Food sector.

Essential Responsibilities (Example Section Below - Adapt to Specific Role)

Project Implementation

• Support the Programme Manager and programme team in planning and implementing project activities in Bekaa region to meet project deliverables based on timeline and scope agreed with the donor;
• Provide day-to-day support and coordination, including administrative, financial and logistical support. Troubleshoot any administrative problems and report any challenges or bottlenecks to Programme Manager;
• Support the Programme Manager and the Project Manager in implementing activities and monitoring of project progress;
• Ensure close coordination with local authorities, value chain actors, private sector and key stakeholders to introduce the project and facilitate access to information related to project activities and scope.
• Participate in team planning and coordination meetings and trainings;
• Work closely with field project partners to schedule field visits for other project components when required.
• Support the Programme Manager 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;
• Ensure activities filling, record keeping and means of verification are being collected for MEL team to evaluate progress of work against indicators. 
• Assist in analysis of data collected to facilitate assessment results and lessons learnt;
• Monitor adherence to grant agreement, Mercy Corps policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations. Facilitate internal Mercy Corps procurement processes;
• Prepare weekly reports to be submitted to the Programme Manager. Contribute to quarterly reports and other ad hoc reports to meet donor and internal requirements;
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;
• Project Coordination for Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Support
• In close collaboration with the Program Manager, leads on all activities under the MSMEs support component including design of the strategy, processes and tools for this component as well as their adaptation along the program;
• Leads on the outreach, assessment and selection of MSMEs in the agriculture/agro-food sector, needs assessments, and business support planning in Bekaa with the support of the Field Assistant.
• Organize interviews and regular coordination meetings with business associations, chambers of commerce, professional syndicates and MSMEs for updates, info sharing and follow up.
• Lead on the MSME support design processes and implementation in order to deliver maximum impact in line with the program objectives;
• Implement the assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), limited in-kind grants and linkages to existing business support services to lower risks and strengthen the ability of companies to grow their workforce;
• Facilitate the linkages between all value chain actors including farmers, local producers, distributors, agriculture and agro food processors to foster the agricultural sector and create market opportunities. 
• Coordinate financial and operational feasibility studies for MSMEs support packages that strengthen linkages between MSMEs and local producers and strengthen the food system in Lebanon;
• Ensure that all MSME 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 MSME development and support.

Coordination and Representation

• Liaise with local officials including municipalities, Chambers of Commerce, local NGOs and INGOs, project partners, key community leaders, SMEs, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure successful deliverables.
• Develop and maintain working relationships and coordinate with relevant international and local agencies active in the livelihoods and economic development sector.
• 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.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission in Lebanon.
• Participate in internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops.
• Other duties as assigned.

Organizational Learning 

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve.  We expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Supervisory Responsibility

Field Assistant

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Project Manager

Works Directly With: BASATINE Program team, MC Support Departments (MEL, HR, Finance, Operations), other consortium partners.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• Minimum Bachelor degree or equivalent in business administration, management, international development, Agriculture, Agri-business or other relevant field;
• At least five years of experience and proven high level of competence in working with SMEs , in economic and market development and/or in agriculture and agribusiness sectors (private sector or NGO);
• Experience of working with agriculture and agro food businesses will be an asset.
• Proven ability to successfully implement SME support, economic development programming including grants and technical assistance for beneficiaries;
• Experience carrying out technical assessments or surveys with a team in one or more of the following: SME Assessments, Value Chains, Market assessment or Socio-Economic Research
• Experience with relief and socio-economic development work across a range of stakeholders including Private Sector, NGOs, and Local government;
• Proven ability to access to a network of SME’s, government officials, and NGOs, and potential implementing partners
• Deep knowledge of Lebanon, in particular its displacement context, protection threats, economic challenges, social stability and resilience mechanisms, relevant to internal conflict preferred;
• Significant knowledge and understanding of the current political, economic, cultural and historical context of Bekaa, including prior experience.
• Proven track record in staff and stakeholder training and capacity building;
• Strong leadership and communication skills and sense of humor;
• Knowledge of Mercy Corps SME development model a plus
• Ability and interest to work with a multi-ethnic team in a culturally appropriate manner; and
• Proficiency in English essential.

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 humor.

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 elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.