Business Development Expert_(National Contract)

WeWorld has been working in Lebanon since 2006 and is now supporting vulnerable populations through emergency WASH, shelter, basic assistance and protection interventions as well as Water Governance and Local Economic Development programs aiming at increasing the resilience of the concerned communities, in the Bekaa Valley and Akkar.

Duty Station: Zahle, Bekaa, with frequent field visits

Job Title: Business development expert

Reporting to: Project Manager / Head of Programs

Duration: Part-time – 6 months with a possible extension for further 18 months

SCOPE OF THE POSITION

The Expert will be a strategic staff in the WW Lebanon Mission as well as key in the implementation of the SAFE’s project (Sustainable Agri-Food Economy for refugee and local communities in vulnerable governorates of Lebanon) by providing technical expertise in the achievement of  Outcome 1 of the project: Enhance access to decent, gender-sensitive and sustainable livelihoods opportunities in the agri-food sector for vulnerable refugee and local communities.

Adopting a Market System Development Approach, the Business Development Expert will ensure strategic engagement with all the actors along the agri-food value chains in the Beqaa, analysing capacity building needs, bottle-necks, and opportunities for equitable and sustainable growth in the sector(s), and guiding the development of strategies for improving (a) productivity, (b) profitability, (c) job-creation and (d) employability along the targeted the value chains

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Support the Project Manager, providing technical guidance, and supervision to all aspects of the intervention.
2. Design gender-sensitive value chain and market analyses
3. Identify gaps, bottle-necks and capacity building needs of the key actors identified in the value chains (SMEs, cooperatives, producers’ organizations)
4. Develop sustainable business plans for the identified actors of the value chains, identifying, setting up and monitoring capacity building interventions
5. In close coordination with the Project Manager, set up and monitoring of grants allocation mechanisms to SMEs, cooperatives and producers’ organization
6. Identify strategies for re-dressing mismatch between supply and demand in the job market, with the aim to ensure youth and women’s better access to and retention of job-opportunities
7. Liaise with other key actors and relevant Government agencies to ensure effective coordination and sharing of lessons-learnt and approaches for maximizing impact.
8. Organize and moderate, when required, meetings with main stakeholders
9. Assist in the production of communication material and contribute to the design of dissemination strategies.
10. Prepare and submit reports and documentation as for deadlines
11. Collaborate and coordinate with other WW departments, including MEAL, finance and logistics.
12. Other assigned tasks, as necessary to the projects and WW activities.

Professional Competencies

1. Professionalism: Ability to analyse the context situation identify threats and opportunities propose practical solutions and alternatives. Develops clear goals that are realistic and consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments, plans own work and manages conflicting priorities. Incorporate a strong gender perspective and ensure the equal participation of women and youth in all areas of work.
2. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; makes effective a  two- way communication; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people updated.
3. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve programs and organizational goals; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
4. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and commitments; delivers outputs within the deadline; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.

QUALIFICATION AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• An advanced degree in Economics, International Development, Business Administration, Agriculture, food security or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years relevant experience, at least 5 of which with donor-funded development projects focused on Local Economic Development.
• Demonstrated experience in business development in the agri-food or related sectors
• Familiarity with Market System Development Approaches
• Demonstrated ability to work and coordinate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including national and local government, donors, community-based organizations, and the private sector
• Experience in project management and reporting
• Creativity and willingness to adjust to changes and new requirements
• Ability to travel extensively within project areas as required
• Strong team spirit, together with the ability to work independently
• Fluency in written and spoken English, Arabic is a must
• Good skills in Office tools, including formatting, layout and graphics
• A driving license.