Business Development Services Officer

  BACKGROUND: The Business Development Services Officer position will support the implementation of the RDPP project “Equitable access to dignifying and safe livelihood opportunities for displacement-affected populations in the Beka’a” financed by DANIDA and implemented in consortium with DRC and Al Makhzoumi Foundation. The position will be based in Zahle, with regular travel to programme sites in Zahle and Baalbeck and travel to Beirut as needed. He/she will assist the Project Manager in all capacity building efforts for the project staff. They will plan, supervise and organize field activities in this work package, namely the outreach in targeted communities, advertisement of BDS activities, and collection of applications by candidate beneficiaries, pre and post training delivery surveys. They will visit one-on-one and group sessions with entrepreneurs on a weekly basis to ensure they proceed as per plan and according to established quality standards, and that service delivery sheets are filled in accurately by mentors. They will be responsible for day-to-day monitoring.     DIMENSIONS: Support the successful planning, monitoring and reporting of the RDPP project “Equitable access to dignifying and safe livelihood opportunities for displacement-affected populations in the Beka’a” in consortium with DRC and Al Makhzoumi Foundation; Collaborate with MEAL, WASH and Protection teams and the technical Coordinators/Managers; Ensure that the project takes gender and age issues into account; Support a constant and constructive relationship with Al Makhzoumi Foundation and DRC at field and Beirut level; Build and maintain effective relationships with implementing partners and stakeholders in support of the project in the focus areas; Ensure effective relations are maintained with the implementing partner organisations, other livelihoods actors and with relevant Oxfam colleagues; Ensure programme quality standards are being met;     KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Work closely with the Project Manager, Oxfam programme team and support departments to implement the project in line with the objectives laid out in the donor approved proposal and in collaboration other consortium members and local implementing partners, including the Chamber of Commerce and LEDA; Support the implementation of project activities as per set work plan and in accordance with donor regulations and Oxfam’s internal quality benchmarks; Conduct rapid qualitative Business Development Services (BDS) market assessments; Conduct outreach in target communities to ensure that the community and especially potential MSME beneficiaries are  well-informed about project objectives and activities; Compile roster of qualified mentors and experts who will be hired to provide specialized counselling to entrepreneurs and target MSMEs; Liaise with assigned mentors and contribute to the regular monitoring of their performance; Ensure the quality implementation of various forms of support to MSMEs, regularly communicate challenges and areas of improvement, and proactively seek out solutions with project team; Assist in linking supported enterprises to suitable suppliers, clients, and investor networks as well as support in the organizing events and meetings between different parties as needed; Carry out regular monitoring field visits to project locations and to target enterprises; Hold awareness/information sessions on minimum standards at the workplace; Ensure regular, proper project documentation and contribute to reporting and internal information sharing to relevant program and support teams (Economic Justice team, Policy Adviser, Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning Coordinator, Advocacy and Media team, Bekaa Area Manager, etc..);   SKILLS AND COMPETENCE: (E = essential, D = desirable)  1.       A Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline such as economics or development or equivalent experience (E) 2.      Master’s degree in relevant area (e.g. economics, development studies, political science) (D) 3.       A minimum of 2 years experience in implementation of donor-funded livelihoods projects and experience conducting market mapping exercises or research (E) 4.       Understanding and knowledge of economic development and recovery principles in an urban and rural context (E) 5.       Good knowledge of project monitoring systems to track the effectiveness of programmes and an ability to maintain cooperative, professional relationships with donors, partners and peer organisations. (E) 6.       Experience in working on project implementation jointly with local organisations as implementing partners (D) 7.       Commitment to equal opportunity and gender policies. (E) 8.       Experience in internal and external capacity building. (D) 9.       Good interpersonal, influencing and communication skills (E) 10.   Proven ability to work independently as required. (E) 11.   Sensitivity to cultural differences, and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts. (E) 12.   Good written and spoken English and Arabic. (E) 13.   Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. (E) 14.   Sympathy with the aims and Objectives of Oxfam. (E) This job description is not incorporated in the employment contract.  It is intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible specification as it may be varied from time to time in the light of strategic developments and following discussion with the post holder.