Short Term Technical Consultant - Senior Business Development Services STTA

The individual will utilise their local knowledge of the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector and BDS services on-offer to SMEs to complete this assignment.
This position requires an experienced, dynamic and results-oriented candidate with strong enterprise development, private sector experience, and practical know-how in working with SMEs in Lebanon.

Responsibilities

• Review key programme documents including Busincess Case, Terms of Reference, BDS Expression of Interest, BDS providers' proposals, programme Inception Report and programme design documents related to the BDS support interventions for STEP SME beneficiaries.
• Review and understand the programme's mechanism for evaluating BDS providers and the rating matrix of the BDS providers based on their proposal submissions.
• Review and where necessary, update the BDS process flow maps.
• Coordinate with and review inputs from other Palladium project, LIFE, on their experiences with Lebanese BDS providers.
• Review the subcontract template for the BDS providers. Coordinate with the Head of Finance and Operations to complete a final draft of the contracts for the BDS providers.
• Draft BDS Basic services for the initial pool of SME beneficiaries/grantees.
• Provide recommendations on the design and delivery of STEP's SME BDS intervention as part of the grant to the SMEs.
• Develop process for oversight and contract management of the BDS providers.
• Conduct ocassional field visits in coordination with STEP's technical team and partners to ensure that BDS Delivery is on track.
• Follow up on the delivery and quality of services provided by the suppliers to SMEs
• Develop required tracking tools to oversee and follow up on the delivery of BDS interventions to SMEs
• Conduct ocassional field visits in coordination with STEP's technical team and partners to ensure that BDS Delivery is on track.
• Follow up on the delivery and quality of services provided by the suppliers to SMEs
• Develop required tracking tools to oversee and follow up on the delivery of BDS interventions to SMEs
• Review of and recommendations on BDS Strategy including tools and templates, process maps and any other supporting documents.
• Final draft of BDS Basic Services list which will be included as the TORs in the subcontract with the BDS providers.
• Provide technical input on subcontracts for BDS providers.
• Oversight mechanism and tools/templates required to montior providers' performance and delivery.
• Feedback mechanism to gather feedback from beneficiary SMEs on their experience of working with STEP's BDS providers.

Requirements

• University qualification in Business Administration, Economics, Finance or similar fields, preferably at postgraduate level;
• Minimum 5-7 years' relevant experience working in international development, specifically in private sector development, SME support, or related fields;
• Experience working with SMEs, banks, microfinance institutions, or related fields;
• In-depth knowledge of the private sector in Lebanon, preferably with business development service providers;
• Experience with DFID private sector development projects preferred;
• Outstanding team player and willingness to learn and support learning of others;
• Fluency in written and oral communication skills in English and Arabic.

Administrative Scope:

• Position: BDS Consultant
• Location: Beirut, Lebanon
• Number of days: up to 30 days on-site at programme office, with visits to the field
• Reports to: Deputy Team Leader with guidance from SME Lead and BDS Lead
• Timeframe: Starting September 12, 2018 until October 31, 2018
• Conditions: Taxes will be applicable depending on registration and residency status