Business Advisor – Beirut, Mount Lebanon

Job Overview

The Business Advisor (BA) must possess a great sense of business and must have hands-on experience in the private sector with small to medium enterprises (SMEs). The BA will be responsible for making linkages, identifying sales leads and supporting SMEs in increasing their sales and growing their operations.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Use desk and field research creatively and independently to compile a list of sectors, industries and target companies to approach
• Use own personal and professional networks to make linkages, identify networking opportunities and initiate collaborations that will generate sales leads
• Engage with SMEs that could benefit from the program and onboard them after a criteria-fit assessment and initial needs assessment
• Understand the requirements of SMEs and source of business problems and suggest solutions accordingly
• Apply the buyer-led approach to LED Project beneficiary SMEs: produce what you can sell, not sell what you can produce
• Perform a thorough diagnosis of the SME; quickly grasp the challenges and recommend solutions as well as technical assistance allowing the beneficiary to grow their sales and create sustainable jobs
• Perform any special project or task as assigned by senior management
• Adhere to management expectations in terms of job performance targets sets and reporting

Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in engineering, economics and/or business
• Experience: At least 7 to 10 years of hands-on private sector experience, preferably in a position managing or assisting SMEs, as well as experience in ICT sales
• Languages: Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic. French is a plus

Competencies:

• Structured, organized and timely work
• Proficiency in writing and submitting official documents and technical reports in the English language
• Able to perform in a quick pace and a changing environment
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trustworthy and professional relationships with business owners and community members
• Maintain and develop a robust professional network

Attributes:

• Logical and analytical skills
• Problem-solving ability
• Integrity and trustworthiness
• Interpersonal/People skills
• Professional commitment

Abilities:

• Willingness/ability to travel throughout Beirut & Mount Lebanon, as needed, to deliver on the assignment
• Previous experience or knowledge in the buyer-led approach

Contract Details

The Business Advisor will be hired on a six-months contract, with possible extension upon funding renewal.