Business Development and Livelihoods Coordinator

Near East Foundation (NEF) - Lebanon

Title:               Business Development and Livelihoods Coordinator (National Position)

Unit:               Programs, Near East Foundation in Lebanon

Reports to:     Project Manager

Location:        The position is based in Beirut

Travel:            Frequent travel between project sites within Lebanon (Bekaa, North, Akkar and South)

Start date:       01/10/2022 (pending final project approval from the donor)

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking candidates for a Business Development and Livelihoods Coordinator to be based in its ‎Lebanon office in Beirut. For 100 years, NEF has worked to build more sustainable, prosperous and ‎inclusive communities in the Middle East and Africa through education, governance, and economic ‎development initiatives. Working through a network of country offices and local partners, NEF ‎currently operates in ten countries. Its programs are organized around three themes: Peacebuilding; Sustainable ‎Agriculture; and Micro- enterprise Development.‎

Position Description

The Business Development and Livelihoods Coordinator is a member of the Near East Foundation team in Lebanon. The purpose of the Business Development and Livelihoods Coordinator (BDLC) position is to set the NEF business development strategy, lead the business development and livelihoods unit, oversee the unit’s workplan and activities, support in developing the business development trainings materials and curriculums, and oversee the work of the team and consultants.

The project aims to reduce household economic vulnerability and reliance on harmful coping strategies of vulnerable families by increasing access to income-generating skills and providing livelihood opportunities.

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, the Business Development and Livelihoods Coordinator will have the following duties and responsibilities:‎

Implementation, Curriculum Development and Proposal Writing:

• Update NEF’s Business Development strategy and work towards expanding NEF’s business development services.

• Lead relevant assessments/research and generate internal and external reports accordingly.

• Oversee the overall implementation of the livelihoods activities as per donor agreement ‎and NEF guidelines and agreed implementation strategy

• Pro-actively work toward reaching the project objectives, i.e. strengthening the ‎established home-based activities of vulnerable individuals, identifying potential ‎opportunities and placement arrangements to apply these skills to access available ‎economic opportunities and facilitating access to the necessary inputs to support their ‎sustainability

• Develop, update and follow up a detailed work plan, in line with project targets and ‎deadlines.‎

• Oversee the development of all training materials related to business development, ‎coaching and networking.

• Oversee the remote learning /online training materials.

• Oversee the delivery of the business development trainings.

• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to provide support when needed to ensure ‎quality implementation.

• Support in writing project proposals & concept notes related to rural, business ‎developments and livelihoods services.

• Contribute to donor reporting on quarterly basis.

• Develop new training materials based on the institutional needs assessment findings ‎aiming to enhance and strengthen the partners’ business development services.

• Lead the Business Development technical unit at NEF Lebanon Office.‎

Reporting:

• Draft narrative and quantitative reports as per NEF internal requirements and donor ‎requirements.‎
• Ensure internal communication and information sharing on project with relevant staff.‎
• Preparing & Updated information related to local BDS providers, conditions, type of ‎services, type of ‎loans and assistance.‎
• Consolidate & Standardize Business Development and Livelihoods services in NEF’s areas of operation.‎

‎ ‎

Representation & Coordination:

• Represent NEF in relevant working groups at national level, and other relevant ‎interagency workshops or events in related sectors.‎
• Assist with the coordination of visits to the NEF Lebanon program by HQ colleagues, donors, NEF board ‎members, and other stakeholders.‎

Other responsibilities:

• Work closely with relevant Beirut office technical team colleagues as required.‎
• Ensure compliance with applicable donor and NEF policies and regulations.‎
• Ensure all project documentation required by NEF and donor is accurately collected, organized and filed.‎
• Any other duties relating to the nature of the job as requested by the supervisor.‎

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies, business studies, social science, economics, or equivalent ‎combination of education and work experience;‎

• ‎6 years of experience in development and/or humanitarian organizations, including significant ‎experience working as a certified business development trainer in the UN/INGO sector;‎

• Expertise in income generation, SMEs and/or agribusiness development, poverty alleviation, livelihood ‎and value chain development, social inclusion, etc.; ‎

• Fluency in English and Arabic and ability to effectively write reports;‎

• Strong facilitation skills, including the design and management of effective trainings, workshops and ‎meetings with a diverse population;‎

• Competence with MS Office applications, including Word, Excel and Outlook.‎

Position Criteria:

• Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to work effectively across a wide variety of cultural ‎‎contexts
• Effective team player, able to develop and maintain effective working relationships
• Flexible, creative and problem solving-oriented.

NEF will accept a rolling application until the position is filled. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible before August 31,2022.

To apply:

Please apply by submitting the following documents :

1. Cover letter outlining relevant experience and availability
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer)

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org**.**

The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Opportunities for all applicants seeking employment and NEF employees.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Pre-employment Checks:

Any Employment with the Near East Foundation will be subject to the following checks prior to start date:

• A satisfactory Restricted Party Screening.
• Receipt of satisfactory references.
• Proof of eligibility to work in the national location for this role.