Business Advisor – South Mount-Lebanon (Baabda, Aley, Chouf)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be resourceful and use desk and field research creatively and independently to compile a list of sub-sectors, and target companies to approach.
• Use personal and professional networks to make linkages, identify networking opportunities and initiate collaborations that will generate leads.
• Engage with SMEs that could benefit from the programs and onboard them after a criteria-fit assessment and initial needs assessment.
• Understand the requirements/ needs of SMEs and the source of business problems and suggest solutions accordingly.
• Perform a thorough diagnosis of the SMEs; quickly grasp the challenges and recommend solutions as well as technical assistance allowing the beneficiary to grow their sales, create sustainable jobs, and have an impact on their immediate environment.
• Apply the buyer-led approach to beneficiary SMEs: produce what you can sell, not sell what you can produce.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Education: Master’s degree in business, engineering, and/or economics.
• Experience: At least 7 to 10 years in the private sector, preferably in a position managing or assisting SMEs, experience with women entrepreneurs is definitely a plus as the program will be targeting women business leaders.
• Languages: Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic. French is a plus

Competencies

• Planning and organizing.
• Analytical thinking.
• Customer orientation to deal with beneficiaries and donors.
• Proficiency in writing and submitting official documents and technical reports in English.
• Able to perform at a quick pace and in 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 within Lebanon, as needed, to deliver on the assignment.
• Ability to learn new tools and methodologies to perform the assignment better.