Business Development Intern (Applications will only be accepted if submitted through the URL link provided below)

INTERNSHIP TITLE: Business Development Intern

INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION: Beirut, Lebanon, with potential travel to various regions within the country of Lebanon.

DATES OF INTERNSHIP: (not flexible)

LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP:  3 Months maximum, renewable

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP:  91616

Mercy Corps responsibilities:

• For the duration of this internship assignment, the intern will receive:
• Workstation with a computer, internal database, and office resources
• All other tools, materials, and communication requirements for this project to be undertaken.

PROJECT & INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION:

Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities. The agency pursues its mission through emergency relief services, sustainable community development, civil society, and economic development initiatives. Mercy Corps has been present in the Middle East since the 1980s and currently has offices in Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, and Libya. Working in Lebanon since 1993, Mercy Corps has implemented community development programs focused on promoting economic development and increased opportunity for disadvantaged communities, while responding to emergencies as they emerged in the country. In 2012, the program portfolio shifted in response to the massive refugee influx from Syria, and Mercy Corps in Lebanon has solidified its emergency response programming while integrating longer-term development programming by focusing on key sectors: Protection, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Governance and Conflict, and Livelihoods. 

The Business Development Intern will work under the FORSA III project. FORSA III (Fostering Resilience by Strengthening Abilities III) program is a 1.3 million Euros one-and-a-half-year (Jun 2023 - Dec 2024) program focusing on strengthening employment pathways within the digital economy. The program aims to facilitate access to employment through a holistic and integrated approach that builds the skills of young people aiming to increase their work readiness while strengthening the capacities of the private sector to absorb and retain the skilled workforce. Hence, the program targets youth between the ages of 16-34 from Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian communities; as well as key market actors such as coworking spaces, digital businesses, and TVET institutes - in targeted areas of Beirut-Mount Lebanon, Tripoli, and Bekaa. 

The primary objectives of the program are:

• The digital community is more market-responsive and conducive to income-generating pathways for young women and men.
• Local enterprises and institutions can start, sustain, or grow their business operations.
• Under the supervision and guidance of the business development officer, the business development intern will support the FORSA III team. S/he will be responsible for:
• Assist with scheduling meetings, organizing files, managing email correspondence, and maintaining project documentation.
• Handle filing, documenting, and archiving of important records.
• Follow up with supported businesses ensuring all necessary evidence and supporting documentation are collected and organized.
• Act as a liaison between supported startups and SMEs/Coworking spaces, facilitating the distribution and utilization of startup perks provided by Mercy Corps.
• Collaborate with the team to pilot case studies for supported stakeholders, detailing changes in operations and the impact of support.
• Gather insights to inform the digital ecosystem and contribute to the learning agenda objectives.
• Conduct data collection activities such as phone calls and spot checks to gather necessary information.
• Perform any other relevant tasks as requested by the business development officer to support the team's objectives.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Through the internship, the intern will acquire:
• Develop an understanding of compliance requirements and the importance of accurate documentation in business operations.
• Gain skills in organizing and managing large volumes of documents efficiently.
• Learn the best practices for maintaining data integrity and confidentiality.
• Learn effective communication and coordination techniques to manage relationships between multiple stakeholders.
• Learn how to conduct and compile case studies.
• Develop analytical skills to assess the impact of business support programs.
• Develop skills in data gathering techniques, including phone interviews and spot checks.
• Gain experience in data entry and database management.
• Gain a broad understanding of various business development activities this includes working with startups, businesses and other stakeholders.
• Gain a broad understanding of livelihood programing within the humanitarian sector.

DELIVERABLES:

• A well-maintained schedule of meetings, organized files, and up-to-date project documentation. Survey and Interview Design Deliverables:
• Regularly updated tracking logs for all necessary evidence and supporting documentation from supported businesses.
• A coordination log detailing the distribution and utilization of startup perks between supported startups and SMEs/Coworking spaces.
• Comprehensive data collection reports based on phone calls, spot checks, and other data gathering activities.

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

• Diploma: Fresh graduate. Preferably in something related to business development.
• Experience: No experience needed. Volunteering or previous experience within the humanitarian sector is a plus.
• Languages: Very good English level and excellent Arabic level.
• Communication and reporting skill levels: Excellent communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills: Communication, teamwork, empathy, and professionalism
• Computer skills: Very good command of Microsoft Excel, Word, and PPT in addition to a good knowledge of internet research and usage.

Mercy Corps interns and volunteers represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Mercy Corps Diversity Statement:  

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. 

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics:

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Mercy Corps Headquarters: 45 SW Ankeny Street, Portland, Oregon, USA 97204

Mercy Corps: https://www.mercycorps.org/

In your statement, you are encouraged to discuss any relevant experience, and demonstrate your interest. Your application will be reviewed by the Mercy Corps team and shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly for interviews. 

WEB SERVICES: Interns are automatically provided and Mercy Corps email address, as well as access to The Hub, Workplace and the Digital Library.