SME Relationship Officer (SRO) - Beirut and Mount Lebanon

The main role for the SME Relationship Officer (SRO) is to be part of the field-based programme team. The primary responsibilities of an SRO are to maintain relationship with the enrolled SMEs, and monitor their progress and job creation. The SRO will work in close coordination with the programme's partner financial institutions. The SRO will coordinate with the loan officers of the financial institution to follow up on applicants and verify grant requirements have been met and milestones achieved. They will manage a portfolio of SMEs in Beirut and Mount Lebanon, follow up on grants and coordinate the provision of business advisory services delivered by LEEP's implementing partners. The SRO will also be in close contact with the business advisory providers, who will be serving the SME clients. The SRO will support the programme's adherence to social safeguards of employees hired. They will work to ensure a strong pipeline of SMEs leveraging key networks, local marketing, and communication tools in order to help LEEP team achieve outreach targets. The SRO will be based in Beirut and Mount Lebanon with regular visits to the office.
The SRO will report to LEEP's Senior Grants Manager with the following specific responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversees a portfolio of SMEs in Beirut and Mount Lebanon.
• Supports in the SME Applications selection process by providing feedback collected during field visits including a discreet social and safeguarding assessment such as detecting child labour, gender inequality, lack of decent work conditions for employees, etc.
• Provides assistance to the SME grants team for verification of the SME's fulfilment of the conditions and requirements for compliance prior to grant disbursements.
• Collects valid documentation required for SME Essential and Employment grants disbursement (quotations, invoices, receipts, payslips, insurance, etc.) in a timely manner.
• Verifies the creation and sustainability of the jobs created in the informal sector and monitors/observes the remuneration of the workers at the end of the month according to the initial (task-based) agreement between the employer and employee.
• Verifies the creation and sustainability of jobs in the formal sector and monitors the presence of formal contracts or decent work measures (if employee is hired for part time or seasonal jobs) and contributions by the employer.
• Works in close coordination with BDS Officer to follow up and verify the delivery of business advisory services to SMEs. Coordinates closely with the relevant BDS focal point to ensure communication and easy job matching in the field.
• Submits field monitoring and progress reports to the Grants Team and the Program Design and Evaluation Manager on a regular basis through a sequence of pre-defined field visits.Acts as the point of contact for LEEP SMEs in Beirut and Mount Lebanon.
• Provides inputs for the Communications materials such as SME case studies and success stories for LEEP social media pages, Infographics, Website, Brochures, etc.
• Supports outreach efforts (meeting potential applicants, attending meetings with organizations that can help develop SME pipeline etc.) in close coordination with the SME Development & Partnerships Manager.
• Executes field activities as required by Senior Grants Manager in line with LEEP's goals.