National Project Coordinator - Financial Inclusion

Introduction

The ‘PROSPECTS’ Partnership for improving prospects for host communities and forcibly displaced persons, was launched by the Government of the Netherlands in 2019 in response to forced displacement crises, bringing together the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank.

A second phase of the partnership started in 2024 and will last until end 2027, building on strategic areas of intervention and maximizing impact from phase one. In the Arab States, PROSPECTS operates in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon.

In Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, the ILO is launching multiple interventions across the programme’s three pillars, guided by emerging priorities of the social partners and needs of the beneficiaries. In parallel, the latest political and economic developments in Syria are shaping new dynamics in Lebanon and the region at large and creating real prospects for the voluntary return of Syrian refugees to their country. In this context, the ILO is engaged in developing several new initiatives to promote durable solutions for Syrian refugees, including under the PROSPECTS Opportunity Fund and a complementary new EU-funded programme, under which it is joining forces with UNHCR and IOM.

Within the framework of the PROSPECTS partnership in the Arab States region, ILO’s focus is on contributing to rebuilding livelihoods, strengthening labour market institutions, enhancing skills systems, and revitalizing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Syria and in the host countries. They are implemented in close coordination to ensure a coherent, cross-border approach to return and reintegration, aligned with the ILO’s Programme of Support for Syria and its broader mandate to promote decent work, social justice, and inclusive recovery.

Against this backdrop, the objectives of the National Project Coordinator - Financial Inclusion is to support ILO’s expanding interventions under PROSPECTS in the area of enterprise development and financial inclusion.

This will be achieved through supporting the delivery of tailored services for MSMEs and youth, coordinating with BDS providers and Microfinance institutions within the targeted regions to ensure timely disbursement of loans. The incumbent will be based in the ILO office in Beirut, Lebanon and will be supporting the entrepreneurship and financial inclusion in the country.

Reporting lines:

The National Project Coordinator will report to the Technical Specialist - Financial Inclusion and Enterprise Development and will receive overall technical guidance and backstopping support from the DWT Beirut Enterprise Specialist.

Description of Duties

1. Coordinate with partner UN agencies namely UNICEF and UNHCR, I/NGOs, MFIs, implementing partners, BDS providers to inform project annual work plans activities, especially for implementation of ongoing agreements and contracts with different partners.
2. Follow-up with relevant line ministries at national level, implementing partners, partner agencies, MFIs and NGOs, government offices and other organizations to expedite implementation and meet targets.
3.  Provide programmatic and administrative support to financial inclusion and entrepreneurship component.
4. Monitor the progress of project activities by reviewing, verifying and analysing workplans, progress reports, final reports and other data for clarity, consistency and completeness. Follow-up on delayed documents, clarify information, and answer questions about clearance and processing requirements to support successful completion of agreed activities.
5.  Participate in the preparation and conduct of seminars, workshops, training sessions, and consultative meetings. Undertake missions to project sites independently or accompanying others.
6. Brief ILO’s Project manager, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship specialist and provide relevant information on project matters. Draft, edit, or translate (as needed) official correspondence, statements and speeches and other public information materials.
7. Lead in the preparation of briefs, background information, Terms of References (TORs), technical reports and draft periodic progress reports and statistical data on status of the overall activities of the project.
8. Review closely the quality of portfolio reports submitted by partner MFIs and ensure all indicators are achieved per project set targets.
9. Conduct field visits to the implementation sites and monitor project implementation with partners as needed.
10. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Prospects project manager or the Financial Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Specialist.

Required qualifications

Education

First level university degree in economics, finance, business administration, development studies or a relevant field.

Experience

At least one year of professional experience at the national level in working effectively within the financial sector support in Lebanon. Proven experience in working effectively with government bodies, private financial sector players, UN and other international organizations would be an asset.

Technical requirements:

Good knowledge of the development field with particular focus on understanding the financial sector terminology and concepts combined with good knowledge of local economic development, livelihoods support, financial inclusion and literacy as well as BDS provision. Knowledge of ILO enterprise development work namely social finance is an asset.

Languages

Excellent command of Arabic (written and spoken) language and very good command of written and spoken English is needed. 

Competencies

Candidates interested in the position should consider that the nine core competencies of the ILO, listed below, may be evaluated during the selection process: Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation and Collaboration.

Technical competencies

• Good coordination and organizational skills.
• Good knowledge of the context and challenges of the financial sector in Lebanon.
• Well established networks within Lebanon namely within the financial sector.
• Good knowledge of the context and challenges for the project areas of expertise.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to justify requirements and approaches to problem resolution, and good drafting skills.
• Good ability to interpret project information and to identify and analyze problems with implementation.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate collaborative and teamwork experience and ability to work effectively with a multicultural and interdisciplinary team as well as work on his/her own initiative.
• Ability to work independently, quickly, precisely, and take initiative and responsibility
• Ability to work under pressure and to meet the deadline.
• Proficient in Microsoft Words, Power Point, Excel, web-browsers and database applications
• Ability to deal with people with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.