Microenterprise Support Manager - Mkalles

The Microenterprise Support Manager will lead on the on-going implementation of initiatives engaging local businesses in Akkar (Deir Dalloum & Wadi Khaled), Tripoli and Mount Lebanon, working closely with the Livelihoods team to ensure access to capital and business development services are delivered in such a way that respects the Do No Harm principles and ensure quality program delivery.

The main objectives of this position are:

Ensure that local micro-entrepreneurs develop market feasible ideas and launch successful microenterprises and receive access to finance and training.

Major Responsibilities:

General

• Oversee the Microenterprise Support program including but not limited to entrepreneurs’ selection criteria, verification of business plans and support to start-up microentrepreneurs and existing business owners in seeking business development services.
• Devise an outreach strategy to support the team in identifying prospective business owners including collaborating with international and local NGOs on developing referral pathways to the IRC’s Microenterprise Support program
• Develop detailed activity plans in line with program objectives, ensuring that those plans are implemented and any expected delays and / or modifications are communicated and raised in a timely manner with the ERD Coordinator.
• In conjunction with the M&E team, update the M&E tools as they are relevant to all microenterprise support activities.
• Conduct routine monitoring visits to supported businesses to ensure activities are progressing as planned and are of high quality.
• Support the Senior Technical Manager to prepare spending plans and cash projections for the Microenterprise Support program
• Monitor spending as it relates to Microenterprise Support activities, including spending relating to the IRC’s Microenterprise Support partners
• Compile and submit monthly progress reports to the ERD Coordinator.
• Liaise with interagency and outside technical stakeholders working on MSME development
• Feed into larger regional and global enterprise development and liaise with other IRC stakeholders to provide input on these initiatives.
• Contribute to periodic reports

MSME Support

• Identify financial constraints and/or capacity-building needs of employers in the relevant geographic areas and drive learning on support needed to reduce the constraints on business owners
• Lead the development of a support package for SMEs with support from ERD Coordinator and Senior Technical Manager as well as relevant partners and consultant services as needed and identified
• Draft a strategy to target budding entrepreneurs
• Update the microenterprise support tools ensuring they are relevant to the needs of the business owners and taking into consideration feedback from the microenterprise support officers
• Liaise with IRC’s partner on the implementation of access to capital and business development support ensuring that objectives are met
• Regularly collaborate with the IRC’s Microenterprise Support partner on tools and services that ensure business owners are resilient within crises situations
• Work with consultants delivering targeted MSME-relevant services, including drafting ToRs, setting up workplan, supervising consultants’ work ensuring that deliverable are submitted, on time.

Staff Management and Development

• Direct supervision of 3 staff and technical supervision of 1 staff
• Discuss job expectations, set objectives and provide appropriate and timely feedback regarding performance, including timely implementation of the annual staff performance management system.
• Clearly define the training needs of direct reports and ensure they are able to access training and professional development resources appropriate to their skill gaps/needs.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions including staff development plans.
• Provide leadership support for the successful implementation of and adherence to the IRC Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures
• Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability to the “IRC Way” –  Global Standards for Professional Conduct

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:ERD Coordinator
Position directly supervises:3 Microenterprise officers

Position indirectly supervises: 1 Microenterprise officer in Wadi Khaled
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Senior Livelihoods Manager, Centers Supervisors, other ERD Managers and team leaders, IRC Operations managers (HR, Supply Chain, Finance) and IRC’s Partnerships Unit

External:Other INGOs conducting livelihoods programming, partner organizations and private sector companies