Livelihoods Officer - BDC

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Livelihoods Officer - BDC

​ About the Job

This role involves the overall planning the activities, resources, budgets and operations of the Business Development Center (BDC) in Antakya in accordance with DRC rules and coordinating day-to-day operations in the BDC, run by DRC’s partner organization. The role will be ensuring that the BDC project is in compliance with applicable internal and external/donor requirements of DRC Turkey office.

Sector responsibilities: Entrepreneurship, MSMEs development, private sector networking activities, small business grants, capacity development for Turkish & Syrian businesses, product fairs, networking events, job fairs, scale up grants, capacity building and asset provision for women-led cooperatives in southeast Turkey.

Geographic scope: Country

This role has a field office focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the country operation. The role contributes to the development of field strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and guidance to area operations and perform field activities. The role will be based on DRC’s Antakya field office as well as BDC premises, run by DRC partner organization.

Main responsibilities

General Programming & operations & interaction with partner (50%)

• Coordinating the development, evaluation and implementation of project goals, objectives, and activities related to MSMEs and entrepreneurs in the BDC, run by DRC’s partner organization.
• Monitoring and forecasting the project budget on an ongoing basis with the partner.
• Acting as a focal point while dealing with the project partner to run BDC successfully.
• Planning various workshops/networking events/webinars/inspirational talks for the entrepreneurs hosted in the BDC and the existing Turkish & Syrian MSMEs by collaborating with the project partner and relevant stakeholders.
• Developing partnerships with other local, national or international organizations and local authorities for providing services to the MSMEs; marketing the BDC, sponsorships...etc.
• Representing the BDC to the public and outside groups, organizations, and agencies; responding to a wide variety of questions, comments, and/or concerns; resolving related complaints
• Liaising with the local governmental bodies and industries to promote the BDC and increase DRC’s Business Development Services’ visibility
• Preparing Weekly activity reports and plans and submitting it to the Livelihoods Manager-West.
• Analyze at all times the changing needs amongst Syrians under Temporary Protection as well as vulnerable host communities to ensure relevance of DRC activities based on changing needs.

Technical support (10%)

• Support, guide and coach implementing partner’s staff on technical and operational issues for quality implementation and follow up on recommendations to ensure quality control throughout implementation.
• Ensure that the implementing partner produces detailed report on activities weekly.

Coordination (20%)

• Proactively seek, assess, and report new opportunities to deliver higher quality as far as BDC activities are concerned.
• Promote and ensure at all times a pragmatic and effective dialogue as well as networking with local institutions and authorities, private institutes, workshops, national and international NGOs, etc. where relevant and needed.
• Liaise and coordinate with relevant partners/service providers/implementing partners for the provision of skills trainings and day-to day activity implementation.
• Support team leader and Livelihood Manager-West in liaising and coordination with relevant stakeholders for organization of outreach activities such as Job Fair, private sector engagement meetings, networking events etc.

Project development

• Support and provide inputs on livelihoods programme development initiatives in coordination with Livelihoods Manager-West and Economic Recovery Coordinator: propose ideas to programme team for feedback and proactively identify opportunities based on needs assessment and gap analysis.
• Analyze and report to the LVH manager (cc: Economic Recovery Coordinator and AM), new regulations related to the access to education and job market for Syrians and follow up the implementation of those regulations in the assigned location to design adequate programming and report to LVH manager and Economic Recovery Coordinator
• Ensure that a risk analysis in the area of intervention is in place and regularly updated.

Monitoring & Evaluation (5%)

• Provide regular reporting on indicators, achievements and challenges related to the project in close coordination with the implementing partner
• Facilitate the qualitative and quantitative monitoring of the project through team meetings, focus group, post-assistance visits, regular reporting and any other monitoring tools.
• Participate in the internal evaluation of the programme.
• Ensure close coordination with MEAL department regarding monitoring and evaluation activities and coordinate between DRC MEAL Department and implementing partner.

Representation (5%)

• If requested by the team leader or livelihood manager, represent DRC in livelihoods working groups and interagency planning workshops.

 About you

To be successful in this role, you must have university degree in business administration, economics, commerce, economic development studies.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required experience and competencies

• Minimum 2 years of practical experience in economic recovery/livelihood sector working for a NGO.

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, economic development studies, or other relevant field

• Experience in MSME development, business development services, business mentoring, coaching.

• Experience with coordinating partnerships with local organizations

• Experience engaging with the private sector

• Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

• Fluency English and Turkish, Arabic is strong asset.

Preferred Qualification:

• Project planning, implementation follow-up and monitoring

Preferred Experiences:

• At least 2 years of professional experience in private sector related to marketing and sales, commerce, trade.
• Experience working in the field (preferably experience from Southern Turkey)
• Understanding of the rights and protection issues of refugees, children and women - experience working with Syrian refugees is an advantage
• An understanding of humanitarian/civil society issues in Turkey and the region

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.

Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.

Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 1 year (renewable dependent on both funding and performance)

Employment Band: H

Designation of Duty Station: Antakya

Start date: 15.11.2021

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Nationals.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 27.10.2021

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.

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