Oxfam in Lebanon supports people affected by crisis, displacement and economic vulnerability through livelihoods and economic recovery programmes that help individuals, households and MSMEs improve income and resilience. The MSMEs Officer will contribute to these efforts in South Lebanon by identifying, supporting and following up with eligible MSMEs while ensuring inclusive, safe and high-quality implementation, monitoring and coordination.
To lead the planning, implementation and monitoring of MSME-related field activities under Oxfam’s livelihoods and economic recovery projects in South Lebanon. The MSMEs Officer will contribute to outreach, identification and assessment of eligible businesses, provision of business development support, follow-up on business plans, and monitoring of support provided. Working under the supervision of the Project Manager, the officer will ensure timely delivery of project outputs, collect and analyse monitoring data, and coordinate closely with the Economic Justice Programme team, MEAL, Finance, Logistics, Protection teams, partners, local authorities, service providers, private sector actors and supported MSMEs.
Key Responsibilities:
MSME Technical Support and Field Implementation
• Coordinate and supervise MSME-related field activities, including outreach, business identification, assessments, selection, business development support, implementation follow-up and monitoring of results;
• Support the development and implementation of activity work plans, ensuring that project deliverables are completed on time and in line with agreed quality standards;
• Conduct field visits, business assessments, market observations and data collection to inform project implementation and identify needs, risks and opportunities for supported MSMEs;
• Support eligible MSMEs in developing or updating basic business plans, identifying business needs, and improving business practices, financial planning, marketing, customer relations and operational management;
• Follow up with supported MSMEs to monitor the use of business support packages, grants, in-kind assistance or services provided under the project, where applicable;
• Ensure proper documentation of MSME selection, verification, assessment results, business support plans, follow-up visits and monitoring findings;
Coordination, Monitoring and Reporting
• Ensure qualitative programme implementation through the appropriate use of Oxfam tools related to monitoring, evaluation, accountability, learning and budget tracking;
• Proactively coordinate with Oxfam teams and relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation, referral, follow-up and timely resolution of operational challenges;
• Support the identification of market opportunities, service providers, private sector linkages and referral pathways that can strengthen the sustainability of supported MSMEs;
• Coordinate with municipalities, local authorities, chambers of commerce, cooperatives, private sector actors, service providers and other livelihoods actors in South Lebanon;
• Contribute to the integration of gender, protection, inclusion, conflict sensitivity and Do No Harm principles across all MSME activities;
• Support and coordinate with MEAL Officers for baseline assessments, post-assistance monitoring, outcome monitoring, learning exercises and beneficiary feedback mechanisms;
• Support the preparation of regular activity updates, field reports, case studies, success stories, monitoring summaries and donor reporting inputs;
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date project records, databases and tracking tools related to MSME activities;
CORE DIMENSIONS
• Required to make sound judgements regularly within agreed processes using a good understanding of the project, field context and MSME support activities;
• Communication is largely with internal staff and also with external stakeholders, including MSMEs, local authorities, service providers, partners and target communities;
• Analysis and communication of project information is required to support implementation, monitoring, reporting and programme adaptation;
• Required to align with values and principles of localization, feminism, gender justice, protection mainstreaming and safe programming;
• Required to manage multiple priorities, support timely delivery of activities and contribute to programme quality and accountability
