Microbusiness assistant

Under the supervision of LHH Project Manager, the Microbusiness assistant performs a variety of financial/business management advisement, technical assistance to new and existing small businesses and ensure proper coordination with municipalities, the programmatic partner, beneficiaries and related COOPI departments. The position requires extensive field work and possible trips to Erbil.

Objective 1: To ensure timely and quality implementation of microbusiness support activity

• Provide direct technical assistance to small business in the research and development of business plans, marketing plans, loan proposals and related business development requirements.
• Select and manage the selection Vetting committee for the business plan revision and selection;
• Conduct feasibility studies for the Business plans upon reception from the Project Participants
• Lead and mentor project participants on the creation and functioning of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
• Contact project participants on a regular basis and follow up with them.
• Support the LHH PM for the procurement of necessary equipment for the in-kind contribution;
• Create a network of suppliers and customers in the targeted areas;
• Provide advice and assistance in the establishment and maintenance of business and financial records and recordkeeping systems, in compliance with all relevant business, accounting, and taxation laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards;
• Monitor operational activities and effectiveness of results, and prepares reports as appropriate;
• Conduct household visits, focus group discussions and key informant interviews upon the request of LHH PM;
• Provide verbal and written reports on the activities to the LHH PM as deducted in Work Plan;
• Ensure the timely implementation of field activities as per the predefined schedule;
• Inform and document the anomalies and the challenges carried out during the implementation phase of the program;
• Participate in the briefing and induction sessions given to stakeholders and field team.
• Provide support to the field team upon request

 Objective 2: Stakeholders coordination

• Coordination in the field with the local partners on best implementation including participants, and communities affected by the project activities;
• Support in building relationships between COOPI, local authorities, municipalities and communities.

 Objective 3: Data collection and reporting

• File, document and report work progress to the line manager on weekly basis;
• Regular collecting and consolidating the reports of the micro-business assistants;
• Regular reporting of work progress to the LHH PM;
• Report possible problems or conflicts during the activities;
• Report the use of materials and possible improvement.

 Objective 4: Security

• Respect the security rules specified in the mission and the base security plan and perform the security management tasks that can be assigned in its protocols;
• Communicate to the security referent of the working location any security related information or noncompliance with the security plan.

 Objective 5: Support all COOPI activities

• Support emergency interventions, as per the employee’s competences;
• Support any activity that helps achieving COOPI humanitarian goals, as per the employee’s capacities;
• Participate in new assessments;
• Support other activities if it is needed;

Note: This job description is not exhaustive and may be changed or amended by the LHH  Program Manager when necessary, according to the base needs.

Experience

• University degree on economic development topic/Social Studies/Environmental Studies/Education or related qualifications;
• Experience in Livelihoods and early recovery LHH in Emergency of at least 2 years
• Previous experience in business coaching mentoring, initiating (Start-up and Scale up for SMEs) Value Chain and follow-up

Skills & Qualifications

• Office and correspondences
• Knowledge in the following fields
  • Economic development /business management
  • Education
  • Humanitarian principles
  • Sphere standards
• Knowledge of the characteristics and prerequisites of a successful business loan proposal.
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of small business operations, Small and Medium Enterprises start up and scale up.
• Knowledge of basic business accounting and Bill of Quantity (BoQ) establishment along with the invoices revision from the local markets.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the procurements and logistics procedure, planning and supply chain
• Knowledge of national financial and tax regulations pertaining to small businesses.
• Knowledge of the Iraqi Labour Law and International Labour organization regulations
• Coaching Skills
• Effective communication skills

Key Competencies

• Native Arabic language
• Good level of English language, both written and spoken
• Ability to multitask
• Positive attitude at all times
• Reporting capacity organized and rigorous, hard worker availability/learning capacity
• Ability to work in a team
• Interpersonal qualities and diplomacy
• Flexible with respect to job priority
• Ability to develop basic business plans, marketing plans, financial strategies, and business loan proposals.
• Records maintenance skills.
• Skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications.
• Agrees with the principles and objectives of COOPI
• Work flexibility and independence without direct supervision from the line manager 

Send CV and Cover Letter to the email address [email protected] by Wednesday, March 16th COB, with “Microbusiness assistant – COOPI Iraq” as subject of the email. Failure to meet the deadline and/or missing information in the email subject will result in the application being discarded.

This vacancy notice is open to internal and external candidates: external candidates will be considered only when no suitable internal candidate from the duty station is identified.

Due to the high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.