SME Deputy Program Manager – Syria / Northern Aleppo

General Description of the Programme:

GOAL has been working in Syria since 2013, responding to the acute needs of conflict-affected communities. GOAL is working in Idleb Governate, both through direct implementation and through partners, delivering food, non-food programming to highly vulnerable populations, and provision of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) through support to Water units, as well as emergency support to recently displaced households.

GOAL has been working in North Aleppo Governate since 2019, through direct implementation and through partners, delivering food, non-food programming to highly vulnerable populations, as well as emergency support for recently displaced household.

Job purpose:

Under the supervision of the SME Program Manager, the SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) Deputy Manager for North Aleppo will primarily be responsible for ensuring the high-quality implementation of GOAL’s SMEs program activities in North Aleppo, including support to design and planning, implementation and reporting for the SMEs team’s activities, and SMEs staff supervision. The SME DPM oversees the SMEs activities in North Aleppo to ensure that they are taking place as scheduled and all SOPs and GOAL’s procedures are followed appropriately.

Duties, objectives and competencies

Project Planning and Implementation

• Develop SOPs, Agreements, and templates needed to assess and administer the activities.
• Oversee the development of curriculum on business topics appropriate for SMEs.
• In collaboration with the MEL team finalize a monitoring plan that will provide regular and actionable data that will allow the team to adjust the program design and maximize program impact.
• In collaboration with Deputy Field Managers, sensitize relevant stakeholders to the program.
• Sensitize the program to local councils, peer NGOs and local authorities and represent the program in relevant coordination forums.
• Supervise the delivery of business basic course to shops. Work with the operations department to ensure venues are appropriate and compliant with COVID 19 guidance for gatherings.
• Oversee an impartial and transparent small grant process administered in accordance with approved SOPs. Approve/reject applications for technical and/or cash grants as appropriate. Ensure that decisions are well documented and meet audit requirements.
• Under the supervision of the SME Program Manager, manage the implementation of the vendor support activity in North Aleppo which includes managing the cash grant application & implementation process for vendors and business support training.
• Oversee an impartial and transparent cash grant process in North Aleppo in accordance with approved SOPs. Approve/reject applications for technical assistance and/or cash grants as appropriate. Ensure that decisions are well documented and meet audit requirements.
• Planning for the market functionality assessment, vendor assessment, vendor application, contracting, onboarding, and monitoring for North Aleppo activities.
• Under the supervision of the SME Program Manager, develop weekly and monthly activity plans for North Aleppo SME activities.
• Lead the implementation of project activities in North Aleppo according to the project proposal and relevant plans, including all related procurements.
• Track progress of North Aleppo SME activities against workplan.
• Other duties as assigned.

Staff Supervision

• Directly manage the SMEs team in N. Aleppo. Support the SME Program Manager with the regular review of the program org chart and JDs and any necessary revisions to promote effectiveness and efficiency.
• Support the SME Program Manager to identify strategic needs and opportunities for staff capacity building to ensure high quality program implementation and lead the coordination or implementation of trainings and other opportunities for staff capacity building.
• Ensure that all members of the SMEs team in North Aleppo understand and complete GOAL performance management and professional development process.
• Ensure strong communications within the SMEs team in North Aleppo, inviting input from all members, ensuring their appropriate involvement in decision making, and sharing regular updates regarding developments in the program.
• Model and promote GOAL core competencies, approaches to safety and security, and staff care.

Requirements (essential)

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• Minimum 3 years of program management experience with an NGO, private company or government department including at least 2 years in cash / vouchers or markets-based programming.
• At least 1 year experience working with NGO in the SME filed economic activities, social and economic empowerment.
• Experience managing a team of 3 staff minimum.
• Deep understanding of local context and working experience in N Aleppo.
• Proven problem solving and coordination skills, communication skills, flexibility, and calmness under pressure.
• Strong computer skills with particular competencies with Microsoft Office applications (including MS Word and Excel).
• Fluent written and spoken Arabic

Requirements (desired)

• Experience of implementing programs alongside private sector partners and/or strong interest in engaging with private sector to design programming.
• Previous experience administering a grant program and/or selection process for beneficiaries.
• Experience working with small businesses or traders
• Working knowledge of English