Business Entrepreneurship Officer

Position: Business Entrepreneurship Officer

West Bank/Gaza Pioneers-Raedat

Location:  Gaza Strip

Overview:  

Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity, and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their growth in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society, and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous, and equitable global community. We work with government, non-government, private sector, and community stakeholders to promote transparency, foster accountability, and access the channels they need to make their voices heard, promote change, and realize their full potential.   

Global Communities seeks to hire a Business Entrepreneurship Officer for the USAID West Bank/Gaza Pioneers-Raedat Activity. This five-year $35M program is intended to leverage women's potential to create ripple effects that shift gender-based power relations within the Palestinian community. This Activity will improve institutional frameworks and processes in select sectors to ensure they align with legal requirements and international best practices (both existing and new that might be advanced through implementation) for the inclusion of women. It will also support communities to develop the necessary tools to promote women's inclusion in activities outside the home, build the capacity and confidence of individual women by engaging institutions of higher education and civil society, develop male allies, political structures, and the private sector; and strengthen public awareness and advocacy around women's issues, including gender-based violence (GBV).

The Hassaleh Innovation Fund, an integral part of the Pioneers - Raedat program, catalyzes empowerment initiatives such as GBV prevention, survivor support, seed funding for innovative projects from hackathons, and backing for income-generating ventures. Within the program, the Hassaleh Fund is a versatile resource, evolving to meet needs and nurturing women's innovations through partnerships with the private sector, civil society, and academia. It will offer training, internships, fellowships, and workshops for Rising and Trailblazer Pioneers, enhancing their capacity and confidence. The fund supports localized initiatives, utilizing digital tools and media products to amplify messages for behavior change and positive gender norms. Collaboration with local CSOs/CBOs ensures community ownership.

Position Summary:

The Business Entrepreneurship Officer will manage the mapping and selection of women and young entrepreneurs in Gaza, coordinate training and development sessions, oversee market research to identify business opportunities and engage with private sector partners. The Officer will implement the Hassaleh Innovation Fund strategy, contribute to project planning and reporting, and support beneficiaries by addressing challenges and enhancing their business skills. Additional responsibilities include mapping specialized business development service providers, designing market-driven interventions to engage women and youth, and collaborating in maintaining databases and tracking beneficiary progress. The Business Entrepreneurship Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Hassaleh Innovation Fund Director.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Mapping and Selection: 

• Manage the mapping and selection process of women and young entrepreneurs in Gaza with the support of other project team members.
• Manage the relationship with Raedat’s partners in Gaza to establish a small grants pool supporting the economic empowerment of vulnerable women in Gaza.
• Monitor and ensure commitment to project objectives, including improvements in the work environment and promoting gender equality in recruitment and retention practices.

Training and Development:

• Coordinate the assessment, design, development, and delivery of entrepreneurship training/coaching/mentoring sessions for women and young entrepreneurs in Gaza in collaboration with local partners and experts.
• Collaborate with the Leadership and Capacity-Building Officer, local experts, and partners to provide ongoing technical support and coaching/mentoring and ensure that the target group develops and implements high-quality business plans.
• Support grantees by assisting in troubleshooting business challenges, improving budgeting skills, and fostering ongoing community engagement.

Market Research: 

• Oversee market research initiatives to identify new business opportunities for women and young entrepreneurs in Gaza.
• Work closely with the Hassaleh Director and relevant stakeholders and, when necessary, engage external experts or agencies to conduct in-depth market analyses, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the business landscape and potential opportunities.

Private Sector Engagement:

• Manage the Hassaleh Innovation Fund Strategy implementation in Gaza in alignment with Raedat Project objectives.
• Implement activities outlined in the work plan for the Hassaleh Fund Strategy in Gaza.
• Map specialized business development services providers to support women and young entrepreneurs in Gaza.
• Build and manage relationships with key stakeholders and professionals contributing to women's economic and social empowerment.

Project Planning and Reporting:

• Collaborate with the Hassaleh Innovation Director and the Gaza Team Lead to contribute to project planning and reporting processes.
• In cooperation with the MEL Officer, ensure all activities and interventions are reported, with evidence of impact where possible.
• Administer tracking of beneficiary count records and maintaining the database in coordination with the Fund Director.

Identifying Challenges and Possibilities:

• Identify and address financing challenges for Palestinian businesses in Gaza, particularly women-owned.
• Contribute to designing market-driven interventions and incentives to actively engage more women and youth, aligning with identified trends.

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Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as business administration, economics, or business development.
• Minimum of four years of experience in entrepreneurship, private sector engagement, business development, or economic development, preferably in international development projects.
• Good knowledge of the economic landscape and challenges in the Gaza Strip.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team. 
• Ability to work under pressure and take initiative.
• Capable in planning and problem solving.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Ability to write reports and follow-up execution of component activities.
• Languages: Full Professional Proficiency in spoken and written English and Arabic are required.

To apply, please email your CV and a cover letter to [email protected] by 24/10/2024 indicating the position title and location. 

Global Communities positively welcomes and seeks applications from all sections of society. We are committed to a work environment that respects everyone's dignity and worth and offers equal opportunity. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment