TERMS OF REFERENCE

EMPLOYABILITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP OFFICER 

WEST BANK- oPt

BACKGROUND

Alianza por la Solidaridad (Alianza) is a Spanish NGO existing since more than 30 years and present in the Middle East since 1993. From 2009 till now it has developed a process of sectorial and geographical targeting for its interventions, which has meant the prioritization of women’s rights and gender equality. Alianza in the Middle East works within three main lines of action: 

1. Prevention and response for Gender Based Violence, individual and community approach. 
2. Women´s economic empowerment. 
3. Women´s participation and active citizenship. 

Alianza maintains stable local partners with whom it works in a sustained manner and deepening not the relations and regular contacts through the office in the field, but a fluid communication and analysis of the changes caused by the protracted conflict-related crisis and humanitarian situation in Palestine. Engaging men is a key piece to achieve meaningful results in gender equality, therefore, since 2017, there is a progressive work on implementing a new masculinities approach with community members and with CBOs, partners and other key actors. Alianza cooperates closely with its partners and support their work in a manner that represent Alianza and the partners values. Alianza has extensive experience and expertise on women´s rights and there is a high degree of knowledge about the environment and the unique relation with the population, civil society organizations, other humanitarian actors and local public entities. 

Alianza por la Solidaridad is member of Action Aid since June 2018. Both entities share the idea that when people become aware that their future is in their hands and organize to challenge power structures and contribute to improving and changing institutions, changes can succeed. These changes should take place on a global scale in order to generate maximum impact, and they should be rooted in the political values of solidarity and internationalism. In addition, for Action Aid and Alianza, social justice, gender equality and climate justice are achieved through individual and collective actions that actively change inequitable and unjust power relationships, either hidden, visible, or invisible, from the home to local, national, and international spaces. The empowerment of people that live in poverty and marginalization, and of women and youth is a crucial part of creating these changes. Collective efforts and fights are stronger when they are bound together through solidarity, campaigns and common causes between communities, organizations, social movements and other allies to influence local and global institutions and public policies.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

Alianza is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct. We are also committed to preventing and responding to any form of sexual harassment, exploitation and child abuse and abuse of adults at-risk, whether carried out by staff/representatives or resulting from our work. Alianza expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Employability and Entrepreneurship Officer is responsible for supporting implementation of specific projects and initiatives focused on the development of business, entrepreneurship, employment opportunities and employability skills in coordination with project partners. 

There is particularly emphasis on youth and women, thus addressing cross-cutting issues such as the promotion of women’s socio-economic empowerment and the enhancement of vulnerable people employability. Particular attention is devoted to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), vectors for innovation and economic growth and linked to green economy.

Reporting Line: 

The Employability and Entrepreneurship Officer will report to the Program Manager.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibility 1: Project activities implementation

• Ensure correct implementation of projects by providing input for planning, execution, coordination, and monitoring and evaluation of activities related to livelihoods in order to achieve project goals within the set deadline.
• Design, supervision, and implementation of activities, in accordance with multiple objectives, activities and targets outlined within current donor proposals and in line with projects’ budget.
• Support of conducting needs assessments, awareness raising and information activities.
• Support of selection and registration of beneficiaries, according to set vulnerability criteria.
• Monitor progress of businesses established. 
• Facilitation of Development trainings such as employability, entrepreneurship, and digital skills trainings and other workshops
• Support to skilled youth and women to enter the workforce through internships and/or employment and/or business mentorship activities (referrals, tailored projects, peer-to-peer activities).
• Lead monitoring training sessions and ensuring all necessary documentation is collected.
• Lead Entrepreneurship/employability Skills Development Coach to closely supervise and provide support to seed funding and small businesses.
• Work with the entrepreneurs to identify and evaluate the profitability and sustainability of new business opportunities
• In collaboration with the Project Manager, closely supervise the disbursement and implementation of small grants to the small businesses supported.
• Assist the small businesses in troubleshooting supply, production, distribution, or bookkeeping issues.

Responsibility 2: Liaise and capacity building for project partners 

• Liaise with project partners to ensure lessons learned are gathered and disseminated to project stakeholders.
• Conduct regular check-ins with the Entrepreneurship/employability Skills Development Coach to monitor the progress of livelihoods activities implemented by partners.
• Provide the necessary technical input in the domain of Employment Promotion and Business Development in order to achieve the project’s technical performance in accordance with donor requirements , national and international norms and standards.
• Ensure quality of services and contribute to organizing knowledge building and knowledge management in the domain of Employment Promotion and Business Development in order to create an inclusive, informed climate of trust within the project partners.
• Develop partner entities in order to contribute to the improvement of their organization, processes and systems and of their staff’s competences.
• Support livelihoods activities implemented by partners and follow-up beneficiaries economic-development plans and performance. Ensure that gaps, challenges, and opportunities are identified and take onto consideration during implementation.

Responsibility 3: cross-cutting tasks

• Provide detailed activity reports, activity plans and collecting sources of verification and administrative documentation needed when implementing activities.
• Keep abreast of policy developments and situation updates in the country, and advocate towards the economic inclusion and livelihoods of women and people with specific needs.
• Keep abreast of green economic initiatives in the country, and advocate towards the economic inclusion and livelihoods linked with sustainable economic projects.
• Maintain regular communication with livelihoods and economic inclusion focal points in the country, identify gaps, opportunities, and provide guidance and capacity building for impactful livelihoods programming in Alianza.
• Coordinate relevant technical assessments and research conducted by Alianza in the livelihoods field.
• Support the identification of investment and funding opportunities that enhance the economic inclusion of women in the region.
• Develop and mobilize partnerships for the economic inclusion and improved livelihoods.
• Mapping and facilitate coordination with other relevant stakeholders: women economic initiatives, CBOs, CSOs, international NGOs, business companies, sustainable projects, and other relevant stakeholders. 
• Work with the team and partners to assess the legal framework for the right to work and rights at work in the country and region and recommend/implement advocacy initiatives and policy reforms to improve women economic inclusion, rights and access to work.
• Manage the livelihoods and economic inclusion activities in coordination with the Program Manager and partners, develop/update strategy, plan, monitor, report on and evaluate results linked to livelihoods. 
• Conduct necessary assessments and research in collaboration with relevant private and public stakeholders, including impact assessments on local economies and surveys that help to identify investment and funding opportunities that enhance the economic inclusion women and people with specific needs.

Security

• Implement and enforce safety standards and criteria for office 

Security and Code of Conduct

• Apply and adhere to the internal regulations in Alianza office in Palestine, including safety regulations.
• Respect Alianza’s code of conduct for the office

IN ADDITION, HE/SHE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR OTHER TASKS THAT MAY BE ENTRUSTED TO HIM/HER BY THE DIRECT SUPERVISOR.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

Required qualifications and experience:

• Master’s degree in Business Management; Socio-Economics Development; Economics/International Economics Rural Development; Environment, Financial Management; or another relevant field.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in employment promotion and/or business development.
• Experience as a trainer and capacity building in vocational training, employability or entrepreneurship is an asset.
• Experience starting and running a business is an asset.
• Gender mainstreaming training and/or gender working experience is an asset.

Required skills and knowledge:

• Technical competencies in sub-sectors relevant to livelihoods programming e.g., financial inclusion, employment, entrepreneurship, private sector development, local economic development, poverty reduction, agriculture, livestock, vocational and technical education, and training, etc. 
• Experience in facilitating the economic inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized groups and managing and advising on development processes in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, ideally in varied field contexts. 
• Experience in working with and developing partnerships with private sector, NGOs, UN organisations, development actors, and government authorities in sub-sectors relevant to livelihood programming. 
• Experience in conducting sector assessments using quality social-science methods and tools, and in developing at least one comprehensive multi-year strategic plan for livelihoods support.
• Good knowledge of the national and international framework on social inclusion, more specifically inclusion of women in employment and business development opportunities.
• Familiar with working with the European and International donors. 
• Skills in leading meetings, workshops and focus groups are an asset.
• Familiar with results-based management, logical framework and monitoring and evaluation tools.
• Strong affinity with and easily use various digital tools and new technologies.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.
• Fluent in spoken and written Arabic. Considering the working language of Palestine and the international environment in which you work, excellent knowledge of English is required. 

CONTRACT AND WORKING CONDITIONS 

APS will provide a Labour Contract for 30 hours per week with a salary range of 3.750 NIS to 4.390 NIS (salary range already adjusted to part-time and not including severances), and the starting date ASAP. The exact salary will be defined according to the relevant recognized experience for the function.  

Place of work is Jerusalem office but travels to the West Bank and Gaza can be expected. Costs of trips to West Bank and Gaza are covered by Alianza according to the organization standards. 

Estimated duration of the contract is until 31th December 2022, with 3 month probation period and great possibilities of extension.

Only applicants who have the required qualities, experience, and skills will be considered. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Interested applicants must include:

• A resume (in English) 
• A cover letter explaining their suitability for the position (in English).

Please submit your application by e- mail to [email protected] no later than Monday, 28th of February 2021 at 11:59 PM local time in Palestine and include the “Employability and Entrepreneurship Officer” in the subject line and cover letter. 

Applications received after this date will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.