Introduction

The International Labour Organization (ILO) plays a key role in advancing decent work solutions for displaced and returning populations across Syria and neighbouring countries. It supports coherence on labour mobility and skills recognition at the regional level, expands access to decent work in host countries, and contributes to sustainable returns and socio-economic recovery in Syria. Guided by Recommendation No. 205, the ILO applies a comprehensive approach that bridges humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts through the HDP Nexus.

Under this framework, the ILO will implement the Return and Rebuild project with UNHCR and UNICEF as part of the PROSPECTS Partnership. The project will strengthen labour market governance, expand access to market-relevant skills, and support inclusive economic recovery in both host and return settings. Key interventions include rehabilitating TVET centres, expanding modular and work-based training, promoting Recognition of Prior Learning, and strengthening enterprise development by supporting the recovery, growth, resilience and access to finance of start-ups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Through business diagnostics, business development services (BDS), entrepreneurship support, productivity enhancement, formalization, financial sector support and enterprise ecosystem strengthening, the project aims to promote sustainable job creation while addressing skills shortages, informality, and weakened productive capacity that constrain reintegration and local economic recovery.

Against this backdrop, the objective of the Technical Officer position is to coordinate and provide technical oversight for the implementation of the ILO’s enterprise development, including access to finance and entrepreneurship support interventions under the PROSPECTS programme in the targeted governorates. The position will be responsible for strengthening the capacities of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through entrepreneurship training, business development services, market linkages, and institutional capacity building as well as enabling the financial sector to better answer the financial needs of those MSMEs. This will be achieved by fostering partnerships with line ministries, employers’ organizations, BDS providers, financial institutions, and other ecosystem actors, while coordinating closely with implementing partners to ensure the timely and effective delivery of programme results. The position will be based in the ILO Office in Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic.

Reporting lines:

The incumbent will report to the Syria Country Coordinator & Technical Skills Specialist as first line manager and to the Regional Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) for PROSPECTS and Durable Solutions as Matrix Manager. The incumbent will receive technical guidance and backstopping support from the DWT Beirut Enterprise Specialist as well as from the concerned colleagues in the ILO HQ ENTERPRISES team.

Description of Duties

1. Assist and provide technical advice to the Regional Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) and Project Manager in the planning, implementation, design and monitoring of project activities related to enterprise development and access to finance, ensuring effective delivery of expected outputs, quality assurance, and integration of gender equality and non-discrimination in all interventions.
2. Under the guidance of the Programme Technical Officer for PROSPECTS and Durable Solutions, maintain close liaison with partner UN agencies, international and national NGOs, government institutions, employers' and workers' organizations, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, including  banks and microfinance institutions (MFIs), business development service (BDS) providers and implementing partners to ensure the effective implementation of project activities and the achievement of planned results.
3. Identify implementation challenges, recommend practical solutions, and liaise in coordination with relevant ILO colleagues with government counterparts, implementing partners and other stakeholders to facilitate timely implementation of project activities.
4. Provide technical advice to government counterparts and implementing partners on enterprise development, including entrepreneurship and enterprise formalization. Design and support integrated enterprise development interventions by strengthening linkages between business development services, entrepreneurship training, mentoring, market access and financial inclusion, while fostering a conducive enterprise ecosystem.
5. Coordinate the adaptation, implementation and institutionalization of ILO enterprise development methodologies, including Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) and Financial Education programmes, through Training of Trainers (ToT), certification, quality assurance and localization of training materials  
6. Promote innovative, inclusive and sustainable approaches to enterprise development, including digital, green, youth and women entrepreneurship, and scalable business support models. through business development services (BDS), productivity improvement, market linkages, access to finance and formalization support, and partnerships with relevant public and private stakeholders.
7. Develop training materials and organize training workshops technical meetings and consultation sessions to enhance capacity building for government institutions, financial service providers, and business development organization, undertake field missions to monitor project implementation, provide technical guidance and assess progress against agreed results.
8. Support the effective management of project budgets and contribute to the monitoring of project expenditures in accordance with ILO financial and administrative procedures.
9. Prepare and review technical progress reports, briefing notes, background papers, factsheets, presentations, official correspondence and other communication materials to support project implementation, donor reporting and the visibility of project achievements in close coordination with the MEAL team.
10. Contribute to the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned, good practices, and technical knowledge related to enterprise development, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion, and promote knowledge sharing across ILO programmes.
11. Perform other related duties as assigned by the management.

Required qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in: Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or another relevant field.

A first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in a relevant discipline plus two additional years of relevant experience.

Experience

• At least five years of relevant professional experience in the fields of enterprise development, including entrepreneurship promotion or financial inclusion.

• Proven experience in working for technical cooperation projects or institutions related to MSME development, enterprise development, entrepreneurship, business development services (BDS), financial education, and access to finance. Good knowledge of local economic development and livelihoods programming is desirable.

• Previous experience with the United Nations or international organizations is a strong advantage.
• Knowledge of ILO enterprise development and social finance approaches and tools, including Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB), Financial Education (FE), and other ILO methodologies, would be an advantage. Demonstrated experience in implementing SIYB and Financial Education programmes, including Training of Trainers (ToT), certification of national trainers, quality assurance, and the institutionalization of these methodologies within national partner institutions, is highly desirable.
• Experience working in forced displacement or humanitarian contexts is desirable. Familiarity with ILO policies, procedures, and programming approaches, including work with ministries of labour, economic development, or financial institutions, would be an asset.

Languages

Excellent command of Arabic and English (written and spoken) languages is needed. 

Competencies

• Ability to provide technical advice and to guide and coordinate the work of external collaborators, general service staff and young professionals in the area of specialization.
• Ability to synthesize data and conceptualise, and produce research outputs covering a wide range of issues in the specialized technical field.
• Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies.
• Ability to draft reports and prepare guidelines relating to programme development and implementation.
• Ability to provide technical support to senior specialists, carrying out research, project formulation and implementation.
• Ability to participate effectively in technical missions and to provide technical inputs for the ILO Decent Work Agenda.
• Excellent analytical skills and knowledge of analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• Good computer skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.
• Knowledge of UN programmes, operations and technical cooperation project management.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodologies, including Results-Based Management (RBM), Theory of Change and Logical Framework approaches.
• Demonstrated knowledge of enterprise ecosystem development, including financial sector actors, business incubators, accelerators, employer organizations, chambers of commerce and innovation support mechanisms.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with government institutions, employers' and workers' organizations, the banking and financial sector, implementing partners, UN agencies and other development partners.
• Excellent organizational, coordination and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong communication, negotiation and networking skills, with the ability to advocate for and promote enterprise development, financial inclusion and access to finance initiatives.
• Ability to deliver capacity-building activities and provide technical guidance to implementing partners and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as lead and contribute effectively within multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• High standards of integrity, transparency and accountability.

optional section (if needed)

Candidates assessed by the Panel and considered to be eligible for appointment but who are not selected for this vacant post may be offered an assignment to another position at the same or lower grade provided that they meet the minimum qualifications required.