Business Development Officer - Early Recovery Livelihood Project - All Areas - Band F, D

The Business Development Officer supports outreach, registration, screening, and verification of applicants for small business grants and livelihood support under the Early Recovery Livelihood Project. The role involves field-based coordination, business feasibility assessments, coaching beneficiaries, and monitoring progress to support vulnerable Palestine refugee communities.

Responsibilities

• Supports outreach, registration and intake of applicants for small business grants, toolkits and training-linked livelihood support
• Screens Applications against approved eligibility, vulnerability and project criteria
• Reviews proposed and existing business activities to assess feasibility, market demand, cost realism and basic operational risks and business viability
• Conducts basic market assessments to identify value livelihood opportunities, value chain gaps and emerging market trends relevant to targeted communities
• Supports applicants to develop simple business plans, including required inputs, budget, expected sales, implementation milestones, risks and mitigation measures
• Prepares clear verification notes, case summaries ad supporting documents for review by the relevant committees
• Conducts field verification, including home visits, business site visits, documentation review and cross-checking of beneficiary information
• Completes approved verification forms, score sheets and supporting documentation based on evidence and proper records
• Supports the Selection Committee and Scoring Committee by providing complete case files, business assessment findings, verification records and clarification where required
• Ensures that applicants who are not selected are informed through the approved communication channels and that appeals or complaints are referred through the appropriate mechanism
• Supports selected beneficiaries after grant or toolkit approval to verify use of assistance, business progress and achievement of agreed milestones
• Provides basic coaching to beneficiaries on costing, pricing, recordkeeping, stock management, customer relations and simple cash-flow planning
• Supports referrals to TVET, Microfinance, RSSP, Social Services, Community Centres and other relevant services, where needed
• Coordinates with TVET and Community Centres to confirm training relevance, beneficiary attendance, completion and linkage to livelihood opportunities
• Coordinates with Microfinance colleagues where beneficiaries may require financial literacy, business advice or linkage to suitable financial services
• Tracks beneficiary progress through regular field visits, phone follow-up, post-support monitoring and documentation of business status
• Identifies and report risks, including unrealistic business plans, inflated costs, duplication of assistance, misuse of support, conflict of interest, safeguarding concerns and protection-related issues
• Maintains accurate beneficiary files, including application forms, verification notes, business plans, scoring records, committee decisions, coaching notes and monitoring updates
• Ensures that gender equality, disability inclusion, age sensitivity and protection principles are considered throughout outreach, assessment, selection, referrals, coaching and follow-up
• Maintains confidentiality of beneficiary data, complaints, appeals and case documentation in line with UNRWA data protection and accountability requirements
• Submits regular progress updates to the supervisor, including completed cases, field challenges, complaints, risks and recommended follow-up actions
• Performs other related duties as required by the supervisor within the scope of the Early Recovery, Res

Requirements

• A University degree from an accredited institution in Business Administration, Economics, Development Studies, Social Science, Livelihoods, Microfinance, Entrepreneurship, Project management or related subject is required
• At least three years of relevant experience in livelihoods, small business development, entrepreneurship support, microfinance, community-based programming, field verification, grants support, vocational training linkage or early recovery programming is required
• Experience in business assessment, beneficiary verification, market assessment, coaching, monitoring or cash/grant-based assistance are desirable
• Experience working with vulnerable communities, refugees, Palestine refugees or conflict-affected populations is an asset
• Ability to assess small business feasibility and market relevance
• Good understanding of vulnerability, protection, gender and inclusion considerations
• Strong documentation, verification and reporting skills
• Ability to manage confidential beneficiary information
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to coordinate with multiple programme and field teams
• Integrity, impartiality and accountability in beneficiary selection and follow-up
• Practical understanding of livelihoods, small grants, TVET, microfinance or early recovery programming

Skills

• Business Development
• Livelihood Programming
• Small Business Development
• Entrepreneurship Support
• Microfinance Lending
• Community-Based Programs
• Field Verification
• Grants Support
• Vocational Training Linkage
• Early Recovery Programming
• Business Assessment
• Beneficiary data verification
• Market Assessments
• Coaching
• Monitoring
• Cash assistance programs
• Grant-Based Assistance
• Small Business Feasibility Assessment
• Market Relevance Assessment
• Vulnerability and Risk Assessment
• Protection Considerations
• Gender Inclusion
• Documentation
• Reporting
• Confidential Information Management
• Programme Coordination
• Field Coordination
• Small-Grants Management
• TVET Programming

Languages

English, Arabic