The Trade Facilitation and Customs Support programme (Tasdeer) is a programme funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by consortium led by Cowater International. Our objective is to improve the Palestinian private sector’s competitiveness and the PA’s capacity in trade, customs and import policy regulation and administration. Tasdeer aims to increase sustainable private sector-led economic growth and job creation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and the PA’s fiscal sustainability while ensuring equitable access to increased trade and improved institutional capacity.

Tasdeer is committed to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), and to ensuring that the benefits of the programme are equally accessed by all groups throughout the supply chain. The interventions implemented are designed to take into consideration the roles and needs of women, youth, and people with disabilities, including those in marginalized areas (i.e., East Jerusalem, seam zone, area C and Gaza), ensuring that all interventions and activities are GESI responsive.

Description of Role: Business Advisor

The Business Advisor (BA) will work with the Work Stream Lead to identify, foster, and support business growth strategies for private sector firms and across promising sector/clusters.

S/he will work on the delivery of matching grants component and other targeted interventions to improve private sector skills, innovation and competitiveness.

The BA is expected to analyse business practices and provide technical assistance and work hand in hand with applicants and potential grantees to design and implement growth plans targeted to enter new markets and/or expand in current ones, thus generating increase in sales, exports and employment opportunities.

The BA will work with the Tasdeer team to achieve the programme goals. S/he must have technical expertise in private sector development and experience in designing and leading assessments and interventions in the promotion, development, and market expansion of the private sector at the firm and sector levels in several potential value chains.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The BA will support the Tasdeer team in the design and implementation of activities to enhance private sector competitiveness, skills, innovation, and exports. The BA will be responsible for the following tasks/activities:

• Work with local firms to identify potentials for expanding sales and diversifying exports. Build relationships with candidate enterprises, leading to development of a shared vision about their needs and recommendations to improve their competitiveness, create business growth and create jobs.
• Carry out regular site visits to applicants and assess firms’ capabilities and export growth potentials and interrelated needs.
• Provide direct assistance and coaching to firms in the development of Business Growth Plans that are geared towards measurable and quantifiable results (a growth in sales and exports, jobs generated, enhanced competitiveness, etc.), with focus on Women, Youth and marginalised groups.
• Support firms to identify ways to enhance linkages with local suppliers for increased sales and exports and promote the concept where needed.
• Support proper implementation of Grants’ firm level activities and maintain a day-to-day supervision of service providers assignments implementation.
• Provide support to the procurement processes including participation in ToR preparations, contract awarding and reviewing of deliverables.
• Monitor firms’ progress during the implementation of Grant activities and conduct regular field visits.
• Maintain project and client information on the project information system, according to project standards.
• Support the Tasdeer team including the Knowledge Management Lead, GESI Lead, Communications Lead, Monitoring and Evaluation Team on issues pertaining to their area of responsibility.
• Other duties, as requested by the Work Stream Lead.

Reporting Lines and Managerial Responsibilities:

• This role reports to Work Stream 3 Lead.
• This role includes the responsibility of managing consultants working within Workstream 3.

Required Expertise and Competencies: A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, or related fields. Holding an MBA degree is a plus.  At least Seven (7) years of practical experience, from which minimum four (4) years of work experience in business development and private sector development.  Previous experience with donor funded economic growth projects in Palestine.  Previous working experience supporting exporting companies develop and implement export growth plans.  Exposure to various sectors and industries including but not limited to: Agriculture and Agribusiness, light manufacturing, and Information Technology.  Ability to understand the strength and weaknesses of private sector enterprises and help them reach a higher level of global competitiveness. Ability to understand and structure business incentives for exporters / local suppliers enhanced linkages.  Strong analytical, verbal and writing skills in English and Arabic. Native English ability is preferred. Ability to produce accurate and concise draft reports at pace.  Strong team player with ability to adapt to different work styles within the team.  Pro-activeness, dedication, and a conscientious professional approach. Tasdeer offers equal employment opportunities to qualified women and men, Youth and PWDs.