The Aga Khan Foundation in Syria seeks to employ a Project Officer - Virtual Accelerate Prosperity for its office in Salamieh.

Virtual Accelerate Prosperity works on promoting and supporting entrepreneurship. Its main mandate is to contribute to building the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Syria through designing and implementing entrepreneurship support programs focused on capacity building, skill advancement and financing for startups and Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) in different governorates.

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Project Officer Virtual Accelerate Prosperity (VAP) will be responsible for implementing VAP project activities, collaborating closely with the Project Coordinator and providing regular progress updates. This role supports new (incubation) and existing (acceleration) businesses to launch or pivot towards growth and profitability. The incumbent will report directly to the Project Coordinator

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to the development of the work plan and budget for the project activities in line with the project requirements and in accordance with the approved timeframes.
• Maintain close coordination with the on-ground implementing partners to ensure that the implementation is compliant with the agreed plan and timelines and is being done with respect to the Syrian context.
• Ensure the project activities are planned and implemented with quality, effectiveness, efficiency and in full compliance with the donor and internal policies, procedures, and requirements.
• Ensure the AKF’s gender, safeguarding and environmental policies, standards and requirements are integrated and mainstreamed into project design, planning, budgeting, implementation, M&E and reporting.
• With the support and guidance of the Project Coordinator, lead the process of identification and contracting with reliable and capable local implementing partners.
• Conduct regular field visits to provide necessary administrative oversight and technical support to the project team and domestic implementing partners in planning and implementation of project activities, ensuring timely and quality fulfillment of their obligations, roles, and responsibilities.
• In Coordination with the Project Coordinator, liaise and establish a close partnership with project stakeholders including local authorities, relevant government agencies, research and academic institutions, LNGOs, INGOs and donor agencies that support and contribute to the implementation of the project activities.
• In partnership with Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) team, identify and develop project related research agenda and activities, ensure the project research, assessments and case studies are undertaken in adherence with the project work plan.
• Follow up with the AKF Procurement team to ensure the project procurement is initiated on time and implemented in line with the AKF procurement policy and donor requirements.
• Jointly with the project team develop and regularly update the project risk matrix.
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of the project activities in close collaboration with other projects and functions of AKF (MERL, finance, operation, procurement, partnership and grant), AKDN agencies and local partners and stakeholders to promote and ensure synergy, learning and sharing of best practices, knowledge and information.
• Establish a project-based data and information system to ensure the project-related data and information are regularly collected, analysed, stored, and available for use.
• Develop high-quality and result-based project narrative progress reports in compliance with the donor template and reporting timelines.

• The applicant must have a Bachelor's Degree in Economics, Business Administration or another related field.
• Three years of experience in designing, implementing or managing economic recovery or livelihoods projects; equivalent experience in the private sector will also be considered
• Experience in working with implementing partners and supervising the achievement of targets/activities in multiple areas.
• Knowledge of vocational training programs and linking skills development with labor market needs.
• Experience in designing/implementing entrepreneurial events/workshops.
• Good knowledge of business incubation and acceleration concepts and practices.
• Excellent command of the spoken and written English language.
• Good analytical, research and result-based report-writing skills.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.