Business Development Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 194

• Its primary mission is to provide assistance and protection to approximately 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. UNRWA aims to help these refugees achieve their full potential in human development while awaiting a just resolution to their situation. The agency operates the largest UN operation in the Middle East, employing over 30,000 staff members. UNRWA's services include education, healthcare, relief and social services, camp infrastructure improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. The agency is primarily funded through voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations, and individual donations. UNRWA is committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, and it seeks individuals who share this vision to join its team.

Job Overview:
The Business Development Officer will work under the supervision of the Programme Manager/Project Manager and will receive technical guidance from the Recovery Programme team. This position is field-based, requiring regular movement to various locations such as camps, community centers, and households for outreach, verification, coaching, and monitoring purposes. The role involves coordinating closely with various stakeholders, including the Chief Area Office, Area Office focal points, and colleagues from different departments such as Social Services and Microfinance. The distribution of Business Development Officers will be determined by the project's geographic coverage and operational demand rather than an equal distribution across areas. The incumbent will report to the Area Project Officer and will play a crucial role in supporting the livelihoods of Palestine refugees through business development initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to:

• Supporting outreach, registration, and intake of applicants for small business grants, toolkits, and training-linked livelihood support.
• Screening applications against approved eligibility, vulnerability, and project criteria.
• Reviewing proposed and existing business activities to assess feasibility, market demand, cost realism, and operational risks.
• Conducting basic market assessments to identify livelihood opportunities and market trends relevant to targeted communities.
• Assisting applicants in developing simple business plans, including inputs, budget, expected sales, implementation milestones, and risk mitigation measures.
• Preparing verification notes and case summaries for review by relevant committees.
• Conducting field verifications, including home and business site visits, and documentation reviews.
• Completing verification forms and supporting documentation based on evidence.
• Supporting the Selection Committee by providing complete case files and assessment findings. 1
• Informing applicants who are not selected and managing appeals or complaints. 1
• Supporting beneficiaries post-approval to verify the use of assistance and monitor business progress. 1
• Providing coaching on various business management aspects. 1
• Referring beneficiaries to relevant services as needed. 1
• Coordinating with training and community centers to confirm training relevance and attendance. 1
• Tracking beneficiary progress through regular visits and follow-ups. 1
• Identifying and reporting risks related to business plans and support misuse. 1
• Maintaining accurate beneficiary files and ensuring confidentiality of data. 1
• Submitting regular progress updates to the supervisor. 1
• Performing other related duties as required by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong field coordination and community engagement skills, the ability to assess small business feasibility, and a good understanding of vulnerability, protection, gender, and inclusion considerations. They should have strong documentation, verification, and reporting skills, as well as the ability to manage confidential beneficiary information. Good communication and interpersonal skills are essential, along with the ability to work under pressure and coordinate with multiple teams. Integrity, impartiality, and accountability in beneficiary selection and follow-up are crucial. A practical understanding of livelihoods, small grants, TVET, microfinance, or early recovery programming is also required. Desirable qualifications include experience in business assessment, beneficiary verification, market assessment, coaching, monitoring, or cash/grant-based assistance.

Educational Background:
A university degree from an accredited institution in Business Administration, Economics, Development Studies, Social Science, Livelihoods, Microfinance, Entrepreneurship, Project Management, or related fields is required for this position.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least four 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. Experience working with vulnerable communities, refugees, or conflict-affected populations is considered an asset.

Languages:
English and Arabic are required for this position. The minimum required level for each skill in these languages is UN Level II, which includes reading, writing, listening, and speaking proficiency.

Additional Notes:
This position is a daily paid assignment for up to three months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. The daily rate is $35.97, and the salary may be subject to a reduced work schedule. Additional benefits include one day of annual leave and one day of sick leave for each completed month of service. Only candidates residing in Syria and authorized to work in the duty station at the time of application are eligible to apply. UNRWA will not facilitate work permits, and preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and underrepresented genders to promote gender parity. The agency encourages applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from this selection exercise for future vacancies. All applications must be submitted through UNRWA's online e-recruitment system, and providing incorrect information may lead to disqualification.