Livelihood Improvement Officer

Location: Gaza Strip (South)
Contract Type: Full-Time
Contract Duration: 10 Months (Provisional to donor approval)
Application Deadline: 3/12/2024

About GCDG:

Gaza Culture and Development Group (GCDG) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development and improving cultural awareness within society. GCDG is officially registered with the relevant authorities.

Program Overview:

GCDG is seeking a Livelihood Improvement Officer for the (ILEED) program, GCDG in partnership with Global Communities implementing USAID Improve Livelihoods and Enhance Economic Development (ILEED). This program will focus on promoting resilient livelihoods in Gaza Strip and give households the tools they need to cope with recurrent crises.  ILEED will engage both the demand and supply actors within the conflict affected market system. Program’s activities will support the production of and access to basic products and services that community entrepreneurs are already engaged in producing and providing, as well as encourage community entrepreneurs to fill critical service gaps with localized solutions. ILEED will also work to increasing access to resources and basic commodities to support community development and resilience

Position Overview:
The Livelihood Improvement Officer will oversee and manage livelihood-related activities within the Improve Livelihoods and Enhance Economic Development (ILEED) project, implemented in partnership with Global Communities. The ILEED project is designed to support micro-enterprises and income-generation initiatives, whether operated by individuals, households, or micro-businesses, to strengthen economic resilience in Gaza.

The officer will focus on ensuring that vulnerable economic actors, particularly those involved in essential sectors like food access and essential services, are equipped with the financial and technical resources to restore operations, sustain livelihoods, and generate income. This role will include supporting direct cash assistance, wage support programs, and market linkages to address disruptions in the local economy caused by conflict.

The Livelihood Improvement Officer will engage directly with project beneficiaries, suppliers, consultants, economic actors, and humanitarian partners to ensure effective implementation. The role requires a hands-on approach to managing activities efficiently, fostering collaboration among these stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with the project’s results framework and developmental best practices.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Supervise and implement support for small business owners through a transparent and organized beneficiary selection process, ensuring adherence to ILEED’s established criteria.
2. Identify and engage vulnerable economic actors, including individual entrepreneurs, household-based businesses, and micro-businesses, eligible for cash grants to restore or strengthen their operations.
3. Promote beneficiary accountability, participatory approaches, and compliance with the ILEED results framework throughout the project lifecycle.
4. Oversee the technical management of livelihood interventions, ensuring alignment with project objectives, market-based approaches, and best practices in economic resilience.
5. Develop and deliver targeted training modules for micro-business owners, focusing on sustainable livelihood strategies, business management, and market linkage techniques.
6. Facilitate engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders, including beneficiaries, suppliers, consultants, economic actors, and humanitarian partners, to ensure effective implementation and support for market-based solutions.
7. Monitor and document the progress and accomplishments of supported businesses, utilizing digital tools for data collection and analysis to inform adaptive management.
8. Supervise the end-to-end data collection process, including baseline data registration, verification visits, and monitoring updates, to ensure accurate reporting on business outcomes and impact.
9. Assist businesses in developing tailored business development plans in collaboration with consultants, addressing financial, operational, and market needs.
10. Conduct regular market assessments to identify available materials, suppliers, pricing trends, and other market dynamics to ensure businesses are equipped to operate efficiently within the local context.
11. Coordinate market linkage activities, including organizing workshops and events that connect local producers, humanitarian actors, and markets to facilitate sustainable business growth.
12. Produce case studies, success stories, and learning reports that highlight the impact of project interventions on livelihoods and community resilience.
13. Collaborate with the communications team to share project successes and key outcomes on various platforms, including reports, social media, and donor communications.
14. Provide regular updates and detailed reports on project activities, challenges, and achievements to the project coordinator and implementing partners.
15. Participate in adaptive program management processes, leveraging monitoring and evaluation findings to refine activities and enhance project outcomes.
16. Support wage support activities by facilitating the identification and onboarding of skilled and unskilled workers to sustain micro-business operations.

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field. A Master’s degree is an advantage.

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in livelihoods, micro-business support, economic development, or related fields, preferably in conflict-affected or humanitarian settings.
• Strong understanding of livelihood strategies, micro-enterprise development, and market linkage approaches.
• Deep understanding of the social, economic, and market dynamics in Gaza, including challenges faced by vulnerable populations.
• Proficiency in designing and delivering training programs for small business owners or similar audiences.
• Competence in data collection, analysis, and reporting using digital tools or systems.
• Ability to conduct market assessments to identify material availability, supplier networks, and pricing trends.
• Demonstrated experience in managing market-based interventions, cash assistance programs, and livelihood enhancement activities.
• Familiarity with Rapid Market Assessments (RMA) and market dynamics in Gaza or similar contexts.

• Proven ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, including economic actors, suppliers, consultants, and humanitarian partners.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative and culturally diverse environment.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

• Problem-solving mindset, with adaptability to respond to changing needs and contexts.
•  Commitment to upholding the principles of transparency, accountability, and participatory development.
• Sensitivity to the needs of vulnerable populations, including youth, women, and people with disabilities.

Conditions

Job Title: Livelihood Officer (The position is based in south of Gaza strip)

Contract Duration: 10 months

Working Hours: Standard office working hours from Sunday to Thursday.

Note: "The position is provisional to donor  funding"

Interested applicants should send a detailed CV and motivation letter in English to: gcdg.recruitment@gmail.com  titled with “Livelihood Officer” before 03/12/2024