Job Description

Office Project Assistant (Private Sector)

Job Posting: 22/Feb/2024   

Closure Date: 5/Mar/2024

Job Type: Project-based Contract Ends December 31st, 2024   

Position Status: Full-Time Job -Thirty-Five hours a week    

Location: Sana'a

About SMEPS:

(SMEPS) The Small and Micro Enterprises Promotion Services Agency is a subsidiary of the Social Fund for Development (SFD) and it was established in 2006.
SMEPS scope of work is in 3 main components, Business Development, Value Chain Analysis, and Entrepreneurship. Providing non-financial facilities and small business development services through innovative and creative projects that help the growth of the activities in this sector.
SMEPS main office is in Sanaa with two other branches in (Aden - Al Mukalla),

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, economics, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience working in private sector development, project management, or SME support roles
• Strong understanding of SME challenges and opportunities within the local context.
• Good communication skills
• Capability of data collection, analysis, and report writing.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Fluency in Arabic and English (written and spoken) necessary.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Implementation and Coordination:

• Assist in the coordination and execution of project activities, ensuring alignment with project plans and deadlines.
• Coordinate the logistics for training workshops, capacity building events, and stakeholder meetings, ensuring Quality of work and participant engagement.
• Handling the data entry of clear and accurate records of project activities, progress, and outcomes, utilizing designated SMEPS data management systems.

SME Outreach and Support:

• Assist the project officer in outreaching the potential SME beneficiaries through different channels, disseminating information about project opportunities and eligibility criteria.
• Provide initial screening and assessment of SME applications for project support, gathering relevant information and conducting basic due diligence, and give feedback to the project officer.
• Field visits to the delivery of technical assistance and training to SMEs, contributing to business plan development.
• Reviewing the grant purchasing process documents, ensuring that they are compatible with the market, and disbursing them to the beneficiaries.
• Organize the work of the project technical committee and manage the project grant system and the communication with beneficiaries.
• Performing any other tasks assigned related to the job.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Support the project officer with collaboration with M&E team on Collecting data from SMEs and stakeholders through surveys, interviews, and performance indicators, ensuring data quality and adherence to ethical guidelines.
• Contribute to the analysis of projects data using appropriate tools and methodologies, identifying trends, patterns, and areas for improvement.
• Prepare regular progress reports for the Project Officer, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and recommendations for project optimization.

Administrative and Logistical Support:

• Prepare contracts, procurement documents, and disbursement requests according to SMEPS procedures and guidelines.
• Archive project files and records in an organized and accessible manner, ensuring compliance with documentation requirements.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Field visits to SMEs and stakeholder meetings, providing support and gathering insights for project improvement.
• Assist in the development of communication materials and outreach strategies to promote project visibility and impact.
• Remain flexible and adaptable, readily taking on additional tasks as assigned by the Project Officer, to ensure the successful implementation of SMEPS private sector development projects.