Enterprise Technical Officer, Damascus, Syria

## Enterprise Technical Officer, Damascus, Syria - Organization:ILO - International Labour Organization - Office:ILO in Damascus, Syria Enterprise Technical Officer Vacancy no.:BEY/DC/P/2026/07 Publication date: 18 August 2026 Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 01 September 2026 Department:RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut Organization Unit:RO-Arab States/DWT-Beirut Contract type:Fixed Term Contract duration:One year Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General. In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the present vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their candidature online by the above date. Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance. The following are eligible to apply: - ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations. The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to[email protected]. The International Labour Organization (ILO) plays a key role in advancing decent work solutions for displaced and returning populations across Syria and neighbouring countries. It supports coherence on labour mobility and skills recognition at the regional level, expands access to decent work in host countries, and contributes to sustainable returns and socio-economic recovery in Syria. Guided by Recommendation No. 205, the ILO applies a comprehensive approach that bridges humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts through the HDP Nexus. Under this framework, the ILO will implement the Return and Rebuild project with UNHCR and UNICEF as part of the PROSPECTS Partnership. The project will strengthen labour market governance, expand access to market-relevant skills, and support inclusive economic recovery in both host and return settings. Key interventions include rehabilitating TVET centres, expanding modular and work-based training, promoting Recognition of Prior Learning, and strengthening enterprise development by supporting the recovery, growth, resilience and access to finance of start-ups and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Through business diagnostics, business development services (BDS), entrepreneurship support, productivity enhancement, formalization, financial sector support and enterprise ecosystem strengthening, the project aims to promote sustainable job creation while addressing skills shortages, informality, and weakened productive capacity that constrain reintegration and local economic recovery. Against this backdrop, the objective of the Technical Officer position is to coordinate and provide technical oversight for the implementation of the ILO's enterprise development, including access to finance and entrepreneurship support interventions under the PROSPECTS programme in the targeted governorates. The position will be responsible for strengthening the capacities of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through entrepreneurship training, business development services, market linkages, and institutional capacity building as well as enabling the financial sector to better answer the financial needs of those MSMEs. This will be achieved by fostering partnerships with line ministries, employers' organizations, BDS providers, financial institutions, and other ecosystem actors, while coordinating closely with implementing partners to ensure the timely and effective delivery of programme results. The position will be based in the ILO Office in Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic. The incumbent will report to the Syria Country Coordinator & Technical Skills Specialist as first line manager and to the Regional Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) for PROSPECTS and Durable Solutions as Matrix Manager. The incumbent will receive technical guidance and backstopping support from the DWT Beirut Enterprise Specialist as well as from the concerned colleagues in the ILO HQ ENTERPRISES team. Description of Duties - Assist and provide technical advice to the Regional Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) and Project Manager in the planning, implementation, design and monitoring of project activities related to enterprise development and access to finance, ensuring effective delivery of expected outputs, quality assurance, and integration of gender equality and non-discrimination in all interventions. - Under the guidance of the Programme Technical Officer for PROSPECTS and Durable Solutions, maintain close liaison with partner UN agencies, international and national NGOs, government institutions, employers' and workers' organizations, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, including banks and microfinance institutions (MFIs), business development service (BDS) providers and implementing partners to ensure the effective implementation of project activities and the achievement of planned results. - Identify implementation challenges, recommend practical solutions, and liaise in coordination with relevant ILO colleagues with government counterparts, implementing partners and other stakeholders to facilitate timely implementation of project activities. - Provide technical advice to government counterparts and implementing partners on enterprise development, including entrepreneurship and enterprise formalization. Design and support integrated enterprise development interventions by strengthening linkages between business development services, entrepreneurship training, mentoring, market access and financial inclusion, while fostering a conducive enterprise ecosystem. - Coordinate the adaptation, implementation and institutionalization of ILO enterprise development methodologies, including Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) and Financial Education programmes, through Training of Trainers (ToT), certification, quality assurance and localization of training materials - Promote innovative, inclusive and sustainable approaches to enterprise development, including digital, green, youth and women entrepreneurship, and scalable business support models. through business development services (BDS), productivity improvement, market linkages, access to finance and formalization support, and partnerships with relevant public and private stakeholders. - Develop training materials and organize training workshops technical meetings and consultation sessions to enhance capacity building for government institutions, financial service providers, and business development organization, undertake field missions to monitor project implementation, provide technical guidance and assess progress against agreed results. - Support the effective management of project budgets and contribute to the monitoring of project expenditures in accordance with ILO financial and administrative procedures. - Prepare and review technical progress reports, briefing notes, background papers, factsheets, presentations, official correspondence and other communication materials to support project implementation, donor reporting and the visibility of project achievements in close coordination with the MEAL team. - Contribute to the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned, good practices, and technical knowledge related to enterprise development, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusi