TERM: 
Full-time
JOB DESCRIPTION: 
The Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC), is looking for an MSMEs Advisor (f/m, locally contracted, full time) for the project "Recovery, Resilience, Development for Syunik (R2D Syunik)".
Under direct supervision of the Private Sector Development Expert (the PSDE), the incumbent will be responsible for delivery of the results of the Specific Objective 1, including facilitation of provision of the non-financial support services for the MSMEs and start-ups (coaching, training, technical advice, others), and business development services. sector in Syunik. He/she will support the Grant Manager in development, setting up and implementing the grant scheme, including pre-selection and assessment of the beneficiaries (grant applications) and monitoring their performance (implementation and reporting). The MSMEs Advisor will also support necessary data collection in this respect.
The position will be based in Kapan with frequent trips to the Syunik region (beneficiaries) and occasional trips to Yerevan.
RESPONSIBILITIES: 
- Support the PSDE and other team members in design and development of the overall support scheme for the MSME sector in the Syunik region;
- Support design, preparation and provision of the non-financial services (including training, coaching, mentoring, consulting, individual and group technical advice, and other relevant methods and techniques supportive to sustainable development of the sector) for start-ups and MSMEs, including development of curricula, training materials, handouts, presentations, video materials, case studies, and others;
- Manage, monitor and report on the above process by development and introduction relevant means and methods (i.e., attendance sheets, pre- and post-tests, registry of services, training and consulting reports, etc.);
- Support design the grant scheme for the private business sector in the Syunik region in cooperation with relevant team members, ADA staff and short-term experts defining the eligible entities, selection criteria, amount, duration and other relevant parameters in compliance EU and ADA regulations;
- Participate in the grant application and selection process by ensuring the provision of necessary technical assistance for applicants on an equal basis;
- Participate in regular monitoring and controlling of the awarded grants;
- Participate in the review the regular and final narrative and financial reports and submitting them for approval and proposing corrective action to the PSDE;
- Contribute to regular narrative, as well as budget and expenditure reports (ADA and EU);
- Support data collection regarding his/her scope of tasks for research, educational, reporting and other purposes;
- Carry out any other duties as required by the Supervisor.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 
- University degree in business administration, marketing, development studies, economics or other relevant field; post graduate degree (Master level or higher) is an asset;
- At least five years of relevant, documented working experience including starting-up and business development services (training, consulting, coaching, mentoring, technical advice) for MSMEs sector, preferably in an international environment; experience under an EU funded projects is an asset;
- Experience in operating grant schemes, preferably in an international environment;
- Strong knowledge of the Syunik region private business sector;
- Excellent written and oral communication/reporting, presentation skills;
- Experience with donor procedures and rules applicable to funding received from large institutional donors, in particular with EU;
- Understanding of international development cooperation principles and quality standards;
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Armenian;
- Excellent inter-personal/social and communication skills; ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment;
- Adherence to the highest standards of ethics and integrity;
- Demonstrated gender, diversity and environmental competence, ability to integrate the gender perspective into tasks and activities;
- Flexibility to adjust working hours to actual workload, as required;
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;
- Valid driving license category B is desirable.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES: 
All applications are due by COB 29 October 2023 Yerevan time. If you wish to apply for this position, please send the cover letter and CV, as well as other relevant documents to *********@***.**.** with the subject line "R2D Syunik – MSMEs Advisor".
Please clearly mention in your application letter that you learned of this announcement through Career Center and mention the URL of its website - www.careercenter.am. Thanks.
REMUNERATION/ SALARY: 
The minimum salary for this position depends on qualification and experience and is based on a full-time employment.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: 
Women are particularly encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence and no application fees or information with respect to bank account details are required by ADA for our recruitment process. Please note that in the event of invitation for an interview, ADA is unable to reimburse costs incurred. Candidates must expect that references from previous employers will be requested by ADA. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No phone calls or visits please.
ADA retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.
ABOUT: 
The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) has been delegated by the European Union (EU) to implement a strategic project focusing on support to the green and inclusive socio-economic development in Syunik. The project is the part of the Team Europe framework Initiative “Targeted Recovery Initiatives for Southern Armenia – Syunik Region” (
https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/team-europe-initiatives_en).
The project funded by the European Union and co-funded by ADA with a volume of EUR 11 million will be implemented by the end of 2027. To support the ADC Coordination Office for Technical Cooperation in Yerevan (CO) in ensuring a successful implementation of this project, ADA is recruiting an experienced Community Initiatives Facilitator for the project office in Kapan, for a maximum of 49 months, starting in December 2023.
The overall objective of the action is to enhance recovery and resilience of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and sustainable small-scale community infrastructure in Syunik.
The project envisages achievement of the following specific objectives.
Specific Objective 1: A sustainable mechanism for supporting MSMEs in line with ADA and EU guidelines is set up and being implemented in Syunik region.
Specific Objective 2: Sustainable support scheme mechanism for supporting small-scale community infrastructure is set ser up and being implemented in Syunik.
Specific Objective 3: Improved multi-stakeholder coordination for regional development in Syunik is set up and effectively cooperating for regional development.
The project envisages achievement of the following results:
Output 1.1: Improved access of MSMEs to knowledge, technologies, services, markets and finance.
Output 1.2: Enhanced capacities of entrepreneurs and employees (with a particular focus on empowering disadvantaged groups).
Output 2.1: Sustainable, green community infrastructures are rehabilitated and maintained
Output 2.2: Bankable community infrastructure projects are prioritized and prepared in the communities.
Output 3.1: Regular multi-stakeholder coordination for the regional development of Syunik is taking place.