UNDP Local Economic Development and Livelihood Specialist || Apply Now |

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Local Development Portfolio Manager / CTA LHSP, the Local Economic Development and Livelihood Specialist will undertake assigned functions.

Duties and Responsibilities of Livelihood Specialist

a) Lead the Design and Implementation of Area-Based Economic Development Strategies

• Lead the design and implementation of context-specific, area-based economic development strategies in focus zones, informed by local needs, vulnerabilities, and resources.
• Identify and prioritize economic recovery and resilience needs, with a focus on sustainable livelihoods for displaced populations and host communities.
• Ensure integration of local economic development with wider strategic planning processes.
• Plan, organize, facilitate and follow-up workshops and trainings related to area-based economic development, local development and planning.

b) Facilitate Livelihoods Support for Vulnerable Populations

• Design and oversee initiatives to support vulnerable groups, including displaced populations, women, youth, and MSMEs, with access to sustainable livelihood opportunities.
• Coordinate with partners to implement tailored programs that address the immediate recovery needs and long-term economic integration, focusing on enhancing household income stability and food security.
• Develop mechanisms for the empowerment of women and youth through entrepreneurship, skills training, and access to finance.

c) Promote Local Economic Value Chains and Sustainable Enterprises

• Conduct assessments to identify viable local economic value chains, particularly in agriculture, MSMEs, and other critical sectors for economic recovery and development.
• Advise and support the development of sustainable, market-driven value chains that leverage local resources, skills, and infrastructure, with a focus on inclusive growth.
• Facilitate the establishment of local economic cooperatives, community-based businesses, and sustainable enterprises, providing technical assistance and capacity-building to increase their resilience.

d) Enhance Capacity of Local Stakeholders in Economic Governance and Development

• Develop and implement capacity-building programs for local authorities, municipalities, and unions on local economic development, sustainable fiscal management, and economic planning.
• Provide technical assistance to local governments/municipalities in integrating local economic development strategies with broader municipal and regional governance frameworks.
• Lead the design of training and knowledge-sharing platforms to support local actors in developing and executing effective economic policies.
• Engage stakeholders in discussions on addressing systemic vulnerabilities and building integrated, climate-resilient, and inclusive local economies.
• Ensure alignment between local economic strategies and broader national development plans, ensuring that projects are conflict-sensitive and designed with a “leave no one behind” approach.

e) Monitor and Evaluate Livelihood and Economic Development Initiatives

• Lead the development of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks to track the progress and impact of livelihood and local economic development projects.
• Ensure that M&E systems capture both quantitative and qualitative data on economic impact, social inclusion, and resilience building, and use this data to inform programme adjustments/changes.
• Provide regular reports on the status and impact of livelihood and economic development interventions, identifying challenges and recommending improvements.

f) Explore and advocate for Sustainable Financing Models for Local Development

• Explore and recommend innovative financing mechanisms for local economic development, including public-private partnerships, climate financing, and community-driven investment models.
• Support municipalities and local stakeholders in developing financial plans and mechanisms to sustain local economic development efforts beyond the project lifecycle.

g) Contribute to Knowledge Management and Policy Advocacy

• Draft and/or provide inputs to proposals, project documents, briefing notes and other documents, as required
• Support the development of policy briefs, reports, and other knowledge products related to local economic development, livelihood recovery, and resilience-building in Lebanon.
• Contribute to UNDP’s advocacy efforts by sharing best practices, lessons learned, and success stories from local development and economic recovery initiatives.
• Engage with national and international stakeholders to promote the adoption of policies that support sustainable and inclusive local economic development in Lebanon.

Check : UNDP Business Development Support Internship || Apply Now |

Required  skills

• Experience in designing, managing cluster economic projects.
• Experience in coaching, mentoring of staff and partners with international and/or local humanitarian and development agencies.
• Experience in cash base programming, labor intensive and women economic empowerment.
• Experience in advocating for Sustainable Financing Models for Local Development

Required Language(s) 

• Proficiency in English and Arabic is required.

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