Consulate General of Italy
Jerusalem
Development Cooperation Unit
Terms of Reference
Palestinian SME Development Programme – Project Officer
Duty Station: Jerusalem
Office: Development Cooperation Office of the Italian General Consulate in Jerusalem
Programme: Palestinian SME Development Programme
Job Title: Project Officer – Local hiring
Duration: 1 year, with a 3 month initial appointment
Closing Date for applications:
Background:
Along the years, the Italian Development Cooperation has been actively involved in the process of
strengthening and consolidating Palestinian institutions and economy in order to adequately respond
to the Palestinian People’s quest for sovereignty and independence. Specifically, the Italian
Development Cooperation recognizes the primary relevance that a sustainable economic growth has
for the completion of the Palestinian institution-building process and for the promotion of social
welfare and stability.
To this aim the Palestinian SME Development Programme (hereby referred to as “the Programme”),
funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to tackle one of the major constraints faced
by local SME-s: the possibility to access affordable funds in order to finance their investments,
providing local companies with soft loans (through a Eur 25 million credit line) to purchase
technology and know-how.
Within this framework, the Italian Development Cooperation Unit of the General Consulate of Italy
in Jerusalem will appoint a professional to support the Head of the Economic Development Unit
(HEDU) in the Programme management.
Purpose of the assignment:
The Project Officer shall assist Under the HEDU in performing the Programme activities in view to
achieve expected results. He will also be requested to provide active support to all other initiatives
financed and/or managed by the Italian Development Cooperation Office to support economic
development in Palestine.
Tasks:
Under the overall supervision of the Director of the Italian Development Cooperation Office, the
Project Officer shall assist and report to the HEDU. Namely he/she shall:

Actively participate in designing and planning promotional activities to disseminate information
on the Programme among possible beneficiaries and stakeholders;

Develop and maintain effective working relations with Programme parties and stakeholders,
such as chambers of commerce, business associations, international donor agencies and offices
in view to achieve the Programme’s objectives;
 Assist the HEDU in revising of the Credit Line scheme, in cooperation with the Palestinian
Ministry of Finance (MoF) and according to guidelines provided by the Credit Line Steering
Committee (CLSC);
 Contribute to the identification and design of new initiatives and related instruments, financed
by the Italian Development Cooperation and supporting economic development in Palestine
 Draft reports and notes of meetings and activities performed;
 Draft brief studies and researches that may be requested during the Programme’s
implementation;
 Participate in monitoring activities to verify the Programme performance according to set
indicators.
The Project Officer may be requested to perform additional tasks consistently with the general
mandate and activities of performed by the Italian Development Cooperation Unit.
Essential skills, experience and qualifications:
Education: MA in Economics or other related field or, alternatively, a University degree in
Economics combined with a proven track record of professional experience of at least 5 (five) years
in Economic/Private Sector development programmes.
Experience and competencies:
 At least 3 (three) years of professional work experience as project officer on Economic /Private
Sector Development programmes financed and/or managed by international donors, UN
agencies, International Finance Institutions (IFIs), governmental agencies;
 Proven knowledge of the SME sector in Palestine (structure, main needs and constraints).
 Knowledge of debt financing schemes, provided in the local credit market by banks and other
financing institutions;
 Knowledge of programmes and initiatives financed by international donors and aimed to support
SME access to finance in Palestine;
 Knowledge of policies and strategies of the PNA to foster and enhance private sector
development in Palestine;
 Proven high proficiency on Project Cycle Management methodology, specifically referred to
project identification, design and monitoring;
 Ability to draft economic reports, notes, brief studies and researches;
 Good analytical and communication skills;
 Ability to work in an international, multicultural environment.
Languages:
Fluency in Arabic and English.
Sound Knowledge of Italian would be a distinctive advantage.
Interested applicants are encouraged to apply by June 25, 2013, by submitting a personal resume
and cover letter (both in English language) to the following email address: [email protected],
reporting “SME Development Programme – Project Officer post” in subject.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.