Ghassan Aridi

I am currently working as Project Manager at Ibdaa Microfinance in Beirut. In this position I am responsible for Managing projects that Ibdaa undertakes in coordination with both national and international Donors. I'm currently heading a project funded by the World Bank aiming at financially supporting MSMEs and other enterprises that have been affected by the Beirut port explosion in addition to the multiple crisis that have hit the country’s economy.

The Project is “B5” which is a part of the 3rf program.

My job entails but is not limited to planning, budgeting, creating policies and procedures, reporting, overseeing the project execution, and problem solving. Our target is to reach 2,000 beneficiaries, thus helping with the sustainability of the businesses and job creation.

throughout my career, in addition to the World Bank, I have worked on projects with USAID and with AFC consultants providing Business Development Services and access to finance especially with the informal sector and underprivileged people, in addition to the ESFD project, both which were funded by the EU.

I would describe myself as someone who is career-oriented, as long as my career can satisfy me in terms of experience and in helping the community in which I work, both financially and socially, and that's why I chose a career in business development for MSMEs.

Project Manager - 12/2020 till present

Ibdaa Microfinance, Lebanon

• Managing projects funded by international donors:

1. USAID funded project: ”Immediate response to Beirut Blast” which aimed at providing in-kind grants to businesses that were afffected by the port explosion.

The job entailed establishing an implementation plan, managing field and back office staff, assessing businesses’ needs, procuring the required equipment, in addition to submitting biweekly progress reports.

1. World Bank funded project: ”Bring Beirut Businesses Back and Better (B5)” which aims at providing grants up to 25,000$ to businesses affected by the port explosion in order to secure their sustainability.
   • Creating an operations manual.

The job entails the following tasks:

• Preparing the budget.
• Selecting and training employees.
• Setting job description of 33 employees including field staff and middle management.
• Preparing the needed templates.
• Portfolio analysis.
• Negotiating the agreement terms with the WB representatives.
• Preparing policies and procedures including ESMS "Environmental & Social Management Systems”, LMP “Labor Management Policies” and GRM “Grievance Redress Mechanisms” that are always required by international donors.
• Monitoring and evaluating

ReportingRisk Manager - 2/2022 till present

Ibdaa Microfinance, Lebanon

As a risk manager I have many tasks and responsibilities including but not limited to:

• Operational risk assessment
• Credit risk assessment
• Portfolio analysis
• Liquidity risk assessment
• Stress tests
• Following up on any type of risk that might face the company, including changes in the market, exchange rates, pandemics “COVID”, etc.
• Reporting to the risk committee in the BOD on all potential risks and provide recommendations

Credit and Internal Control Manager - 10/2020 to present

Ibdaa Microfinance, Lebanon

• Team Management
• Assessing Operation’s policies and procedures, and proposing amendments to the Operations’ Committee when needed
• Member of the Operations’ Committee responsible for updating and altering credit procedures including but not limited to:

1. Monitoring changes in the market in terms of demand and market risk.
2. Product development, in terms of new products, loan amounts, guarantees, and interest, rates based on credit risk analysis.
3. Preparing operation strategies
4. Staff training

• Credit decisions / Loan Approvals.
• Supervising and controlling the executions of all policies and procedures
• Member of the crisis committee

Branch Manager - 08/2016 to 10/2020

Ibdaa Microfinance, Lebanon

• Hiring and training employees
• Team Management
• Portfolio assessment
• Approving loans
• Providing support for employees in collection and other tasks
• Problem solving
• Participating In planning the company’s strategy

Participating in product development

SME Specialist and Field Auditor - 06/2015 to 07/2016

Ibdaa Microfinance, Lebanon

• Training SME officers
• Visiting SME clients all over the country
• Business assessment
• Recommending rejection or loan granting
• Following up with clients to ensure good customer service and high collection rates
• Performing field audit on company employees through visiting clients all over the country

Team Supervisor - 08/2014 to 06/2015

Ibdaa Microfinance, Lebanon

Business Advisor - 02/2009 to 07/2014

Economic and Social Fund for Development, Lebanon “EU Funded project”

• Finding eligible clients
• Making feasibility studies & preparing complete files
• Delivering the file to the bank and following up with them until the loan is granted
• Providing the needed guidance for the clients to help in the management of their businesses, and introducing them to simple accounting methods

Business Advisor - 05/2008 to 12/2008

AFC consultants, Lebanon “EU Funded project”

• 1st year master’s degree: Business administration  - 2007

Lebanese University

• Bachelor of Science: Marketing and business management - 2006

Lebanese University