Job Description

OB DISCRIPTION

Position: Entrepreneurship & Business Development officer

Location: Kismayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

Duration: 12 Months, renewable based on performance

Closing date: June 14, 2024

Organization: Alight

DEPARTMENT/COUNTRY PROGRAM DESCRIPTION/MISSION

Alight is an international nonprofit, nonsectarian organization that has provided humanitarian assistance and training to millions of beneficiaries over the last 30 years. ALIGHT works with refugee communities in 7 countries around the world, helping people regain control of their lives. ALIGHT provides shelter, livelihood support,health ,nutrition, clean water, hygiene promotion services and sanitation, health care, skills training, microcredit education, protection and whatever support we can to let people begin again.

Under SEPOW program, Alight in tends to promote entrepreneurship culture among ultra-poor households in Kismayo through Promoting Entrepreneurship Knowledge, Attitude and Practices. The proposed business development component entails; business skills training, mentorship & asset transfer for investment. The initiative will help in enhancing their entrepreneurial spirit and establishing small and medium enterprises that will foster sustainable improvement in household income.

JOB SUMMARY:

The business development officer will lead Promotion of Entrepreneurship Development and Support services. As an Entrepreneurship Officer, you will be responsible for implementing and managing entrepreneurship programs in kismayo targeted towards women, with the goal of empowering them to start and grow their own businesses. You will work closely with project stakeholders, including women entrepreneurs, community leaders, and partner organizations, to design and implement initiatives that foster entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Program Design and Implementation:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive entrepreneurship program specifically tailored for women, considering their unique challenges and needs.
• Design and deliver training workshops, mentoring sessions, and networking events to support women entrepreneurs in developing their business skills, knowledge, and networks.
• Collaborate with Alight external partners and stakeholders to leverage resources and expertise to enhance program effectiveness.
• Monitor and evaluate program impact and make data-driven adjustments to improve outcomes.
• Conduct Mapping of community power structures & clan dynamics; Understanding the socio-political & economic analysis and power dynamics in the project environment including assessing the clan structure, power dynamics and its influence on the target group of multi-dimensional poor women-headed households. This will inform how the Village committee will be constituted to ensure representation.

2. Business Development Support:

Support project to deliver effective Business development support services by undertaking the following responsibilities.

• Under the leadership of program manager, support in developing Terms of reference for training service provider for 6 months Business management skills training course
• Ensure third-party contracted institution/ agent Conduct Business management skills training course for 6 months.
• Support program manager in Identification, Selection and contracting of most suitable training service providers.
• Support Alight in Facilitating Business idea development, Screening and validation process by provide one-on-one guidance and support to women entrepreneurs in developing and refining their business ideas, plans, and strategies.
• Support supervision of 4–6-month skills-oriented business training for 450 women, using or adapting an accredited business training model.
• Facilitate connections between women entrepreneurs and relevant industry professionals, investors, and potential customers.
• Conduct regular monitoring and provide monthly report to Project manager as well as providing regular updates as requested.

3. Community Mobilization and sensitization
4. a)Provide leadership during Community mobilization and sensitization forums which will be conducted throughout the project period.
5. b)Conduct Community & stakeholder sensitization on project activities and plans.
6. c)Support program team in raising all the Procurement requests and participate other necessary procurement processes as may be required.
7. d)Ensure coordination and collaboration with other Stakeholders including Government and humanitarian agencies.
8. Supervision and Monitoring

• Support the program manager in Conducting Project Interim Monitoring & Review Workshop which will be conducted at the end of year 1.
• Carryout regular monthly project monitoring through field visits, observation and carrying out interviews with beneficiaries, community leaders etc.
• Supervise Business coaches and mentors; Supervision of 10 months regular Business Mentoring & Coaching support for the 450 women owned businesses and ensure coaches have developed and working towards a clearly defined target goal for each beneficiary.
• Monitor and report on project activities in line with international best practices in development cooperation, placing a particular focus on a do-no-harm approach and preventing gatekeeping and sextortion.
• Monitoring Business Growth and document success; Regular monitoring of the work of mentors as well as business owners in regards of practicing skills acquired during Business management skills training. A set of Business status monitoring tools will be developed to guide this process.
• Conduct case studies to report success stories; this will Contribute towards generating and documenting overall project lessons learned with the aim of informing NGOs and governmental actors wishing to replicate the graduation approach in Somalia.

5. Networking and Partnerships:

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with ALIGHT partners, government agencies, and community leaders to enhance program visibility and access to resources.
• Actively participate in relevant industry events, conferences, and forums to showcase the ALIGHT program and build partnerships.
• Collaborate with other team members to identify and engage potential partners and donors to secure additional funding for program expansion.

6. Reporting and Documentation:

• Prepare regular reports on program activities, outcomes, and challenges for internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate records of program participants and their progress, ensuring their privacy and confidentiality.
• Document success stories and best practices to showcase the impact of the program and support future fundraising efforts.
• Support the program manager in developing the final project report.

Experiences and Qualifications

Academic Qualification:

• MUST have Undergraduate degree from Recognized university in relevant skills on Bachelor of Business management/ Business Administration/ Business studies/ Bachelor of Business Management science/ or Economics.
• MUST have at least 3 years field work experience in implementing humanitarian intervention with specific work experience in promoting entrepreneurship development support services.
• MUST be able to fluent in speak and write English and Somali language.
• Must be able to work under extreme pressure.
• The person will 100% work with ultra-poor women and therefore, Female candidates are highly encouraged and will be given special preference.   
• Past experience in implementing graduation model will be an added advantage.

KEY BEHAVIORS & ABILITIES

• The person MUST have good understanding on how to build business skills that focuses in creating mindset change in consideration to the four personal factors that influence the success of all entrepreneurs (1) Motivation and Commitment; (2) Abilities and Skills; (3) Ideas and Markets; (4) Resources. The Durham University Business School called these “Ingredients for Success”.
• Have knowledge on various Business skills training modules; Candidates who possess business skills training of trainers from accredited Business skills training platforms such as ILO’s business training, CEFE trainers;; among others shall be considered as added advantage.
• MUST be able to develop a checklist for monitoring training content & delivery mode as well as conditions of learning environment to ensure that it meets required standards.
• Possess past experience in Conducting Training evaluation and feedback. This will be done by gathering community training evaluation feedback forms tailored to local context, ensuring that the training is effective and fits the needs of the beneficiaries
• To enhance effective delivery of the program, candidate MUST be able to coordinate with key stakeholders who will be involved at different level whether service deliver, or collaboration and or coordination purpose; Local Community & Government authorities in Jubaland at all level.
• Ability to use of community-based targeting approach in which well constituted Village Committees are formed with gender and clan balance considerations. To avoid risk of exclusion of vulnerable groups, the project will use available information and third-party reports

Skills Required

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