Overview
The National Project Officer (NOB) - Business Development will support the creation of quality employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the agroforestry sector through skills and private sector development. The role involves providing business development support to MSMEs and strengthening support ecosystems for entrepreneurship.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist the Programme Manager and Rural Development TVET Officer to increase quality employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the agroforestry sector.
- Lead and deliver business development support to Micro, Small, and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in the agroforestry sector.
- Provide hands-on support to private sector institutions to strengthen business planning, management, and sustainability.
- Develop support ecosystems to facilitate entrepreneurship.
- Monitor progress of supported enterprises and contribute to reporting on results.
- Deliver direct business advisory services to MSMEs, including business planning, marketing, and financial management.
- Design and deliver practical entrepreneurship training and mentoring programmes.
- Lead the implementation of Women’s Entrepreneurship Development (WED) activities.
- Support business start-ups.
- Provide technical support to agroforestry processors, training centres, and cooperatives.
- Facilitate development of viable business models for enterprises and training centres.
- Strengthen cooperatives and producer groups through improved governance and business practices.
- Ensure integration of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and environmentally sustainable approaches.
- Conduct field visits and provide on-site mentoring.
- Conduct preparation, and delivery of entrepreneurship training.
- Mainstream gender and social inclusion in training design and delivery.
- Mainstream industry responsiveness and environmental sustainability /circular economy in training design, and delivery.
Required Experience
Minimum 3 years of experience in business development, entrepreneurship skills related activities, preferably in a modern commercial environment, especially business planning, marketing, financial management and business start-up and incubation. Experience working with MSMEs and Start-Ups, ideally including cooperatives. Experience in delivering training or mentoring on entrepreneurship activities in commercial environment. Experience on GEDSI approaches, especially in tackling barriers to women in business and supporting women’s business development. Project management experience with disadvantaged communities, especially in rural locations.
Qualifications
University degree (Bachelor of equivalent) in business, economics, finance, marketing, relevant development studies, or a related discipline.
