Business Advisor 1- SAY WEE Project

About TechnoServe:

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of  TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off. 

Job Summary:

The Business Advisor will work with the Senior Enterprise Development Specialist to provide capacity building and aftercare coaching support to the project participants. S/he will facilitate business linkages, gather market intelligence and monitor performance. It should be understood that the tasks outlined below are the key responsibilities, but the employee will be expected to perform any tasks that are necessary within the context of the evolving needs of the project.

Program/Practice/Department Overview:

The project seeks to address unemployment in Nigeria through four pathways namely: self-employment, micro and small growing business acceleration, job readiness and ecosystem development.  With a strong learning agenda, the project will pilot methodologies that drive behaviour change and successfully link women and youth to relevant and lasting jobs. To achieve its objectives, the project will leverage existing infrastructure, institutions, and organizations where possible. It will also apply lessons learned from other initiatives in the entrepreneurial ecosystem support space by adopting multiple proven approaches. The design will follow a common set of principles, such as being market-driven to help entrepreneurs tap into high-growth sectors, build youth skills, and facilitate linkages to drive job placement for targeted youth.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Area mapping, mobilization and recruitment of program beneficiaries at inception and in between cohorts using set criteria.

Support the Senior Business Advisor and Project lead in developing the project work plan.

• Implement the digital strategy of the project and ensure adoption by the beneficiaries
• Engage the beneficiaries consistently on the selected social media platform
• Support beneficiaries' training sessions on the selected and agreed platforms as well as monitor attendance according to the program guidelines.
• Provide linkages support to the micro retailers including connection to financial institutions, suppliers and other ecosystem players according to the program guidelines.
• Conduct training of trainers (ToT) of instructors and monitor training delivery of the trained instructors
• Work with identified partners and participants during the aftercare phase.
• Identify with stakeholders and perform a thorough assessment (initial and subsequent) of existing and envisaged problematic situations and offer solutions.
• Support in all types of monitoring and evaluation activities, surveys and in reporting, weekly, monthly and in developing program success stories and lessons learnt.
• Follow and maintain the program work plan
• Work closely with the Senior Enterprise Development specialist to ensure program deliverables are met through critical review of project activities in the field and eliminate any risks that may hinder effective implementation of the Project
• Understand, respect and promote TechnoServe’s values, vision, and strategy in the implementation of assigned duties
• Perform other duties in line with the evolving needs of the program.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Business Management, Marketing, Business Enterprise, or relevant Social Sciences/ Humanities related discipline with a minimum of 2 years’ experience working with rural communities and supporting micro, small growing businesses in Nigeria.
• Alternatively, 4 years’ experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of the micro, small and growing business environment in Nigeria.
• Ability to engage and advise a broad range of stakeholders, including senior management of private sector companies, community leaders, and others;
• Demonstrated experience in data collection and analyses.
• Demonstrated experience with digital training and delivery mechanisms.
• Demonstrated experience in report writing.

Required Languages: Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English with Proficiency in hausa or Yoruba

Travel: Long distance travel is not anticipated.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experienced in writing excellent reports.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills.
• Proven skills with Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Knowledge in the use of Comcare, KoBoCollect will be an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.