Business Associate - Market Linkage at Inkomoko

About the Opportunity

Inkomoko is seeking an exceptional Business Associate to help drive our market linkages services to our more than 40,000 MSME clients.  This role will entail building strategic relationships with buyers in different industry sectors, including INGOs, public institutions, and private organizations. The BA will be responsible for interact with the local business community, look out for market opportunities suitable for our clients, and build lasting relationships with local buyers, engaging with existing and new buyers, and connecting them with our MSME clients. S/HE will also support tender distribution service and help to integrate 50 MSMEs into value chains, with a focus on helping micro and small-scale producers acquire product certification from relevant government institutions. This opportunity is based in  Eldoret & Garissa/ Dadaab.

Responsibilities

Specific tasks include:

• Buyer engagement: 30% -  Identify and cultivate relationships with existing and new buyers to expand sales opportunities for our MSME clients; facilitate connections between buyers and our MSME clients.  Level of effort 
• Tender distribution: Support: 15% - the pilot tender distribution service for small and medium clients. This will include providing training on bid preparation and application. Level of Effort 
• MSME integration into formal value chains: 15% -  support efforts to integrate MSMEs, especially micro and small-scale producers, into formal value chains; this will involve collaborating with relevant government institutions and stakeholders to facilitate the acquisition of product certification for select- MSME clients. Level of effort 
• Market research: 20% Research and meet potential buyers in the local and regional markets, work will involve meeting buyers in various sectors, understanding their supply and procurement needs. This includes; undertaking data collection. Level of effort.
• Collaboration with Programs Manager 20%: Work closely with the Programs Manager to align market linkages activities with the overall Business Growth Services strategy; generate and share insights and recommendations to contribute to the development of meaningful market linkages services for our clients. Level of effort.

Minimum Qualifications

The ideal candidate will fulfill the following requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Economics, or a related field 
• 2+ years experience in sales and marketing working with MSMEs is preferred.
• Past experience on Market linkages, fostering value chain integration will be an added advantage
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong computer skills including word, excel, powerpoint 
• Exceptional business acumen
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships with buyers
• Previous understanding of tender and procurement processes - bid preparation and application process would be a huge plus 
• Strong work and collaboration skills.

What You'll Get

This role is inside a high-growth, mission-driven social enterprise. By joining, you’ll access:

• Competitive salary, and potential Goal-based bonus
• Incredible company culture, including deep investment in your learning and growth
• Diverse colleagues and policies that show our commitment to equity and inclusion 
• Talented, passionate, and committed team colleagues across the region
• Ability to make a significant social impact to your community
• Generous health insurance, staff savings, parental leave, sabbatical, and more benefits.