Business Mentor Job at Practical Action Kenya

Responsibilities for the Business Mentor Job

The Mentor deployed by Practical Action on a full time basis will implement a mentoring plan developed jointly with his/her supervisor. Mentorship sessions will be delivered through one on one coaching, group sessions and telephone conversations with selected last mile women entrepreneurs of solar lighting products.

Business Mentorship Course Will Cover But Not Limited To:

• Basic business management skills
• Business records and book keeping skill ensuring that the entrepreneurs keep relevant and updated business records
• Costing and pricing of the solar lighting products
• Business plan development; ensuring that the mentored entrepreneur has a feasible business plan by the end of the mentorship program
• Marketing skills that employ the 4Ps, among others
• Source of business finance and financial linkages
• Perform a one-on-one monthly session with the women entrepreneurs based on identified gap and needs. Develop action plan drafted by the entrepreneur with guidance from the Mentor.
• Follow up on the time bound action points highlighted in the action plan and provide entrepreneurs with technical advice and motivation in areas of difficulty. Ultimately the business mentor will facilitate the development of business acumen and self-confidence of the entrepreneur in management of the business over the period of engagement.
• Avail information and market intelligence to the entrepreneur to aid in formulating decisions for the uptake of quality-verified off-grid lighting products by the entrepreneurs for re-sale. The mentor will also provide linkage of the entrepreneur to suppliers and or distributors of the off-grid lighting solar products and where necessary to last mile retailers.
• Specifically, the mentor will transfer knowledge to the entrepreneur on inventory management (skills in determining optimum stock levels and re-order levels of the off grid lighting products).
• Organize Supplier presentations and demos with the objective of facilitating product knowledge and linkage to certified products. In addition the mentor will liaise with Micro Finance Institutions and other business development service providers will to be invited to the group mentorship sessions.
• Hold and facilitate Two Community of Practice (CoP) type forums in each region the mentor will be assigned over the project implementation period. These will help to identify common challenges among the women entrepreneurs which will be discussed under the project’s CoP protocol and methodology.
• The Project mentor will be required to submit a monthly mentorship progress summary report in a Google form template that will be provided by Practical Action. Additionally a monthly narrative brief report that Captures and records opportunities, challenges and lessons observed during the project implementation.
• At an opportune time, the mentor will hold at least one sensitization session for spouses (men), based on willingness and availability. This is in order to build additional support mechanisms for the women entrepreneurs from a family and social front.
• Capture and record challenges and lessons that may arise during the project implementation.

This position will be for a fixed term contract of seven months. The mentors will be based in the clusters below and they’ll be required to travel across a region to remain in close touch with the entrepreneurs.

Cluster A:Western –Kakamega, Siaya, and Kisumu where LA and PA already have a footprint. Rift Valley – Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Laikipia

Cluster B:Eastern: Makueni, Machakos, Embu . Central Kenya –Kiambu . Coast: Kilifi

Requirements for the Business Mentor Job

• A graduate degree in Business related discipline, Sales and Marketing or any other relevant field.
• The ideal candidates will have over 2 years working experience in business development services for micro enterprises.
• Experience in household energy value chains and Agency Empowerment programs for women entrepreneurs and will be an added advantage.
• The incumbent will have strong communication in English & Swahili, training and coaching skills as well as excellent time management, organizational, networking and liaison skills.
• He/She will also have In-depth knowledge and understanding of the off grid renewable energy sub-sector of Kenya.
• He/She will be proficient in Computer application with knowledge in use of online reporting platforms and report writing.
• In addition, the incumbent will be self-motivated and with ability to work under minimal supervision.