Assistant Project Officer-SME Development at I Choose Life - Africa

Job purpose: To oversee economic empowerment of households to increase their income, through training, value chain development, value addition, access to credit, business startup and linkage and access to market. This should serve to increase the life chances of marginalized girls in Meru, Mombasa and Laikipia counties by increasing performance, learning, transition through an integrated approach. In addition, support counties in the actualization of their county strategic plans aligned to Vision 2030.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning and design
a. Design Economic empowerment interventions responsive to context
b. Design or review training manuals to aid in delivery of the intervention
c. Develop project Economic Empowerment work plans
d. Develop and maintain relevant database and serve as a hub of data required by stakeholders
e. Incorporate workable empowerment model in new projects.

Value chain development
a) Assess the current prevailing conditions among SMEs in regards to agribusiness development
a) Develop upstream and downstream linkages for SMEs
b) Support coaching, mentorship and business incubation of SMEs.
c) Design SME business models, SACCO structures, business development plans, training manuals, model enterprises, enterprise development protocols, communication and sponsorship protocols.
d) Oversee Implementation of the economic empowerment designed plans for the County
e) Monitor, evaluate and improve the economic empowerment interventions
f) Develop replication plans to a wider geographical scope
g) Support development of business start-ups to caregivers.
h) Promote roll-out of products to the target communities and ensure set targets are met.

Project implementation and training
a. Conduct business needs assessment whenever necessary
b. Carry out entrepreneurship trainings of the different target groups; parents, guardians, SMEs
c. Train the parents and guardians of marginalized girls in the implementation of group savings, loans and business development skills
d. Develop, review and evaluate business plans to ensure viability and sustainability of businesses
e. Participate in the development and update of training materials.
f. Coordinate identification & transfer of appropriate technologies and innovations to target groups.
g. Forge partnerships within the project sites for the attainment of project goals.
h. Collaborate with partners in corporate mobilization and service delivery.
i. Engage business mentors and coaches to mentors and support individuals and groups to excel in their established businesses or IGAs
j. Assist development of marketing plans and strategies that promote market opportunities of product outputs and services to ensure steady generation of profits from the business enterprises;
k. Promote and disseminate relevant market information to the identified enterprises; and
l. Perform any other duty as may be directed by the project supervisor.

Project Monitoring& Evaluation
a. Compile reports (narrative and data) and submit them to the Project Officer (M&E) as per the set deadlines
b. Participate in the design, data collection and analysis of surveys and routine data
c. Ensure proper documentation and dissemination of lessons learnt.
d. Evaluation of all project interventions conducted.
e. Monitoring and reviewing the progress of trainees.

Education
a. A Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences preferably in Entrepreneurship, Economics, Marketing, Commerce, Agri-economics, Education or agribusiness
b. Diploma in Project Management will be an added advantage.

Knowledge and skills
a. Strong analytical and operational knowledge of Small and Medium business, start-ups and SME business expansions needs;
b. Be an excellent facilitator and can create partnerships within the project area.
c. Understanding of SME business procedures including: business legal and regulatory systems, financing, human resources, IT needs, operations and sales, and marketing, financing options
d. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, a keen eye for details, good presentation and interpersonal skills and excellent report writing skills.
e. People management skills as well as mentorship experience and capability.

Experience and Abilities
a. A minimum of three years training experience
b. Ability to work with a team, foster a team approach and incorporate capacity building activities into the program
c. Ability to analyze and utilize program development gaps for designing Programs.