I. Job Summary
In light of the entrepreneurial milieu in Pakistan, CIP aims to support striver entrepreneurs (businesses with two to ten employees) by improving their access to finance, encouraging them to use digital tools such as mobile wallets, and marketing platforms to grow their businesses and provision of skill enhancement trainings and mentoring. CIP places special emphasis on encouraging women-strivers to ensure that they can also display similar signs of growth, namely increase in sales, jobs and incomes. Thus, the project aims to help them in their business growth process through capacity building and strengthening of their business practices and systems. In order to implement this project, CIP seeks to work through partners to provide financial services to beneficiary entrepreneurs. As part of the program team, the Entrepreneurship Development Specialist will lead the strivers’ capacity building and business strengthening component of the project.
In this regard, the organization is recruiting an Entrepreneurship Development Specialist to manage the project component related to wrap around services with the aim to boost the growth of enterprises, promote business acumen and increase capabilities amongst the target striver entrepreneurs. The role will work in close collaboration with the Partner implementing the wrap-around services component of the project, towards the needs assessment of the businesses to ensure that the strivers are supported with the required knowledge and skills to run effective businesses. Moreover, the role will entail partnership formulation with entities, mentors and networks in the country working in the area of entrepreneurship development. The position entails managing the entrepreneurship development activities for the project in Pakistan along with the Project Manager. The project is being implemented in 7 cities of the country i.e. Karachi, Hyderabad, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi.
II. Job Description:
Job Responsibility #1: Lead the design, planning and execution of entrepreneurship development and support component of the project
% of time: 60%
- Manage the implementation of entrepreneurship development component of the project
- Formulate partnerships with entrepreneurship development service providers, partners and key stakeholders to ensure optimal design and implementation of the work plan
- Identify approaches, strategies and methods that can be utilized/adapted for the capacity building of striver entrepreneurs in the Pakistani context and propose general recommendations and directions for the partners
- Conduct and/or manage a needs assessment to identify the trainings needs of the strivers
- Analyze the demand for services amongst strivers and map the channels for training delivery
- Contribute towards the curriculum development with focus on tailoring the curriculum to specific target groups, ensuring that the needs and barriers of women entrepreneurs are specifically addressed in training delivery and content
- Co-design training tools using innovative and digital approaches with Partner entities
- Build a striver peer community, networks, knowledge sharing platforms to providing an opportunity for strivers to share knowledge and experiences
- Enhance the use by strivers of up-to-date techniques, digital mechanisms and knowledge
- Assist in gaining acceptance for the project’s approach amongst strivers
- Support the Project Manager to effectively inspire, lead and manage strivers involved in the project
- Build synergies with other components of the project
Job Responsibility #2: Implement planned activities through public/private partnership building and collaboration to achieve project results
% of time: 20%
- Identify opportunities to link strivers’ with businesses for uptake of products/ capacity building
- Implement approaches to promote female strivers with partners and key public private stakeholders
- Maintain collegial, productive relationships with other stakeholders while achieving the overall component goals and objectives
Job Responsibility #3: Ensure quality of deliverables in coordination with monitoring and evaluation unit, and promote visibility of project through relevant channels
% of time: 15%
- Effectively design and implement a regular monitoring system of the training
- Regularly use insights and data from the monitoring data to provide feedback to the key partner and iterate on the training according to user needs
- Ensure timely implementation of relevant portions of the work plan in allotted districts
- Ensure that the scheduling, budgeting, technical, and documentary attributes of the component and related data are fully up to date
- Ensure that project documentation is compliant with CARE and donor policies, consistent with achieving the overall component goals and objectives
- Ensure critical analysis of strivers’ adherence to, and progress in implementing, all aspects of project workplan
- Continually identify specific training needs and support required for strivers
- Conduct all business in a manner that respects local culture
Any other task as assigned by the supervisor.
III. Job Specifications
A) EDUCATION/TRAINING
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in economics, finance, business administration, social sciences and/or related field
B) EXPERIENCE:
Required
- At least 5 years of relevant experience in managing or working on entrepreneurship development programmes or MSME development programmes with experience in conducting capacity building and training in the project context
- Experience in providing capacity building, including one-on-one or small group technical assistance, and creating related tools and resources
- Experience in designing customized curriculum and training tools using innovative and digital approaches
- Experience and understanding of the MSME landscape and training needs of entrepreneurs especially women
- Demonstrated track record in delivering MSME development programmes
- Demonstrated experience in establishing partnerships with incubators, entrepreneurship development centres, business centres, networks will be an advantage
Preferred
Experience or familiarity with international donor agencies promoting financial inclusion will be an added advantage.
C) TECHNICAL SKILLS:
- Technical knowledge in entrepreneurship development as demonstrated by successful work experience
- Demonstrated practical experience coordinating entrepreneurship development services, preferably related to striver entrepreneurs
- Proven understanding of digital financial solutions and digital tools.
- Understanding of key gender equality considerations, design, approaches and indicators for women’s economic empowerment and equality
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Urdu; knowledge of any other local language will be preferred
- Excellent computer skills (MS office)
D) COMPETENCIES
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills;
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Ability to self-manage, work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Proactivity and ability to present the big picture
- Capacity to be dynamic, creative and innovative
- Excellent rapport building, interpersonal and team-building skills, and able to manage relationships with stakeholders
- Capacity to plan, organize and deliver results; and
- Commitment to CARE’s vision and mission.
IV. Contacts/Key Relationships
The incumbent is expected to collaborate with program team at the Country Office, Partners, and all CARE Staff.
V. Working Conditions and Level of Travel Required
The position is based in Islamabad, and entails travelling to different parts of Pakistan.
CARE International in Pakistan is an equal opportunity employer; only individuals who are shortlisted will be contacted for an interview. CARE has a zero-tolerance approach toward sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, and child abuse.
Note: Individuals can apply using Brightspyre or send their resumes directly to [email protected] clearly mentioning the position title in the subject line of the email, before the stated deadline.