Entrepreneurship Specialist

Job Description

Background

Montrose has been contracted to support and grow base-level entrepreneurship on the mainland region of Equatorial Guinea, through value chain upgrading and direct support to new and existing base-level entrepreneurs. The objective of the project is to support the establishment and growth of base-level enterprises in mainland EG and contribute to a positive culture of entrepreneurship, and through these objectives to support long-term diversification and strengthening of the EG economy.

The major body of the work will comprise of several work streams. These consist of Value Chain Development in targeted base-level entrepreneurship subsectors (initially pineapples and aquaculture), provision of training and technical assistance for the cocoa sector, and business development support for new and existing base-level entrepreneurs.

Overview of Montrose’s Scope of Work for the Client

Project objectives

The objective of the project is to support the establishment and growth of base-level enterprises in mainland EG and contribute to a positive culture of entrepreneurship, and through these objectives to support long-term diversification and strengthening of the EG economy.

1. Support the establishment and growth of base-level enterprises in the mainland region of EG
2. Contribute to a positive culture of entrepreneurship in EG
3. Through objectives 1 and 2, contribute to long-term diversification and strengthening of the EG economy

The primary focus will be on base-level enterprises owned by EG nationals from low and middle income groups within the country.

Strategy

There are a number of constraints and challenges facing entrepreneurs in Equatorial Guinea. These include the difficulty and high cost of registering and running businesses; high costs of labour and inputs relative to other countries; skills, motivation and wider human capital challenges; very limited access to finance; and a high degree of competition from foreign-owned companies and imported products in many sectors.

Recognising these constraints and the small number of locally-owned MSMEs in Equatorial Guinea, there is a strong rationale for focusing the social investment programme on developing base-level entrepreneurs. The project will focus on developing value chains that are believed to have the best chance of success, identify and provide non-financial support to motivated entrepreneurs (existing and new), help base-level entrepreneurs to organise and overcome local constraints through community development activities, and raise the profile of entrepreneurship in Equatorial Guinea.

The following work-streams will be delivered in the first phase:

1. Value Chain Development in targeted sub-sectors including pineapples, with other potential sub-sectors to be assessed during 2017
2. Training and technical assistance to the cocoa sector
3. Business development and start-up support to new and existing base-level entrepreneurs

Geographic Coverage

In the first phase the key focus areas will be on value chain development in various sub-sectors including pineapples, as well as training and technical assistance to cocoa, and business development support to base-level entrepreneurs.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The Entrepreneurship Specialist will lead the entrepreneur support component of the project, taking an active role in design and implementation of training programmes, business development support, and provision of ‘start-up packages’ to selected base-level entrepreneurs. The Entrepreneurship Specialist will support the strategy design for these components and will be responsible for ensuring the effective planning, implementation, review and monitoring of the interventions. The Entrepreneurship Specialist will also support the Programme Director on programme management and with value chain development. All work streams will be conducted in close collaboration with the Programme Director who has overall responsibility for the implementation of the programme. See sections on Specific Roles and Responsibilities of the Consultant below.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities of the Consultant

Entrepreneurship Development

• Lead the design and planning of entrepreneurship and MSME development and support components of the project
• Manage the implementation of entrepreneurship and MSME development components of the project
• Lead the design of the overall training programme for both aspiring and existing entrepreneurs
• Lead communication, access and market channel agreements for commercialization campaigns for the different Elements
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with relevant local public and private stakeholders (e.g. vocational training institutions) related to entrepreneurship components of the project
• Design, plan and upgrade entrepreneurship and enterprise development materials, training activities and plans, training programmes, materials and tools, pre- and post-tests as required
• Deliver training programmes with support of other team members
• Continually identify specific training needs and support required for components of the project as appropriate
• Identify needs for start-up packages and non-financial business development services for entrepreneurs and lead the design and implementation of these components
• Identify gaps and lead the design and delivery of business development services for entrepreneurs
• Undertake annual market assessments of training needs and market demands for entrepreneurship training, including the supply and demand for skills (soft, vocational, technical etc.)
• Draft reports on completion of project activities and inputs into narrative project reports
• Draft, monitor and manage activity budgets for entrepreneurship and training components of the project with support/oversight from Programme Director
• Support the design and implementation of the monitoring framework and plan as it relates to entrepreneurship components of the project
• The Entrepreneurship Development Specialist will mentor and develop the capacity of the national counterparts of the project team.

Programme Management

• Support to operational and management oversight of the programme
• Technical oversight of all project element activities as directed by the Programme Director
• Representation and liaison with key project stakeholders
• Management and review of the project work plan and budget
• Compliance to HSSE and Ethical Conduct policies and procedures
• Management of project and office administration and logistics
• Coordination of programmatic and financial reporting
• Deputise for the Programme Director in his absence
• Coordinate the implementation of monitoring and evaluation data collection for programme elements as required
• Provide oversight and review of data collection

Value Chains

• Support the design and planning for the strengthening and updating of value chains for the agriculture Elements
• Lead coordination of annual market assessments of training needs and market demands for entrepreneurship training, including the supply and demand for skills
• Lead communication, access and market channel agreements for commercialization campaigns for the different Elements

Essential Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum two years’ experience in managing entrepreneurship programmes, business incubation and acceleration
• Experience managing projects with strong training component
• Experience in entrepreneurship / SME development / livelihoods programmes
• Proven ability to work effectively in a diverse team (essential)
• Experience in marketing for development countries, or in Equatorial Guinea specifically is advantageous
• Fluency in Spanish is essential (non-Spanish speaking candidates will not be considered)
• Experience working in Africa is an asset
• Experience in capacity development and/or coaching
• Experience in Agro-Business preferred
• Experience working in one or more of the following areas an asset: business skills training, business incubation hubs, business development services
• High degree of initiative, flexibility and creativity

How to Apply

If you meet the above qualifications and are interested in this opportunity, please submit a detailed CV together with a covering letter explaining how you are suited for the position at hruk@montroseint.com by 21 June 2018.

About the Organization

MONTROSE is an international development project management and consultancy company providing support to clients operating in the developing world. Specialised in the sectors of health, education, rural livelihoods and private sector development, our clients include bilateral and multilateral development agencies, the private sector, Non-Governmental Organisations and other development stakeholders.