Jobs at Finpact Development Foundation - FINDEF

Reports to: Program Manager 

Role Summary

• The Entrepreneurship Ecosystem and MSME Development Expert will focus on creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and supporting the growth and sustainability of MSMEs within the project’s target communities.
• This individual will work closely with stakeholders to identify barriers to entrepreneurship, develop solutions, and facilitate access to business support services and financing opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct assessment of the entrepreneurship ecosystem within project areas, including regulatory frameworks, market dynamics, and support services available to MSMEs.
• Identify barriers to entrepreneurship and MSME development, such as access to finance, market linkages, business development services, and skills training.
• Develop strategies and interventions to address identified barriers and create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and MSME growth.
• Provide technical assistance and capacity building support to MSMEs, including business planning, financial management, marketing, and access to finance.
• Facilitate linkages between MSMEs, financial institutions, market actors, and support organizations to foster collaboration and innovation.
• Promote the adoption of technology and innovation among MSMEs to improve productivity and competitiveness.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of entrepreneurship development interventions, identifying lessons learned and best practices.
• Facilitate access to business support services, including training, mentoring, technical assistance, and networking opportunities, for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.
• Strengthen partnerships with financial institutions, government agencies, business associations, and other stakeholders to promote MSME-friendly policies and initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration, Economics, Entrepreneurship, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years experience in entrepreneurship development and MSME support.
• Knowledge of entrepreneurship ecosystem dynamics, including regulatory frameworks, market structures, and support services available to MSMEs.
• Proven ability to design and implement innovative solutions to promote entrepreneurship and MSME growth, including access to finance, market linkages, and business development services.
• Strong networking and partnership-building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders to achieve common goals.
• Knowledge of finance, marketing, and value chain development.
• Familiarity with technology and innovation trends in agriculture.

Important Information and Notice

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and only qualified candidates will be contacted.
• FINDEF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disabilities.
• Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.
• FINDEF does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. FINDEF’ s recruitment process is transparent, and merit based. Lobbying of any form is not allowed and can lead to disqualification.
• FINDEF has zero tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of beneficiaries. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is everyone’s responsibility, and all staff are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct, that enshrines principles of PSEA, at all times (both during work hours and outside work hours).
• Familiarization with, and adherence to FINDEF’ s Code of Conduct is an essential requirement for all staff, in addition to related mandatory training.
• Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
• This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various project locations

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About the Project

We are seeking a skilled and experienced Agribusiness Development Specialist to support the \"Strengthening Food Systems to Promote Increased Value Chain Employment Opportunities for the Youth in Nigeria\" project. The project aims to create sustainable job opportunities and income generation for young women and men in the agribusiness sector, focusing on sorghum, millet, groundnut, soybean, and horticulture value chains. It is providing capacity building and training in business development, financial literacy, and technical skills, empowering participants to become successful entrepreneurs and leaders in their communities. 

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct value chain assessments for sorghum, millet, groundnut, soybean, and horticulture.
• Identify key constraints and opportunities within the value chains to enhance productivity and market access.
• Develop and maintain relationships with market actors, including buyers, processors, input suppliers, and financial institutions.
• Facilitate the establishment of partnerships and contractual agreements between smallholder farmers and off-takers.
• Provide technical assistance and training to project participants on best practices in agribusiness, including production, processing, and marketing.
• Develop training materials and modules tailored to the specific needs of different value chain actors.
• Support the development and strengthening of agribusiness enterprises, including cooperatives and youth-led enterprises.
• Advise on business planning, financial management, and entrepreneurship, helping enterprises to scale and access finance.
• Promote the adoption of innovative technologies and practices that enhance value chain efficiency and sustainability.
• Introduce appropriate technologies for post-harvest handling and value addition.
• Provide ongoing advisory support to project participants on agribusiness development issues.
• Offer expert insights on emerging trends and challenges in the agricultural sector, particularly related to youth employment and entrepreneurship.
• Design and implement strategies to ensure the sustainability of agribusiness initiatives and long-term impact on participants.
• Promote environmentally sustainable practices and climate-smart agriculture within the value chains.
• Document best practices, lessons learned, and success stories for dissemination and scaling-up.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor\'s degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, or a related field. A Master\'s degree is preferred.
• At least 5 years of experience in agribusiness development, with a focus on value chain enhancement.
• Strong knowledge of the agricultural sector in Nigeria, particularly in the targeted value chains.
• Experience in market analysis, business planning, and financial management for agribusinesses.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and diverse environment.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in local languages is an advantage

Disclaimer

This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, efforts, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. Our organization procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We are an equal opportunity employer. We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities.

Note

• FINDEF does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. FINDEF’ s recruitment process is transparent, and merit based. Lobbying of any form is not allowed and can lead to disqualification.
• FINDEF has zero tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of beneficiaries. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is everyone’s responsibility, and all staff are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct, that enshrines principles of PSEA, at all times (both during work hours and outside work hours).
• Familiarization with, and adherence to FINDEF’s Code of Conduct is an essential requirement for all staff, in addition to related mandatory training.
• Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.