Business Coach/MSMEs Advisor at Spark Rwanda (Deadline:3rd February 2022)

Business Coach/MSMEs Advisor –  Gwiza Project Rwanda

General description

SPARK is looking for Business Coaches or MSMEs Advisors for the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Support Project named the Gwiza Project, focused on the Western Province of Rwanda.

The project aims at supporting MSME’s to grow and thrive through capacity building and access to finance and markets. The focus of the project will be MSME’s in key sectors of the Western Province, especially Cross Border Trade (CBT).  Working with key actors in the Province the project aims at unlocking systemic constraints that hinder the growth of MSME’s and the participation of youth and women in business. Capacity building will be provided to the business and key actors including financial institutions. A key constraint cited by many for MSME’s is access to finance, thus the project has a clear focus on supporting increased financing for businesses.

The Business Coaches/MSMEs Advisor will serve SPARK mission to assist existing businesses to grow and expand, acknowledging the direct link between business growth and job creation, with focus on businesses in sectors with large growth potential and in areas where youth and women unemployment is high. The Business Coaches/MSMEs Advisors will carry out field based operations in the probable locations of Rusizi, Nyamasheke and Karongi Districts in the Western Province of Rwanda.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

The responsibilities and tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Be the main point of contact and represent SPARK at district level in lobbying and advocacy activities related to the programme;
• Liaise with local government and business stakeholders to ensure the impact of the project and synergy with other relevant initiatives in district;
• Coordinate project activities in their districts
• Support market research, SME survey and baseline study, needs assessment, monitoring and evaluation
• Deliver business proximity coaching services and other BDS precisely in accordance with MSMEs needs assessments results;
• Liaise with MSMEs and any programme or organisation geared towards business development and provision of technical assistance.
• Stimulate fair business linkages of selected MSMEs to the potential business partners;
• Ensure proximity transfer of innovative business ideas and best practices related to the access to finance and access to market;
• Assist the Project Management Team  in continuous  adjustments /updates  of coaching tools  and operational plans;
• Assist the Project Management Team in the development of business performance objectives for MSMEs and keep tracking their progress;

Requirements and Skills

1. University degree in business administration, business management, accounting, finance, and other related fields of study;
2. Minimum of 5 years working experience in fields relating directly to business coaching, business consulting, and financial analysis;
3. Previous experience in capacity development and developing and conducting proximity coaching for MSMEs is an advantage;
4. In-depth technical knowledge of the Cross Border Market, gaps and roles of different industries as well as the MSMEs ecosystem;
5. Good understanding of general business procedures, including sales and marketing, operations, inbound logistics, IT, human resources, and business financing;
6. Live and work in the selected districts in the Western Province (Rusizi, Nyamasheke, or Karongi district most probably);
7. Entrepreneurial, responsible, proactive, and being able to work with high workload/pressure;
8. Full professional proficiency in English and Kinyarwanda required, also knowledge of French and Swahili is an advantage.

 How to apply?

Interested individuals should submit their applications not later than Thursday the 3^rd of February 2022 at 5:00 pm on e-mail addressed to rwanda@spark-online.org with a clear Subject Line: Business Coach/MSMEs Advisor – Gwiza Project Rwanda.

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.