Associate Programmes

Main Purpose of Job:

The Associate Programmes supports the investment pipeline development process by enhancing outreach and identification of SMEs, conducting due diligence assessment, and delivery of capacity-building organisational support.   The Associate collaborates across the organization’s sectors to identify and implement initiatives wherever possible.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Strategy formulation and planning;
• Business enabling;
• Stakeholder management;
• Administration and internal coordination and;
• Knowledge Management Communication and Reporting

Key Responsibilities 

Strategy and Delivery 

• Support development of initiative strategies budgets and work plans with technical proficiency, to support Zambian MSMEs’ growth and eventually access investment

Business Enabling 

•  Support implementation of the organisations interventions under each initiative in terms of project development and completion, development outcome results and budget performance monitoring;
• Support identification of high potential SMEs to benefit from to benefit from growth capital opportunities through critically reviewing and assessing proposals, budgets, and partner capacity;
• Collaborate with other initiatives and CGC in the development of a strong pipeline of commercially viable and impactful businesses for investment facilitation;
• Assist with conducting SMEs introductory eligibility and due diligence to classify them on the investment continuum according to business size and financial need;
• Track and identify SMEs in need of organisational support and catalytic grants to enable them close administrative and compliance gaps to strengthen access to growth capital were necessary;
• Provide support with outreach and awareness of SMEs to growth capital opportunities;
• Provide technical assistance for SMEs through trainings, coaching and facilitation initiatives to build organizational capacity and skills;
• Identify and work closely with consultants, as necessary, to support the implementation of interventions; and
• Ensure that all interventions provide value for money and reach the maximum possible number of MSMEs.

Stake holder Engagement 

•  Support the development, engagement, relationship building and management of partners that are critical to delivering the initiative strategy;
•  Continually stay abreast of project implementation and progress, helping to creatively troubleshoot issues before they arise to ensure partner momentum;
• Support partners with development of concept notes, project proposals, budgets, work plans and implementation
• Identify gaps in partner capacity to provide extra support and develop appropriate solutions;
• Support design and implementation of performance monitoring systems and tools to ensure partners can stay on track. Proficiently advocate the
• Organisations and relevant initiatives in meetings, events, or workshops; and
• Maintain and build the organisations credibility and reputation within relevant sectors.

Administration  and  Internal Coordination 

• Implement chosen interventions and activities (Terms of Reference development, development of grant concepts/proposals, organisation of workshops/trainings, due diligence support, etc.); and
• Collaborate with Sector Assistant to develop, review and track milestone claims

Knowledge Management, Learning and Sharing 

•  Support the gathering of information and communication assets (stories, photographs, etc.) from the earliest stages of interventions;
• Support the file archive management for the Initiative to ensure all documents are accessible to the team;
• Maintain open communication with the initiative team and create a positive atmosphere among the team and;

• In conjunction with the Monitoring and Evaluation team, ensure all regular reporting for sector initiatives by any intervention partners is completed and submitted accurately and on time.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

Competence at Associate level is required to understand and apply advanced policies, practices, procedures, concepts, and principles.

General Education:

Full Grade Twelve (12) Certificate

Professional/Academic Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Development Studies or equivalent from a recognized institution with equivalent sector work experience.

Professional and valid membership to relevant professional body

Relevant Job Experience:
Minimum of three years of experience on MSME growth, private sector, or donor-funded projects, dealing with grants and/or contracts and managing financial and technical reporting requirements, as well as knowledge an understanding of private sector development.

Experience in working with donor programming, rules and regulations such as FCDO, USAID preferred

Skills

• Team cohesion;
• Interpersonal skills
• Conceptual skills; and
• Highest standards of integrity.
• Organisation and coordination skills;
• Administrative skills;
• Networking and;
• Influencing/persuasion/judgement skills;
• Knowledge and understanding of the Zambian SME development sector;
• Business Development/Enabling skills;
• Data analysis and interpretation skills;
• Partnership engagement and management;
• Ability to independently strategize and develop detailed strategies/work plans/budgets to achieve objectives;
• Commercial-based thinking focused on adding value;
• Project management skill and;
• Knowledge of the full MS Office suite

Applications must be addressed to

The Managing Partner/CEO
Laura & Partners Consulting Limited CV 16
D.G Wallace Road,
COMESA Exhibition Village, Show grounds,
Lusaka

Applications must be emailed with the subject “Associate Programmes” to [email protected] on or before 23 June 2024. Only electronic applications will be accepted.