AFRICAN FOUNDATION FOR DEVELOPMENT (AFFORD) Business Development Support Consultant Job Description & Person Specification

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1 AFRICAN FOUNDATION FOR DEVELOPMENT (AFFORD) Business Development Support Consultant Job Description & Person Specification Job ref: BDS Job title: Business Development Support Consultant Salary: Negotiable Appointment Type: Consultancy (averaging 8 days a month) Tenure: 32 months duration Location: London Responsible to: Enterprise Manager Start Date: November 2016 THE AFRICAN FOUNDATION FOR DEVELOPMENT (AFFORD) AFFORD was established in 1994 by a small group of diaspora volunteers with a mission to expand and enhance the contributions Africans in the diaspora make to African development. Since then it has gained international recognition as a pioneer and innovator in the field of policy and practice of diaspora and development. In the financial year ended 31 March 2016, AFFORD employed 8 full-time staff, 3.5 full-time equivalent consultants, and 6 other independent research and technical consultants. AFFORD also has a pool of Resource Persons (RPs) and volunteers who assist the paid personnel in delivering a growing portfolio of projects, ongoing activities and ad hoc services. In June 2016 AFFORD added an exciting and innovative new programme, Diaspora Finance and Investment (DFI) to the growing list. DFI aims to stimulate and harness diaspora investment to create jobs and enhance the African social economy. It will provide business and capacity-building support to diaspora entrepreneurs; build transnational linkages and networks to facilitate increase in the diversity, volume, availability and impact of diaspora investment; advocate for a decrease in remittance transaction costs; stimulate increase in collective remittances and promote remittance matched funding schemes, as well as improve understanding of diaspora finance and investment practices and promote better policy responses. DFI is transforming AFFORD from a small to a medium-sized diaspora charity. To facilitate this rapid growth, AFFORD is seeking to attract a number of experienced and highly motivated professionals to add to its existing team. JOB SUMMARY An opportunity has arisen for an experienced Business Development Support professional to enhance AFFORD s work building the capacity of diaspora entrepreneurs and enterprises to create jobs in Africa. Job creation through enterprise development is one of the major strands of AFFORD s work. AFFORD seeks a dynamic, innovative, ambitious and result-oriented achiever to deliver, manage and develop one-to-one and one-to-many business planning and enterprise development support. This support will be provided through the AFFORD Business Club

2 (ABC), the strand under which the flagship project will organise an innovative Diaspora Business Planning Competition (DBPC), alongside an integrated package of business support and training to diaspora businesses. The successful candidate will have knowledge and experience of the following: managing (social) enterprises, employment or other business development projects, budgeting, business process improvement, integrated business planning, risk management, diagnostics and problem solving, cost reduction and cost-effectiveness methods. CORE DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES The core responsibilities of the BDS consultant is to embed the strategic theme of Enterprise and Employment by: Supporting the creation of links between enterprise support, skills development, and job creation through a number of ongoing and new initiatives. Supporting the Enterprise Manager in establishing the ABC. Ensuring growth and development of the businesses supported by ABC, leading to these businesses creating significant numbers of new, good-quality, long term jobs in African countries. Ensuring the flow of significant amounts of new Diaspora Direct Investment (DDI) in job-creating sectors of the economy in African countries. Supporting the Enterprise Manager to ensure the successful implementation and achievement of DFI output targets and successful expansion of ABC in the UK and replication in other African countries. 1.0 Key Deliverables The BDS Consultant will be expected to achieve the following key deliverables: Support the Enterprise Manager in establishing the AFFORD Business Club (ABC) - an important element of DFI - to become a long-term sustainable diaspora enterprise hub which will provide administrative and operational support, accredited business and management training, programme of lectures and seminars, promotion of AFFORD Business Franchise (ABF), as well as support for Diaspora Direct Investment (DDI). Support the Enterprise Manager in the successful implementation of the ABC, ensuring that standard and stretched qualitative and quantitative targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are attained on time and on budget. Support the Enterprise Manager in organising the Diaspora Business Planning Competition (DBPC); providing through ABC, business planning advice to contestants; one-to-one relational Business Development Support (BDS) to the successful winners of DBPC, and one-to-many BDS to other members of ABC. Develop and implement other effective and efficient business support services to ensure that entrepreneurs and enterprises supported through the ABC project experience growth in terms of turnover and profitability of their businesses and that supported diaspora businesses generate 200 new decent jobs in Africa. Work with the Monitoring, Accountability, Evaluation and Learning Consultant to implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks and tools, ensuring that ABC project outputs and outcomes are tracked and potential gaps are identified and corrected. Liaise, coordinate and manage relationships with strategic and major operational partners in Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe to ensure successful implementation of the business plans of DBPC winners.

3 Support the mobilisation and preparation of another generation of Resource Persons (RPs) for hands-on Remitskills engagement and involvement in diaspora development work as business advisors, and entrepreneurs, and investors. Liaise, coordinate and manage relationships with strategic and major operational partners such as Diaspora Investment organisations, African trade and investment institutions, UK Trade & Industry, banking and other financial institutions, and others, to ensure successful implementation of DFI and other enterprise Support the Enterprise Manager to improve and expand the ABC, produce feasible and viable business plans for the expansion of in the UK and other African. Undertake all other reasonable tasks relevant to the successful implementation and replication of the ABC and the development of new and innovative Enterprise & Employment projects. PERSON SPECIFICATION Criteria / Evidence Educational Qualifications A=Application I = Interview Bachelors degree in business, enterprise, marketing, management or related field Postgraduate degree or qualification in business, marketing, management, social enterprise or international development Experience Experience of producing feasibility studies and business plans Sound understanding of enterprise and employment development Practical experience of successfully managing start-up initiatives and running small (social) enterprises, with national and international context (especially in Africa) Experience of working with enterprises in Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Nigeria A A

4 Extensive experience of securing small business financing and facilitating access to capital Experience of managing and running a business club Skills, Knowledge and Capabilities Strong business planning and coaching skills, with proven problem-solving approach to the challenges of implementing business plans Ability to prepare and manage budgets Ability to use Microsoft Office packages, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint Excellent understanding and proven professional experience of SMEs in the context of developing economies, diaspora investment/contribution, migration and development issues Excellent communication skills both oral and written, with strong ability to work with various stakeholders Proven report writing skills (in English), with excellent research and analytical skills Proven ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multistakeholder teams Ability to work to tight deadlines, multi-task and prioritise tasks and activities Ability to remain calm under pressure Ability to work independently and in teams Values Commitment to the principles, ethos and work of the AFFORD organisation. Commitment to equal opportunities and working in a diverse environment. I I

5 Strict commitment and understanding of the principles and needs of confidentiality. I Demonstrable loyalty, honesty and integrity. I Status Applicant must have the legal right to work in the U.K. How to apply? Interested candidates MUST submit: 1. CV (max 2 pages) 2. Cover letter explaining why you are suitable and how you meet the competencies needed for the position (max 2 pages) 3. A sample of a business plan you put together (max 10 pages) 4. Diversity Monitoring Form AFFORD is an equal opportunity employer. Deadline for Applications: 5pm (BST) UK time on Thursday, 6 th October 2016 Interview Dates: Week beginning Monday, 24th October 2016 Expected Start Date: November 2016 Applications must be submitted via to: applications@afford-uk.org All applicants will receive an automated response acknowledging receipt. Due to shortage of resources, only those selected for interview will be contacted further.

6 AFFORD Job Application Process African Foundation for Development (AFFORD) is an equal opportunities employer and its job application process is set out below. All candidates for jobs within AFFORD must follow the application process. 1. Jobs at AFFORD AFFORD is a small charity and only recruits staff for specific projects and programmes. As such, all job applications need to relate to specific positions as published and advertised. Due to lack of capacity and shortage of resources, AFFORD does not invite or respond to speculative job applications. All employment opportunities shall be published and details disseminated through AFFORD s networks, external networks and where appropriate advertisements will be placed in appropriate print and online publications. 2. CV/Résumé & Diversity Monitoring Form All applicants must submit a CV/résumé and cover letter relevant to the specific position advertised. The CV/résumé and cover letter enables you to provide information about yourself to assist in the initial assessment of your suitability for the position within AFFORD. If you are short-listed, both will be used as part of the interview discussions The cover letter should make reference to the relevant Job Description & Person Specification Applicants are asked to complete and submit a separate Diversity Monitoring Form (which is anonymous and is NOT USED in assessing candidate suitability) The CV/résumé, cover letter and Diversity Monitoring Form should be submitted by to the address provided. 3. Short-Listing by Panel In order to be considered for advertised jobs within AFFORD, applicants must submit a CV/ résumé and cover letter as described above. All applications will be reviewed and assessed by a panel of at least 3 people (including non- AFFORD personnel). The selection panel will use an objective methodology, in line with recruitment best practice, to assess the applications. Those short-listed will be invited to an interview. Due to lack of capacity and shortage of resources, only the candidates who are short-listed will be contacted by AFFORD. If you have not been contacted by AFFORD it means that you have not been short-listed. 4. Interviewing by Selection Panel Candidates who are short-listed will be invited to attend an interview. They will also receive further information about AFFORD and the programme or project that relates to the job. The information may include AFFORD s statement of values, strategic plans, project performance targets etc. Candidates may be asked to prepare and make a presentation on a specific topic relevant to the job/position, or to perform exercises set for them. The selection panel will interview candidates using a set of key questions for all short-listed candidates. The selection panel will use an objective scoring methodology, in line with recruitment best practice, to assess the performance of candidates at the interview. (Where appropriate, AFFORD will hold an assessment centre as part of the selection process. This would involve observation of candidates whilst they undertake a range of individual and group tests and tasks).

7 5. Candidate Selection Using information gathered from the CV/résumé and cover letter, interview and assessment centre (if applicable), the selection panel will select the candidate they consider to be most suitable for the job/position. The person selected will be offered the job and their referees will be contacted by telephone and/or . Unsuccessful candidates who were interviewed will be notified of the outcome and will be given the opportunity to receive feedback by telephone about their interview and application. 6. Appointment by AFFORD If the selected candidate accepts the offer of appointment, she/he will be appointed to the job/position on the basis of the published and agreed employment terms. The appointee shall receive an induction pack from AFFORD on or before she or he starts work. The induction pack shall include, among other things: Particulars and contract of employment Staff handbook including all relevant policy documents Output and outcome targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) relevant to the job Background information on other relevant AFFORD programmes and projects Other relevant documents and information There will also be in-person induction/training for the appointee from the line manager and/or colleagues. AFFORD, London September 2016