Job pack: Small Business Advisor

Transcription

1 Job pack: Small Business Advisor Country Nigeria Employer VSO Nigeria (IMA4P) Duration 18 months Job purpose Strengthen the capacity of farmers groups, enterprises and partner organisation on improving access to finance, markets and processing avenues, strengthening farmers capacities on market development and preparing business plans. Contents: 1. Job Description Personal considerations... Error! Bookmark not defined. 3. Background and contextual information... Error! Bookmark not defined. Page 1

2 1. Job Description Responsibilities Key Performance Indicators Competencies Skills and Knowledge To support the youth and farmers groups to understand finance and how to access finance and financial services The Key performance indicators of this placement are that: Essential Page 2 To support to prepare business plan and identify market actors To capacitate and support farmers groups and enterprises on financial literacy, distinguishing between income and profit To build the knowledge of the farmers groups on banking procedures including loan applications To prepare the follow up the groups activity and business plan and review To support the group to do the linkage with the relevant government line department Due to the nature of our volunteer placements, it is possible that the responsibilities of this role may differ in reality and therefore the postholder will need to be prepared to be flexible and adapt to their environment as necessary. Target beneficiaries are able to sustain their livelihoods and the livelihoods of their families. This includes managing their own businesses, supply their produce to the markets and are always able to meet the market demands by having adequate produce for identified markets. Below includes other indicators: Improvements made in the operations of farmers collective or business operation Problems identified, addressed and solutions recommeded Quality of reports developed for business owners detailing solutions (training programs, employee handbook, reporting systems ) Objectives will be confirmed in a three way discussion between the volunteer, employer and VSO in the first three months of the placement. Building and Sustaining working relationships The social skills to build and actively maintain working relationships that foster teamwork and collaboration with others for the benefit of a common goal. Open Minded and Respectful A non-judgemental approach that values other people and culture. Seeking and Sharing Knowledge Recognition that learning is a two-way and continuous process. Facilitating Positive Change The ability to analyse problems and develop lasting solutions in line with VSO approaches. Adaptability A flexible approach and the ability to adapt behaviour to different situations. Resilience The self-confidence to work with a variety of situations, diverse people and ambiguity. A university degree in Business Administration or business management. A degree in Accounting, Marketing, Human resources, Information technology Work experience in business management or related fields preferably for an agri-business and/or market based project Basic understanding of business operations and various areas of business Experience in value chain development and application of innovative financial mechanisms Skills in training and facilitation Strategic planning skills Ability to think innovatively and analytically Sound computer skills Report writing and documentation Desirable Ability to speak Hausa

3 Responsibilities Key Performance Indicators Competencies Skills and Knowledge Previous work experience in West Africa would be an added advantage Responsible to: Head of Programs, Nigeria Page 3

4 2. Personal considerations In addition to the job description, the following information should be used when considering whether a placement is suitable for you. Personal health considerations If you have a significant current or past medical condition and/or you have general concerns about staying healthy as a volunteer, please use this information to assess whether this placement will be suitable for you. All volunteers require medical clearance from a VSO medical adviser before they are able to take up a placement with VSO. Occasionally, VSO may consider that this placement is too great a risk for you in terms of your personal health and you would be advised to consider a different placement. For further guidance about medical assessment and volunteering with a medical condition please see the frequently asked questions on VSO website. Access to medical care and support The standard and quality of local medical care and support available at this placement will depend on its location within the country. Health facilities are likely to be more poorly resourced in rural areas in terms of medical expertise, equipment, infrastructure and regular supplies of medication. However, this may not be the case in the capital city or in a larger town, where in some countries there may be a reasonable standard of medical care. The following gives you an indication of where the placement is in relation to the country office and how easy it would be to make the journey if you were ill. The volunteer will be based in Minna, Niger the State and will have easy access to the medical facilities available in the Capital this included private clinics and State hospital. The VSO Programme Office is between 3 to 4 hours from Minna by road. There is a private hospital in proximity to the volunteers' placement and home in Minna, Niger state to enable volunteers to seek medical assistance 24 hours of the day. Mosquito nets are given to volunteers during the In country training. Programme staff will also check the accommodation before volunteer s arrival to ensure that it meets VSO Nigeria s minimum standard to prevent malaria attacks. Aside Malaria, Typhoid is another common ailment that can be contacted, in other to prevent this disease, volunteers are advised to boil and filter their drinking water, wash fruits and vegetables before eating and cooking. There is also a one hour health talk on healthy living during Page 4

5 the in country orientation which is facilitated by a medical doctor invited from one of VSO Nigeria s recommended hospital. Volunteers are also given a comprehensive health manual that provides necessary information on health issues. Good nutrition can be a challenge with available foods. It is advisable to take vitamin tablets. This placement : will either be in a rural area or small town 5 hours from the capital on mixed roads s by plane If you wish to discuss your personal circumstances or health concerns in confidence with VSO s medical team before you apply for this placement please contact medical@vsoint.org. Accompanying partner or family: If you have a partner or children who are planning to accompany you to your placement, please use this section to assess whether this placement will be suitable for you. Funding available for this modest therefore limited to direct project expenditure Motorcycle requirements Motorbike is an essential means of transportation. The volunteer may need to ride as a pillion; he or she should come with a helmet, as this is usually the means of transport in some parts of the community where the volunteer will be working. Security information The Volunteer would be briefed on security issues in Nigeria during the In country orientation upon arrival. This provides tips for volunteers in managing security issues while in Nigeria. A regular update is also provided weekly in a bulletin form to volunteers through . Nigeria is such a vast country but often reports in newspapers can be distorted of the situation on the ground. Safety is paramount to VSO and volunteers are kept very well informed of any concerns. Page 5

6 3. Background and contextual information VSO have been working in Nigeria since VSO Nigeria currently has Secure Livelihoods, Education and Youth programmes as its main programme and works in clusters to deliver its strategy. The overall goal of the VSO Nigeria country strategy is to reduce poverty and the vulnerability of youth in Nigeria. There are 4 clusters in the VSO Nigeria programme; the North Central, North-West, South-West and the South-South clusters. The Small Business Advisor role is created to ensure the development and implementation of a private sector strategy for the Improving Market Access for the Poor project, mapping out opportunities and cultivating relationships between farmer collectives and corporate partners to develop partnerships. Further information on VSO s work in each of the countries we work in can be found on the VSO website. Page 6