The role of the Business Advisor involves providing structured, hands-on advisory and coaching support to programme-supported enterprises, with the core objective of improving their business performance, profitability, sustainability, and market integration. This position specifically focuses on supporting youth entrepreneurs and MSMEs to strengthen financial management, operations, market access, and growth strategies, while ensuring contributions to overall programme results, learning, and reporting.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Enterprise Advisory and Coaching
- Deliver tailored business advisory services including diagnostics, action planning, and follow-up coaching.
- Support the development of comprehensive business plans, robust growth strategies, clear cost structures, and effective pricing models.
- Coach entrepreneurs on sound corporate governance, efficient operations, and proactive risk management.
Financial and Operational Support
- Support enterprises in strengthening basic financial systems, meticulous record-keeping, and strategic cash-flow management.
- Assist enterprises in preparing accurate financial projections and detailed growth plans.
- Identify operational inefficiencies and recommend pertinent improvements.
Market Access and Value Chain Integration
- Support enterprises to identify and successfully access markets, buyers, and relevant value chain opportunities.
- Facilitate crucial linkages with off-takers, essential service providers, and key ecosystem actors.
- Support enterprise participation in B2B forums, exposure visits, and buyer engagement platforms.
Monitoring, Documentation, and Reporting
- Track essential enterprise performance indicators and advisory outcomes.
- Document progress, challenges, and success stories meticulously.
- Contribute necessary data and qualitative insights to the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) and reporting teams.
Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Economics, Agribusiness, or a related field.
- Experience: Minimum five (5) years of experience in business advisory, MSME development, or enterprise support.
- Additional Experience: Experience working with youth-owned or growth-oriented enterprises is considered an advantage.
