TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. We are a non-profit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital, and markets. Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs, and wealth for their families and communities. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Senior Enterprise Development Specialist- SAY WEE Project
Locations: Kano and Lagos
Employment Type: Full Time
Reports to: Program Manager SAY WEE Project
Job Summary
The main role of the Senior Enterprise Development Specialist reporting directly to the Program Manager contributes to the strategic priority of scaling up the impact of our work through the development of a strong and sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Reporting to the Senior Program Manager, the Senior Enterprise Development Specialist will be responsible for ensuring that project participants have the knowledge and skills to develop and run successful enterprises, or take on decent employment.
In close collaboration and coordination with the Project staff, he/she will ensure successful, innovative, efficient, and effective functioning of all entrepreneurship training and capacity building activities in the project through effective planning, and delivery of project activities in collaboration with other project team members towards achieving the common goal.
Program / Practice / Department Overview:
The project seeks to address unemployment in Nigeria through four pathways namely: self-employment, micro and small growing business acceleration, job readiness and ecosystem development.
With a strong learning agenda, the project will pilot methodologies that drive behaviour change and successfully link women and youth to relevant and lasting jobs.
To achieve its objectives, the project will leverage existing infrastructure, institutions, and organizations where possible.
It will also apply lessons learned from other initiatives in the entrepreneurial ecosystem support space by adopting multiple proven approaches.
The design will follow a common set of principles, such as being market-driven to help entrepreneurs tap into high-growth sectors, build youth skills, and facilitate linkages to drive job placement for targeted youth.
Responsibilities
Lead enterprise development activities under the guidance of the Project Manager. S/he will perform the following tasks;
Identify entrepreneurs, lead identification and enrolment of qualified participants for the business acceleration track
Coordinate a detailed market needs assessment that will identify the core areas, growth sectors, and components of the value chain with opportunities for entrepreneurship for women;
Ensure quality delivery of entrepreneurship training and capacity building activities in the project, including adequacy and suitability of training modules, aftercare, and linkages;
Work with consultant to develop the curriculum and includes a module on sustainable practices and ESG.
Drive learning and knowledge training in the project;
Supervise and support Business Advisors to ensure quality implementation of project activities;
Ensure quality delivery of training of TVET instructors to achieve the objective of the project;
Ensure that all project reports relevant to her/his area of focus are promptly produced and submitted to meet project targets;
Ensure adequacy of the entrepreneurship school curriculum to be deployed by the project;
Responsible for smooth implementation of the entrepreneurship activities and for providing the required relevant information to the monitoring and evaluation team for the effective compilation of results;
Contribute to the programme team’s work on the timely and effective management and implementation of the project’s Enterprise Development activities;
Contribute to the preparation of high-quality progress reports, updates and communication products for the project
The incumbent of the position will uphold the non-discriminatory behavior and ensure that:
Human rights and gender equality is prioritized as an ethical principle within all actions;
Activities are designed and implemented in accordance with “Social and Environmental Standards of TechnoServe and UNICEF”;
Any kind of diversities based on ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, class, gender are respected within all implementations including data production;
Differentiated needs of women and men are considered;
Inclusive approach is reflected within all actions and implementations, in that sense an enabling and accessible setup in various senses such as disability gender language barrier is created.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree with 5 years’ experience in Business Management, Agribusiness, Economics, or related field. Alternatively, Master’s Degree with 3 years’ experience will be considered.
A minimum of 2 years of experience with enterprise development, entrepreneurship training etc with special focus on micro-businesses, youth development, incubation/innovation, value chain or entrepreneurship is desirable.
Experience should include displays of gender sensitivity and promotion of gender equality in all aspects of work.
Preferred Qualifications:
Additional qualifications that would make a candidate more desirable.
Experience in a specific region/country or with a particular funder or donor
INGO Sectoral experience.
Professional experience with international donor projects in Nigeria would be an asset;
Required Languages:
Proficiency in English, Yoruba and Hausa
Travel:
Moderate
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Sound knowledge of systems for gender mainstreaming and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situation.
Good leadership skills in commitment, excitement and ability to create new opportunities for the team.
Good communication skills with ability to share ideas and positions.
Ability to embrace complex challenges and opportunities for getting work done for timely delivery.
Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Good IT literacy, i.e., MS. Word, MS Powerpoint and MS Excel is required.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will supervise 5 Business Advisors.
TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. We are a non-profit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital, and markets. Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs, and wealth for their families and communities. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Operations Specialist (State Offices)
Requisition number: OPERA004754
Locations: Kano and Lagos
Employment Type: Full Time
Job category: Operations
Reports Directly to: Operations Manager
Job Summary
TechnoServe seeks a highly organized, detail-oriented professional to assist TechnoServe Nigeria’s country office with Procurement administrative functions which includes sourcing key suppliers and negotiating contracts with vendors within the confines of organizational policy.
The position under the supervision of the Operations Manager is a critical function of locating key suppliers, negotiating the company’s purchasing agreements and making sure their materials and products meet the company’s specifications.
Additionally, this role being a member of the Operations department, will support office maintenance responsibilities while ensuring smooth office operations across TNS Nigeria.
Primary Functions & Responsibilities
Procurement:
Facilitates procurement processes for projects as assigned and following set procurement policy and procedures. Initiates and facilitates shared office and programme procurements.
Coordinate vendor acquisition, vendor database management and the creation of vendor card in line with the policy.
Prepare requests for quotes/proposals and negotiate purchase terms and conditions.
Prepare and issue purchase orders and agreements.
Monitor supplier performance and resolve issues and concerns.
Support the Operations Manager to work with and guide project staff on procurement processes and purchases.
Work with the Operations Manager to Inspect and evaluate the quality of purchased items and resolve shortcomings.
With the Operations Manager, analyze industry and demand trends while supporting senior management with the development and implementation of sourcing strategies.
Work with the operations manager to stir managers of the organization towards adherence to policies and procedures so as to achieve supply goals in a timely manner.
Support the Operations Manager in providing innovative approaches for conducting frequent procurement policy and procedure training and updates to the country staff as required.
Work closely with the other Operations Specialists and align with policies and procedures.
Asset and Inventory Management:
Ensure management of asset register of the office, and regular update of the asset register to ensure compliance with donor rules and insurance coverage.
Supervise the Management of office supplies and inventory ensuring regular update and physical count.
Track and ensure the renewal of project vehicles documents including annual comprehensive insurance.
Security and Safety:
Assist the Operations Manager with Country Safety and Security Focal points in coordinating the country safety and security tasks.
Support the preparation and drafting of any operations-related official correspondence.
Travel:
Facilitating an agreed set of international and domestic travel requests for employees.
Monitor and report through the Operations Manager vehicle routes and speed limit application.
General Operations-Second Level Supervision:
Provide supervision to junior-level operations team support staff such as drivers, cleaner, and operations assistant to inform management decisions through the operations lead. Guide them to regularly comply with operational standards.
Guide the project Administrator to coordinate meetings, prepare and disseminate meeting agendas and briefing notes.
Supervise document filing and develop improved office administrative procedures.
Draft correspondence including reports, processes and other administrative documents.
Oversee the daily purchases and supervise the management of office petty cash.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Business administration, Supply chain and Logistics Management or other relevant Social Sciences-related fields.
Possession of a procurement certification is an added advantage.
At least 3 years of work experience in office administration, logistics and procurement, organizing travels and other operational support responsibilities preferably with an international NGO. Alternatively, a Master’s degree with at least 1 years’ of experience.
Preferred Qualification:
Experience with a non-profit INGO organization is an added advantage in handling procurement responsibilities.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
High professional work ethic and integrity.
Ability to reason objectively, clear strong and strategic communication skills.
Good interpersonal and public relations skills.
Strong operational, analytical and supervision skills.
Ability to meet demands of competing priorities with minimal supervision.
Ability to work both as a team lead and a team member.
Effective oral and written communication skills, and ability to work independently on multiple tasks simultaneously.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Experience with relevant software packages, including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
