Organization and Program Overview:
Founded in 1958, Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) is an international nonprofit organization that works to build bridges between educational research, policy, and practice.
The Garissa Youth Project (G-Youth) is designed to empower youth
to make sound career and life decisions as they transition from high-school to
the next phase of their lives.
The project offers youth interventions that help them: build
skills, facilitate appropriate career choices, provide employment and/or income
generating information, bridge technical and university education opportunities
and provide a fun and safe space for youth to socialize.
G-Youth also aims to build the capacity of local youth
organizations and networks to increase youth participation and planning in
program activities meant to help youth.
Vacancy Title: Microenterprise Development Officer, Garissa Youth Project
Vacancy Title: Microenterprise Development Officer, Garissa Youth Project
General Position Summary
The Microenterprise Development Officer will work in close
coordination with the Chief-of-Party and a team of project staff to provide
technical oversight of the project’s microenterprise and micro-finance activities
in Garissa, Wajir and Mandera Counties of North Eastern Province.
This position functions as a the member of the Garissa Youth
Project team.
The incumbent will oversee and provide technical assistance to
G-Youth’s microenterprise development program activities, including youth
entrepreneurship training, access to financing and business development support
and coaching youth entrepreneurs.
S/he will also help establish mechanisms that ensure that a
quality and tailored Business Development Support services are provided to
youth entrepreneurs in the program.
The Microenterprise Development Officer will also help to set
the strategic direction for the microenterprise activities for the project and
will ensure that the core objectives of the project are achieved.
Essential functions include [but are not limited to]:
- Develop
a strategy for business development services including identifying
partners and mechanisms;
- Identify
and broker viable partnerships with financial institutions to offer financial
products to youth entrepreneurs;
- Assist
in recruiting and liaising directly with youth participants, as needed
- Assist
in identifying youth entrepreneurs’ training and BDS support services
needs
- Build
capacity of local partners in supporting youth self-employment in relevant
sectors;
- Provide
technical support to implementing partners (government, CBOs/NGOs)
implementing livelihoods and self-employment activities with youth
- Engage
private sector in supporting microenterprise training and business development
support/coaching for youth
- Liaise
with government departments and other organizations with similar
interventions
- Enhance
the linkages between the livelihoods groups and other related players in
the respective value chains
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Degree
in Business Administration or related field.
- 3-5
years work experience in the field of implementing microcredit /enterprise
development programs in Kenya.
- Strong
knowledge of micro-finance strategies appropriate for youth
- Ability
to engage private sector in developing microenterprise training and
business support
- ILO
certification on microenterprise Start and Improve Your Business a plus.
- Experience
with managing or working under USAID-funded programs a plus.
- Ability
to engage community members to contribute to program activities.
- Excellent
organizational skills.
- Strong
interpersonal skills.
- Strong
written and oral communication skills.
- Ability
to work independently and within a team.
- Proficiency
in MSOffice including MSWord, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Passionate
commitment to helping youth identify and create economic and community
leadership opportunities for themselves.
Application and contact details:
Applications must be received in English with a letter, a resume
and names of three references to Amina Issa at AIssa@edc.org
The closing date for this position is October 5, 2012.
EDC is committed to diversity in the workplace.
EDC offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary and
excellent benefits.
