Business Counselor Job in Kenya

Duma Works is recruiting a Business Counselor for one of our clients: a non-profit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital and markets. 

Smart Dukas Program Description: Small and family run retail businesses locally known as “dukas” face a number of challenges in running efficiently, resulting in less than optimal profits for the entrepreneurs that run them. 

These retailers are mostly informal and operate on a cash basis. Restocking generally requires the owner to travel to a supplier, often a large retailer, with cash in order to make the purchase. 


This is expensive and time consuming, and entrepreneurs can only resupply with cash on hand. 

This inefficiency results in periods of closure, limited inventory, stock depletion and ultimately relatively high prices to purchasers and low income for the storekeepers. 

Overcoming these obstacles presents an opportunity to unleash a wave of growth providing the entrepreneurs with the ability to develop stronger, more profitable businesses. 

There is significant potential to increase the efficiency of supply chain management, and decrease price volatility.

Since January 2016, the company has been working to increase the profitability of 840 high-potential mom and pop shops in Nairobi, Kenya. 

In partnership with the a foundation, the initiative builds on the success of a similar effort in a partner country and provides shop owners in Kenya with the knowledge, training and tools to significantly improve their incomes.
 
Purpose: Our client is seeking to fill some positions of business counsellors, to support in the implementation of program activities in the informal settlements in Nairobi. 

Working closely with program Associate Business Advisors, the Business counsellors will be responsible for timely and effective implementation of project activities and achievement of the project’s goal.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Business counselors will be responsible for the following duties:-
  • Provide support in achievement of deliverables under the program, including specific outputs and outcomes laid out the program proposal.
  • Support in conducting the baseline survey for the program
  • Identify, vet and select the dukas
  • Deliver formal training in; Business management, financial management, merchandising, digital technology solutions and supply chain management
  • Conduct a one on one coaching with duka owners to enhance coordination and collaboration with each other
  • Work closely with duka owners to form business associations
  • Work closely with the Associate Business advisor to ensure program deliverables are met.
  • Draft timely and concise reports on project implementation and share best practices and lessons learned from the project
  • Ensure program monitoring and evaluation and reporting for project
  • Through critical review of project activities in the field, work with the ABA to eliminate risks that may hinder effective implementation of the Project
  • Establish and maintain strong relationships with relevant stakeholders including, government ministries, private sector companies, financial institutions, business associations, and academic institutions;
  • Maintain project work plan, action plans and ensure timely project implementation
  • Understand, respect and promote the organisation’s values, vision, and strategy in the
  • Implementation of assigned duties
Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • 1- 2 years’ experience of consulting/working with Micro- businesses in Nairobi
  • Conversant with recent trends in the retail industry in the country
  • Strong and demonstrable report writing skills
  • Experience working with communities living on less than $2 a day
  • Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills a must
  • Willingness to travel frequently in the informal settlements
  • Proficiency in MS Office especially Excel and PowerPoint
  • Training experience will be an added advantage
Reporting Unit / Supervisor: Associate Business Advisor
 
Job Type: Temporary position
 
Apply

If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please send your CV and cover letter to apply@dumaworks.com  In the cover letter make sure to indicate your three years’ salary history. 

As the subject line of your email, write “2213” and please make sure to include Your Full name & Phone number e.g. 2213, Barack Obama, 07xxxxxxxxx.in the message body. If you don’t follow these instructions, your application will not go through. 

Deadline for receiving applications: 14th May 2016

* When applying to any job through Duma Works, you can expect that after you apply, you will receive a confirmation email, and then an SMS alert asking you to take a basic screening test over SMS. The SMS with the test may not arrive immediately. Please be patient. The SMS test will typically be 5-8 questions to help us understand your background. Regular SMS rates apply to the test, and if you ever have any issues with the process, please reach out to 0702093793.