EDC Microenterprise Development Officer, Garissa Youth Project Job in Kenya

September 28, 2012

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.

Funded by the United States Agency for International Development, EDC is implementing a project called G-Youth based in the North Eastern Province of Garissa, Kenya.

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

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.