Consultant: Somali Entrepreneurship and Investment program.
Somali Entrepreneurship & Investment program
This project is part of the 3-year Diaspora Investment Agriculture (DIA) initiative by The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) that will be executed by the BiD Network. The key goal of this project is to get 15-20 businesses financed that are active in the food and agricultural sector in Somalia. This is an extremely challenging project because (1) we need to get more than 15 Somali small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) financed in the food and agricultural sector in a country that lacks a proper financial system; (2) we need to get the Somali diaspora to invest or lend to these businesses, of which it is uncertain if they wish to lend or invest. Because of these two challenging components the project will in its first year, 2013, be exploratory.
About the position
We are looking for a consultant based in Somalia or Djibouti that is able to arrange agreements with banks, money transfer companies (MTOs) and telecom companies as well as arrange research and marketing of a business plan competition in Somalia, Somaliland and towards Somali diaspora.
In this position you will….
- Conduct local research to test predefined project assumptions;
- Report research results to the project manager;
- Negotiate MOUs, contracts and procedures with potential financial and marketing partners such as banks, MTO’s, mobile phone companies;
- Spot and communicate Somali network opportunities;
- List potential sources of SMEs & (media) channels to reach Somali SMEs;
- Develop operations for managing the local network;
- Support in the preparation of SME marketing plan;
- Support in the preparation of Diaspora marketing plan;
- Launch and promote a Somali business plan competition;
- Monitor predefined performance indicators;
- Mobilize news on results achieved.
Desired Skills & Experience
About You
You have a Somali background and an excellent understanding of the Somali culture and the political environment. You liked to be challenged to achieve the unachievable. You have a general background in SME development and financing of SMEs in emerging economies. You have proven research/analytical and reporting skills. You are someone who enjoys working independently and has experience in working remotely but likes to be part of an international team. You have strong professional communication and negation skills to set up a network. You follow-up until you get what you want. You are highly motivated to build-up and drive new activities and are willing to live and travel between Somalia, Somaliland and Djibouti. You have more than 5 year work experience and can write fluently in English Arabic and Somali.
Our Offer
- The chance to work in a dynamic and international team;
- The chance to substantially contribute to Somali development;
- 3-month contract with the possibility to be extended to 3 years;
- Market rate salary or consultancy fee based on phased deliverables;
- A challenging, fast moving and innovate work environment.
Company Description
Read more about the BiD Network Foundation here: www.bidnetwork.org/about
Additional Information
Type: Part-time - full-time to be discussed Experience: Mid-Senior level Industries: Finance, contracts/legal, business development, SME development Please submit your CV and letter to jobs@bidnetwork.org by July 28th 2013. Please reference the job title.