Business Start-Up Officer

Job Title: Business Start-Up Officer
Department: Education
Reports To: Education Program Manager

Summary:

The Business Start-Up Officer is instrumental in leading the business establishment component within Anera’s Competency-Based Training (CBT) program, specifically designed to support youth in launching and sustaining their own businesses. This role focuses on guiding high-potential entrepreneurs through the process of idea validation, business planning, and accessing necessary resources (in-kind, not financial grants) to ensure successful business launches.

Key Responsibilities:

Business Development & Start-Up Support:

• Identify and assess high-potential youth entrepreneurs within the CBT program and guide their transition into business establishment.
• Facilitate the development of detailed business proposals, ensuring these plans are robust, feasible, and market-relevant.
• Oversee the process from proposal approval to the procurement of necessary business items, ensuring alignment with the business needs and goals.

Procurement and Resource Allocation:

• Coordinate with the procurement department to ensure the timely acquisition and delivery of business resources as approved in the business plans.
• Manage logistics from procurement to delivery, ensuring that entrepreneurs receive the necessary items to launch and sustain their businesses.

Capacity Building and Training:

• Conduct training sessions focused on financial literacy, investment readiness, and digital entrepreneurship.
• Provide ongoing mentorship and coaching to ensure entrepreneurs effectively utilize the resources provided.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting:

• Develop tools to monitor the effectiveness and impact of the business start-ups, tracking progress against key performance indicators.
• Prepare comprehensive reports detailing business progress, challenges, and the impact of support mechanisms.

Networking and Strategic Partnerships:

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including private sector entities and industry experts, to provide ongoing support and market linkage for the youth businesses.
• Facilitate networking opportunities and engagements that benefit the entrepreneurs.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Project Management, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in business development, start-up acceleration, or entrepreneurship support.
• Demonstrated experience in managing similar programs, with a focus on non-financial business support and resource allocation.
• Strong understanding of market research, financial forecasting, and business planning.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and partnership development skills.
• Fluency in Arabic and English, both written and spoken.

Additional Skills:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, capable of managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team.