CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES LESOTHO
CAREER OPPORTUNITY
Local Entrepreneurship Specialist
Reports to: Project Manager – Economic Inclusion Program
About Catholic Relief Services (CRS):
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health and nutrition, WASH, agriculture and food security, education, microfinance, peacebuilding and Integrated Catchment Management (ICM).
CRS is currently seeking qualified, experienced, dynamic, and highly motivated candidates for a Local Entrepreneurship Specialist position to support Implementation of an Economic Inclusion Program (EIP) under the anticipated Pathways to Sustainable Livelihoods Project, based in Lesotho.
Job Summary:
The Local Entrepreneurship Specialist will be responsible for development of appropriate and contextualised entrepreneurship training material, planning and coordination of trainings as well as conducting the trainings to the respective target beneficiaries under micro-entrepreneurship training service area of the EIP.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:
- Identify capacity gaps of the target beneficiaries on basics of entrepreneurship and business management which will then inform development of relevant and focused training material. This will be accomplished using needs assessment and situational analysis approaches.
- Develop entrepreneurship training curriculum which include modules that are tailored to vulnerable youth and women including those out of the labor force (inactive or long-term unemployed). Curriculum should include – among others – modules on the following:
- Introduction to entrepreneurship, which aims to develop entrepreneurial traits and behaviors, emphasizing the socio-emotional skills needed to successfully seize business opportunities to grow the business.
- Examples of successful start-ups and best practices for entrepreneurs.
- Assessing the entrepreneurs’ skills and interest.
- Practical application of a business idea.
- Business ideation, validation and launch using minimum viable product (MVP) approach.
- Future-thinking: how to anticipate potential setbacks and opportunities and prepare for them now.
- Ensure that all the training material are based on international best practices and are adapted to local context and are culturally sensitive.
- Organize and conduct trainings/workshops for different groups of selected target entrepreneurs cross five community councils: Metsi Maholo Tosing, Thaba Mokhele, Bolahla and Phuthiatsana.
- Monitor, coach, mentor and accompany the target micro- entrepreneurs to establish sustainable income generating activities which will bolster their household’s income and livelihoods.
- Compile progress and training reports for entrepreneurship training service area in a timely manner and share with the project Manager and other key stakeholders,
- Support development of the project annual implementation plan and budget and ensure that entrepreneurship training service area activities and budget allocations are relevant and adequate.
- Develop business material which will guide the entrepreneurs to better manage daily operations of their enterprises,
- Integrate innovation, sustainability and social entrepreneurship topics in training material as these topics are key in building sustainable and successful enterprises if embraced from early stages of the the business.
Basic Qualifications and experience:
- The Local Entrepreneurship Specialist must have at least a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration and Management or in a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in Lesotho in training, counseling, business development support and access to market.
- Strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills as well as good judgment and vision.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Sound coordination skills and a demonstrated ability to multi-task.
- Demonstrates diplomacy, flexibility, and resourcefulness.
- Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Required Languages – Excellent written and spoken Sesotho and English
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfil his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
- Integrity
- Continuous Improvement & Innovation
- Builds Relationships
- Develops Talent
- Strategic Mindset
- Accountability & Stewardship
Submission:
Please note that the position is only open to applicants who are Citizens of Lesotho. Interested Basotho candidates should submit their CV and cover letter indicating salary expectations, no later than 6th April 2023 at 14:00 by email to [email protected] with the subject line LOCAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP SPECIALIST. If the subject line does not indicate the position, the applicant will not be considered.
HARD COPY APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.
Please be advised that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, all successful candidates will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and their personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate their behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer