Associate Business Advisor - Smart Souks Program

About the role

TechnoServe is hiring an Associate Business Advisor (ABA) to support the implementation of the Smart Souks program in Addis Ababa and its surroundings. Working closely with the Program Manager, the ABA ensures that project activities are implemented in a timely and effective way and that the project's goals are achieved. The Smart Souks initiative builds on the earlier Smart Duka program in Kenya and aims to organize micro-retailers into scalable clusters serving high-density condominium communities, working through locally embedded Business Development Services providers.

Key responsibilities

• Implement program activities and ensure delivery of the outputs and outcomes set out in the program proposal.
• Support the program in identifying, vetting and selecting the souks.
• Lead the baseline, midline and end-line surveys.
• Ensure souk training follows the specified curriculum and provide one-on-one coaching to souk owners.
• Work with souk owners to form business associations.
• Review project activities in the field with the Program Manager to remove risks to implementation.
• Build relationships with government ministries, private sector companies, financial institutions, business associations and academic institutions.
• Maintain the project work plan, submit weekly activity reports and report on monthly and quarterly targets.
• Promote TechnoServe's values, vision and strategy and perform other duties assigned by the Program Manager.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in a business-related field such as marketing, business administration, finance, entrepreneurship, human resources or MIS.
• 2 years of consulting or work with micro-businesses in Addis Ababa.
• Knowledge of recent retail trends in the country.
• Experience working with communities living on less than $2 a day and willingness to travel frequently in informal settlements.
• Track record of building relationships with government ministries, private companies, financial institutions, business associations and academic institutions.

Required skills

• Strong report writing skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Able to generate innovative solutions and work with minimal supervision.