Business Development Officer

Tasks and responsibilities:    Under the direct supervision and the general technical guidance of the Technical Director the Business Development Officer is responsible for a number of functions, as listed below:   Coordination of implementation of the North LEDA Annual Work Plan in the region. Assists the Director to deliver projects within the constraints of scope, time and cost to agreed levels of quality, within the Agency’s governance and project management framework. Assist in the development of project proposals, marketing and fundraising, particularly related to the objectives and targets of the Agency. Actively participates in all phases of the project or specific phases of larger projects. Provide administrative and logistical support to project implementation teams located in diverse locations. Assist in the development and promotion of new networks and partnerships. Conduct regular consultations with local, target entrepreneurs/beneficiaries/clients and sector-specific groups to determine local needs and opportunities, and technical assistance requirements. Co-ordinate the provision of training, marketing, and technical assistance to local, target entrepreneurs/beneficiaries/clients and sector-specific groups in line with their needs identified. Provide technical assistance to clients/beneficiaries for business development and set an assistance mechanism to strengthen the capacities including on-the-job training and on-site field visits. Support the local entrepreneurs/beneficiaries/clients in establishing business to business links, mainly in the framework of the prioritized territorial value chains including the development of marketing plans for the corresponding plans in the region. Develop links between the North LEDA and other organizations providing finance of relevance to the North LEDA target clientele. Where applicable, provide all reasonable assistance to the North LEDA clients wishing to apply for financing. Actively promote the North LEDA services between local entrepreneurs/beneficiaries/clients and sector-specific groups. Maintain up-to-date reviews of similar and relevant activities undertaken by other stakeholders in the Area. Support Technical Director in the implementation of the yearly Work Plan. Undertake other specific functions and tasks as deemed necessary by the Technical Director.     Monitoring and Reporting   Monitor the results, according to the Yearly Work Plan provided by the North LEDA Technical Director. Report regularly to the Technical Director on the implementation of the Work Plan, its activities and results. Prepare monthly progress reports on the business support provided to the local entrepreneurs.     Qualifications:   Very good understanding of the local private sector as well as of the territorial value chains Very good knowledge of the local economy and in-depth knowledge of the sectors on focus for the North LEDA Ability to transfer knowledge and skills as well as excellent business plans drafting skills Sufficient competence in local economic development Ability to deal professionally with confidential data The candidate shall have particular capacity of team working, supervision, and gathering different people towards shared objectives and actions.