Coach - Business Development (x4)

Mada Association, in partnership with We World and with funding from ECHO, is implementing the project “Cash-plus assistance to support socio-economically vulnerable households meet their basic needs and withstand future shocks in Akkar Governorate.”

As part of this project, Mada is supporting 200 vulnerable households to launch or scale-up Income Generating Activities (IGAs) across various sectors, including livestock management, agriculture, food processing, retail shops, and technical services. The project aims to provide a holistic package of support, including in-kind grants and tailored coaching (business and technical), to help these households develop viable IGAs that can foster self-reliance and resilience, and an exit from cash assistance.

Through this initiative, the project seeks to:

• Achieve Positive Return on Investment (ROI): Enable IGAs to generate income that exceeds their initial grant value.
• Restore Livelihoods: Ensure at least 60% of households meet 50% of the Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket (SMEB) costs within six months of starting their IGA.

The Business Development Coaches will play a pivotal role in this effort by providing tailored business coaching to help beneficiaries develop market-responsive business plans, strengthen their capacity to manage their IGAs, and improve their ability to overcome challenges.

Each Business Development Coach will be responsible for providing tailored business development support to around 25 households per cycle for a total of 50 households in 2 cycles engaged in diverse Income Generating Activities (IGAs). The selected coaches will work closely with each household’s focal point to align coaching sessions with their specific needs, challenges, and market context, ensuring they are tailored to the particular IGA. Through personalized one-on-one sessions, the coach will focus on:

• Working with the household focal points to develop business plans jointly, while building the focal point’s capacities in, financial management, pricing, marketing, fundamental of market analysis, customer engagement, and production strategies.
• Develop business plans that include considerations for market competitiveness, local demand, and sustainability.
• Ensure that IGAs are viable, competitive, and aligned with market opportunities. Mitigating risks such as market saturation while exploring growth and diversification opportunities.
• Advise on the development of sustainable business practices to ensure a long-term growth.

The coaching program will consist of 3 to 6 (depending on need) one-on-one sessions per household, conducted at the households' locations in Mazarea Jabal Akroum, Machta Hammoud and Wadi Khaled - Akkar. Each session will last approximately 3 to 4 hours.

The program will be implemented in two cycles: the first cycle will include 97 households in Mazarea Jabal Akroum, starting in January 2025 and end in March 2025. The second cycle will cover up to 103 households in Machta Hammoud and Wadi Khaled and will start in April and end in June 2025, with each coach responsible for around 25 beneficiaries per cycle.

Mada reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of sessions and allocated households as needed.

The Business Development Coach will:

• Conduct 3-6 personalized coaching sessions per household, focusing on: financial management, pricing, marketing, customer engagement, fundamental of market analysis, sales and revenue growth and business planning, and legal compliance for businesses
• Assess and evaluate each household’s IGA, available resources (assets, skills, and knowledge), and market opportunities.
• Identify business gaps, challenges, and areas for improvement to guide the coaching process.
• Work with each household to draft a practical, sector-specific business plan.
• Support the households in identifying gaps and opportunities in their sectors.
• Identify and address bottlenecks or challenges that may hinder performance.
• Provide insights on market trends to avoid risks of market duplication or saturation.
• Provide recommendations for improving the support provided to the households.
• Facilitate linkages between households and relevant market actors, suppliers, or cooperatives.

The Business Development Coach is expected to provide the following deliverables:

1. IGA Assessment Report: Summary of each household’s IGA status, including but not limited to business gaps, and the market opportunities.
2. Individual Business Plans: Tailored plans for each household, including market competitiveness, local demand, and sustainability.
3. Household Summary Report: Summary of sessions, progress made, lessons learned, and recommendations.
4. Attendance Sheets: Documented participation for all coaching sessions.
5. Evidence of Implementation: Any documented evidence demonstrating progress.
6. Recommendations for scaling up successful IGAs and further support needed for households.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Marketing, Agribusiness or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in business development coaching or training.
• Proven expertise in supporting small businesses or IGAs, particularly in vulnerable/rural contexts.
• Familiarity with Akkar market dynamics.
• Familiarity with local markets, especially in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, livestock management, and service-based industries like hairdressing, sewing, catering...etc.
• Previous experience working with NGOs on similar or relevant missions is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of financial management, marketing, and business planning.
• Ability to provide practical, actionable advice tailored to diverse IGAs.
• Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills to engage with vulnerable populations.
• Ability to submit reports in English.