Economic Administration & Business Support Officer

‌As the ECONOMIC ADMINISTATION & BUSINESS SUPPORT Officer, you will be responsible forsupporting the Economic Lead and supporting and promoting micro entrepreneurship initiatives within the STAR communities. Micro entrepreneurship refers to a small-scale business activities, often operated by individuals or very small teams, and it plays a vital role in economic development, job creation and poverty alleviation. 

∙ Manage team lead’s calendar, schedule meetings, and handle communication to prioritise tasks.

∙ Organise and maintain documents, assist in document preparation, and ensure confidentiality.

∙ Support meeting logistics, take minutes, and track action items.

∙ Assist in team coordination, task tracking, and general administrative tasks to enable smooth operations of the unit.

Programme Planning and Development:

∙ Collaborate with stakeholders to identify community needs and develop strategic plans for programme implementation.

∙ Design, coordinate, and oversee community Development projects  and initiatives.

∙ Research and stay updated on best practices and innovative approaches in community development.

Project Management:

∙ Develop project timelines, budgets, and work plans in collaboration with team members.

∙ Monitor project progress, identify challenges, and implement solutions to ensure successful outcomes.

∙ Coordinate with partner organisations and vendors to procure necessary resources and services.

 Community Engagement:

∙ Establish and maintain relationships with community members, leaders and organisations to foster collaboration and support.

∙ Organise community meetings, workshops , and events to gather input, disseminate information, and promote participation in programmes and activities.

∙ Conduct outreach activities to raise awareness of opportunities within STAR Communities.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

∙ In conjunction with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, implement and monitor systems for monitoring and evaluating programme outcomes and impact.

∙ Collect, analyse, and report data on programme performance to the Economic Lead and internal team members.

∙ Use evaluation findings to inform programmatic decisions and improve future interventions.

BUSINESS SUPPORT

Community Engagement:  

∙ Engaging with STAR communities to identify potential micro entrepreneurs, understand their needs and challenges, and provide support and resources.

Business Development:  

∙ Identify new business opportunities and partnerships to expand the organisation’s reach and impact.

∙ Develop strategies to attract new participants in the Entrepreneurship & Financial Inclusion programme.

Financial Inclusion: 

∙ Design and implement initiatives to promote financial inclusion, particularly among underserved or marginalised communities.

∙ Develop products or services that cater to the needs of those who are financially excluded.

∙ Collaborate with financial institutions, NGOs and government agencies to promote inclusive financial practices.

Training and Capacity Building:  

∙ Develop and deliver training programs, workshops and mentoring sessions to help aspiring micro-entrepreneurs develop essential business skills, such as business planning, financial management, marketing and customer service.

Access to Finance:  

∙ Conduct outreach and education programs to raise awareness about financial services and their benefits.

∙ Facilitating access to micro finance institutions, government programs or other sources of funding and capital for micro entrepreneurs who lack sufficient financial resources to start or expand their businesses.

Market Access:  

∙ Assisting micro-entrepreneurs in accessing markets for their products or services, including providing guidance on market research, branding and networking opportunities.

Administrative Support:  

∙ Provide administrative support to the Economic Lead.

Note: Training and other support required in the STAR communities will require regular out of town travel.

Qualifications

∙ Bachelor’s degree in Community Development, Social Work, Public Administration, Business or a related field.

∙ Proven experience in community development, project management, or related fields.  

∙ Strong understanding of community dynamics, social issues and development principles.

∙ Excellent communication, interpersonal and networking skills.

∙ Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders and build partnerships.

∙ Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and project management tools.

∙ Experience with grant writing, fundraising and budget management desirable.

∙ Excellent organizational and multi tasking skills.

∙ Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

∙ Commitment to equity, inclusivity and social justice principles.