1. Background

The project “Structural Strengthening of Employment Promotion and Vocational Training and Apprenticeship” (SEPVA) aims to improve the employment situation in selected economic sectors for start-ups, entrepreneurs and employees. 

Within this framework, Output 1 aims to establish change processes on a partnership and business management level in order to provide the impetus for sustainable economic growth through increased productivity. The target groups are micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The impact assumption is that, on the one hand, through the promotion of a systemic exchange, such as dialogue formats, implementable innovations and, on the other hand, that through targeted management consulting and coaching of more mature start-ups and companies, the competitiveness of MSMEs will be increased and thus lucrative markets reached which leads to the improvement of the employment situation (module objective). 

Within Output 2 the project aims to expands the range of selected business support services. Expanded market-oriented business support services that offer support for MSMEs will contribute to capacity building to build competitive enterprises, thus increasing productivity and labour demand and ultimately improving the employment situation. Business support services are planned via grants in different areas in Sudan and are established in association with farmers networks, as entrepreneurship hubs in universities and in the format of app incubators. A key activity will be the establishment of an office management platform that offers outsourcing business services in collaboration with an incubator hub.

Output 3 aims to create business clusters for the development of demand-oriented trainings for young people. Business clusters are cooperation initiatives/networks of neighbouring enterprises (MSMEs) in the same fields or trades that are linked to each other regionally, via value chains, supply or competitive relationships. Their collaboration results in a competitive advantage, as the cluster ensures a continuous transfer of knowledge between the companies, which also enables innovations, makes synergies usable and contributes to an increase in productivity. The trainings identified by business clusters shall qualify young people specifically for the needs of the cluster and thus for the specific needs of the labour market. The target group for the activity are MSME, craftsmen and women as well as youth. 

The project is looking for up to three positions in Bands 4 to support with the outputs 1, 2 and 3 with different focus depending on the profiles of the applicants. 

1. Responsibilities

The advisor(s) are responsible for:

• The conceptualisation and implementation of dialogue and networking formats (such as business clubs, speed-dating events, hackathons) (output 1);
• Identification and regular exchange with partner institution for 2nd stage accelerator;
• The conceptualisation and implementation of a business model innovation competition together with partner institution (output 1);
• Support in managing grants in the fields of agriculture, app-incubation and entrepreneurship hub establishment (output 2); 
• The establishment and conceptualisation of a business outsourcing platform/ an office management platform and related exchange with partners, management of consultancies (incl. contracting, TOR development and quality control) (output 2);
• Support the implementation of value chain analysis, organising trainings, meetings and workshops, initiating and maintaining exchange with craftsmen and women/ or companies (output 3); 
• Network, establish and maintain working relationships with any relevant private sector organisations/companies, donors, international organisations and any other relevant organisation (all outputs);
• Correspondence and guidance of national consultants (all outputs) 
• Support the international advisor and the M&E advisor in anything related to knowledge management and monitoring and evaluation (all outputs). 

1. Tasks

The advisor(s) perform the following tasks:

• Plan, coordinate and document all activities related to the project;
• Write terms of references for various international and national short-term consultants and liaise with them;
• Plan, conceptualise and implement activities and smaller projects independently; 
• Liaise with private sector organisations/companies, donors, consultants, international organisations and any other relevant institution;
• Liaise with the partner institution on all matters related to the business models innovation competition and the management consulting for selected companies;
• Prepare technical input for communication products such as case studies, presentations, handouts and social media;
• Support knowledge management and monitoring and evaluation by keeping track and updating information on project progress and documents; 
• Perform other duties and tasks at the request of management.

Qualifications

• University degree in economics, business studies, communication, social science, education, rural development, international development, public policy, law or any other relevant field.

Professional experience

• Minimum of five to seven years of relevant work experience with a minimum of three years of work experience in private sector development;
• Minimum of three years of work experience in project management; first-hand experience with GIZ project management is an asset;
• Experience in setting up dialogue formats;
• Experience in managing grants; 
• Experience in management consulting is an asset;
• Experience in vocational training or the completion of a vocational training is an asset;
• Experience in finances is an asset;
• Experience in conflict sensitive programming is an asset;
• Experience in setting up a business is an asset.

Other knowledge, additional competences

• Good analytical and written skills; 
• Fluent verbal and written skills in Arabic and English is a must;
• Good working knowledge of ITC technologies (related software, phone, email, the internet) and computer applications (e.g. MS Office, etc);
• Excellent networking, communication and mediation abilities including a comprehensive understanding of differing perspectives and backgrounds;
• Excellent planning and organisational skills as well as high level of reliability to honour agreements;
• Adaptability, stress-resistance and performance and goal orientation;
• Ability to work in a team in a multi-cultural environment, incl. intercultural and gender sensitivity. 

Women and People with Disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Please submit the following documents through Sudanjob.net in soft copy:

• In English CV
• Motivation letter