CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: Building Markets
Country: Liberia
Closing date: 20 Sep 2013

Building Markets MissionTo build markets, create jobs and sustain peace in developing countries by championing local entrepreneurs and connecting them to new business opportunities.Building Markets VisionBuilding Markets believes that opportunity is the antidote to poverty. Opportunity is created when local entrepreneurs fulfill their potential and businesses are viable. As a result, countries are no longer dependent on humanitarian aid, but instead become hubs of market investment. Building Markets moves developing countries from aid to investment by supporting local entrepreneurs, building marketplaces and accelerating economic growth.Program Description

Building Markets’ USAID Sustainable Marketplace Initiative Liberia (SMI-L) creates jobs and sustains peace by championing local entre¬preneurs and connecting them to new business opportunities. SMI-L works across sectors to support local businesses, build and strengthen local supply chains, and ensure monies spent in Liberia stay in Liberia. Country ContextBuilding Markets has worked in Liberia since 2011 with funding from Humanity United, BHP Biliton and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In Liberia, BM partners with the Government of Liberia, development organizations, local entrepreneurs and the private sector to provide innovative solutions to complex developmental challenges. Building Markets expects to receive new funding and potentially new programs in 2014.Position OverviewBuilding Markets is seeking an entrepreneurial Project Services Manager (PSM) who will provide leadership and support to its Sustainable Marketplace Initiative in Liberia. This includes project management, services review, and relationship building with new partners/buyers. The PSM will preferably have experience with private sector-related programs in Africa, strong management and communications skills, and an understanding of aid assistance and foreign direct investment. The PSM will also have the following core competencies:• Creative mindset: initiative-rich, energetic and efficient, results-oriented• Critical Analysis: an ability to structure and find solutions to complex problems• Communications: good interpersonal skills and ability communicate to external counterparts and internal colleagues• Capable of thinking “outside the box” and provide innovative approaches to programmatic and management challengesResponsibilities and DutiesThe PSM reports to the Country Director and is responsible for programmatic services under the SMI-L program, which includes business linkages, communications and advocacy, the online portal, data management and market research. Specific responsibilities and duties include:Strategic Planning• Develop a comprehensive and innovative engagement strategy, in collaboration with the Matchmaking and Communications and Advocacy teams for all buyers working in Liberia. • Develop forecasts for existing and future procurement needs in priority sectors and of each major institutional buyer and monitor procurement needs on an ongoing basis;• Translate this information into strategic plans for the business development team to produce efficient business processes and effective partnerships with institutional buyers and local vendors;• Work closely with the Communications and Advocacy Team to ensure the SMI-L advocacy plan is closely in line with the programmatic objectives;• Provide input to improve the overall strategy and efficiency of the SMI-L project.Business Development• Develop and implement business development plans for each viable target sector and institutional buyer;• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with major institutional buyers in country, including the promotion of other Building Markets services to them;• Represent Building Markets at events, including official dinners, trade fairs, meetings, etc.;• Act as Officer in Charge when required.Staff Management• Supervise and mentor Matchmaking, Communications and Advocacy, Monitoring and Evaluation and Market Research teams;• Conduct quarterly reviews the project business development strategy and departmental work plan and ensure verification and re-verification is undertaken in line with our programming objectives;• Participate in recruitment of national staff;• Carry out annual performance appraisals of direct reports.Tracking and Reporting• Ensure efficient systems are in place to track results and impact;• Oversee data gathering, follow-up with buyers and vendors, and ensure accuracy and effectiveness of data management;• Gather, verify and compile monthly quantitative and qualitative reporting by business development team;• Ensure results and success stories are catalogued and provided to communications team in a timely manner.Qualifications• Master’s degree in Business, Private Sector Development, related field or substantial equivalent in professional experience;• 3-5 years of field experience, preferably in West Africa or similar developing country;• Experience in relations with international private and public sector organizations;• Demonstrable experience in organizational representation and business development;• Experience in successfully managing national and international staff;• Experience working on projects funded by public and large private donors;Compensation PackageCompetitive salary, in-country adjustment, and benefits.

How to apply:

ApplicationIf you have the talents to lead an award winning organization entering into its next phase and to build Building Markets reputation for changing the way aid works, send your CV and a cover letter, clearly explaining how you would meet these qualifications to vacancies@buildingmarkets.org.