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CARE began its operations in Pakistan, as a multi-mandate organization, working for both longer-term development opportunities as well as supporting the most vulnerable communities in times of humanitarian crises. Since its establishment, CARE International in Pakistan (CIP) has worked across all parts of the country- from the hardest to reach areas to urban metropolises. CARE engages with private sector partners, government, and local communities to promote women’s economic empowerment with a particular focus on entrepreneurship development, financial inclusion, strengthening inclusive value chains, and increasing employability skills. Our approach goes beyond a singular focus on income generation to holistically promoting empowerment by focusing on strengthening women and girls’ education, confidence, negotiation skills and fostering an enabling environment that is free from gender based violence (GBV) in the world of work (especially sexual harassment and other gender biases). 

I. Job Summary

In light of the entrepreneurial milieu in Pakistan, CIP aims to support striver entrepreneurs (businesses with two to ten employees) by improving their access to finance, encouraging them to use digital tools such as mobile wallets, and marketing platforms to grow their businesses and provision of skill enhancement trainings and mentoring. CIP places special emphasis on encouraging women-strivers to ensure that they can also display similar signs of growth, namely increase in sales, jobs and incomes. Thus, the project aims to help them in their business growth process through capacity building and strengthening of their business practices and systems. In order to implement this project, CIP seeks to work through partners to provide financial services to beneficiary entrepreneurs. 

In this regard, the organization is recruiting an Entrepreneurship Development Specialist (MSME Growth Advisor) to manage the project component related to wrap around services with the aim to boost the growth of enterprises, promote business acumen and increase capabilities amongst the target striver entrepreneurs. The role will lead the needs assessment of the businesses to ensure that the strivers are supported with the required knowledge and skills to run effective businesses.  As part of the program team, the Entrepreneurship Development Specialist (MSME Growth Advisor) will lead the strivers’ capacity building and business strengthening component of the project. Moreover, the role will entail partnership formulation with entities in the country working in the area of entrepreneurship development including incubators, and entrepreneurship development service providers. The current project is being implemented in three countries and the position entails managing the entrepreneurship development activities for the project in Pakistan along with the Project Manager. The project is being implemented in 7 cities of the country i.e. Karachi, Hyderabad, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Rawalpindi.

II. Job Description:

Job Responsibility #1:  Lead the design and planning of entrepreneurship development and support component of the project - % of time: 60%

  • Manage the implementation of entrepreneurship development component of the project
  • Formulate partnerships with entrepreneurship development service providers, partners and key stakeholders to ensure optimal design and implementation of the work plan
  • Identify policies, strategies and methods that can be utilized/adapted for the capacity building of striver entrepreneurs in the Pakistani context and propose general recommendations and directions for the partners  
  • Conduct and/or manage a needs assessment to identify the trainings needs of the strivers
  • Analyze the demand for services amongst strivers and map the channels for training delivery
  • Lead the curriculum development with focus on tailoring the curriculum to specific target groups, ensuring that the needs and barriers of women entrepreneurs are specifically addressed in training delivery and content
  • Design/co-design training tools using innovative and digital approaches
  • Build a striver peer community, networks, knowledge sharing platforms to providing an opportunity for striver to share knowledge and experiences
  • Enhance the use by strivers of up-to-date techniques, digital mechanisms and knowledge
  • Assist in gaining acceptance for the project’s approach amongst strivers
  • Support the Project Manager to effectively inspire, lead and manage strivers involved in the project
  • Build synergies with other components of the project
  • Increase business acumen and other skills of the strivers to achieve goals, with gender focus to address capacity challenges faced by women strivers

Job Responsibility #2: Implement planned activities through public/private partnership building and collaboration to achieve project results  - % of time: 20%

  • Identify opportunities to link strivers’ with businesses for uptake of products/ capacity building
  • Develop key strategies for promoting strivers in collaboration with the private sector institutes
  • Provide leadership in promoting female strivers with select partners and key public private stakeholders
  • Expand opportunities for strivers at both the policy and grassroots levels, and in promoting international information exchange to help businesses grow
  • Maintain collegial, productive relationships with other stakeholders while achieving the overall component goals and objectives

Job Responsibility #3: Ensure quality of deliverables in coordination with monitoring and evaluation unit, and promote visibility of project through relevant channels - % of time: 15%

  • Effectively design and implement a regular monitoring system of the training
  • Regularly use insights and data from the monitoring data to feedback to the key partner and iterate on the training according to user needs
  • Ensure timely implementation of relevant portions of the work plan in allotted districts
  • Ensure that the scheduling, budgeting, technical, and documentary attributes of the component and related data are fully up to date
  • Ensure that project documentation is compliant with CARE and donor policies, consistent with achieving the overall component goals and objectives
  • Ensure critical analysis of strivers’ adherence to, and progress in implementing, all aspects of project workplan
  • Continually identify specific training needs and support required for strivers
  • Conduct all business in a manner that respects local culture

Any other task as assigned by the supervisor - % of time: 05%

III. Job Specifications

A) Education/ Training

  • Bachelor's degree in economics, finance, business administration and/or related field; Master's degree will be preferred. 

B) Experience

Required:

  • At least 7 years of relevant experience in designing or managing entrepreneurship programmes, business enhancing programmes or SME development programmes with experience in capacity building and training in the project context
  • Experience in providing capacity building, including one-on-one or small group technical assistance, and creating related tools and resources
  • Experience in designing customized curriculum and training tools using innovative and digital approaches
  • Have in-depth experience and understanding of the   considering women’s needs for training, technical expertise in entrepreneurship content
  • Demonstrated track record in delivering MSME growth in emerging economies
  • Demonstrated experience in establishing partnerships with incubators, entrepreneurship development centres, business centres, networks will be an advantage

Preferred:

  • Experience or familiarity with international donor agencies promoting financial inclusion will be an added advantage.

C) Technical Skills

  • Technical knowledge in entrepreneurship development as demonstrated by successful work experience
  • Demonstrated practical experience coordinating entrepreneurship development services, preferably related to striver entrepreneurs
  • Proven understanding of digital financial solutions and digital tools.
  • Understanding of key gender equality considerations, design, approaches and indicators for women’s economic empowerment and equality
  • Fluency in written and spoken English and Urdu; knowledge of any other local language will be preferred
  • Excellent computer skills (MS office)

D) Competencies

  • Excellent written and spoken communications skills;
  • Sound analytical, organizational and negotiation skills
  • Relating and networking
  • Flexibility and adaptability
  • Ability to self-manage, work under pressure and meet deadlines
  • Proactivity and ability to present the big picture
  • Capacity to be dynamic, creative and innovative
  • Excellent rapport building, interpersonal and team-building skills, and able to manage relationships with stakeholders
  • Pro-active attitude with a proven ability to engage with multiple teams
  • Capacity to plan, organize and deliver results; and
  • Commitment to CARE’s vision and mission.

IV. Duty Station and Level of Travel Required

The position is based in Islamabad, and entails travelling to different parts of Pakistan. 

CARE International in Pakistan is an equal opportunity employer; only individuals who are shortlisted will be contacted for an interview. CARE has a zero-tolerance approach toward sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, and child abuse.

Note: Individuals can apply using Brightspyre or send their resumes directly to [email protected] clearly mentioning the position title in the subject line of the email, before the stated deadline.