Strengthening Support Services Leader

Reporting Unit/Supervisor: Team lead

Location: London or Nairobi or Accra

Travel: International up to _40_%

Expected Start Date: Q1 2015

TechnoServe Background

TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries. We are a nonprofit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital and markets. Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs and wealth for their families and communities. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.

Program Description

The UK Department for International Development (DFID) has signaled its intention to launch a program that will strengthen the small and growing businesses (SGB) sector and support to start up companies in target countries, including Ghana or Kenya, by developing the local enabling environment and a robust ecosystem for start-ups. The program aims to work within the existing ecosystem to improve access of entrepreneurs to financial capital, skills and professional networks, and other financial and non-financial support to support entrepreneurs to transform business ideas into reality; and thereby increase the creation of high productivity jobs and incomes in key sectors. In Ghana and Kenya, the program will work with investors, incubation hubs, business service providers and other stakeholders to strengthen auxiliary services, encourage investment and enable the growth of the SME sector. In line with DFID's priorities in sub-Saharan Africa, the program will focus upon industries and enterprises with the potential to create jobs for poor people and develop products and services for Base of the Pyramid consumers.

Position Description

This person will be responsible for the overall technical delivery of all aspects of Start Up relating to strengthening support services. They will:

• Lead the team on value chain mapping and analysis and the identification of market constraints to be addressed by Start up
• Lead on the development of market analysis and strategies and engagement with BDS providers identified for Start Up support
• Lead on the overall design and implementation of intervention activities in line with market/ecosystem strategies agreed in the focus sectors
• Support the technical teams to manage specific interventions including the sourcing of consultants and review of work
• Engage with key stakeholders in the focus sectors, including collaborating with existing development efforts and other donor programmes
• Oversee programme implementation and provide quality assurance on all outputs and deliverables related to the Strengthening support services workstream.
• Together with the Team Leader, Stimulating investment Leader and the global team develop and agree work plans.
• Report to and work with the regional team leader

Required Skills & Experience

• A minimum of 10 years' private sector development experience, including on working with /advising business development service providers
• Strong value chain expertise, ideally in East/West Africa
• Strong programme management experience, in particular managing teams under donor funded
• Experience in leading technical teams
• Experience in working in developing countries, preferably in sub-Saharan Africa

Exceptional candidates may, in addition to the above, have:

• Master's Degree level in subjects such as Business, Agribusiness, Economics, International Development or similar
• Around 5 years' experience using the M4P/market system approach

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• The incumbent must sit for an extended number of hours throughout the day using a computer, talking by telephone or Skype and meeting with others.
• This person must occasionally lift items which weigh up to 20 lbs. and must be capable of lifting and pulling their luggage when traveling.
• Other requirements include climbing stairs, walking and bending.

Application Instructions

Qualified and interested applicants for this position in any country should submit a Word-formatted single document consisting of cover letter, resume and salary history to jobs@tns.org. Please identify the position for which you are applying and the location in the subject line.

APPLICANTS WITHOUT A LOCATION PREFERENCE IN THE SUBJECT LINE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Only applicants meeting minimum qualifications will be considered or contacted. No phone calls please. Closing date for applications is 2 November 2014.

TECHNOSERVE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER OF MINORITIES, FEMALES, PROTECTED VETERANS, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES