Job ID
41924
Job Title
Business Specialist- Work and Enterprise Program
To work for
Aga Khan Foundation
Country
Syria
City
Hamah
Field of Work
R&D | Projects - Humanitarian/Disasters
Job Type
Project Based
Minimum Education Level
Bachelor/ License Degree
Responsibilities
The Aga Khan Foundation in Syria seeks to employ a Business Specialist- Work and Enterprise Program for its office in Salamieh.
The Business Specialist (BS) will work closely with cooperatives, businesses, and Common Interest Groups (CIGs) to strengthen their capacity, refine business models, and enhance their performance within targeted value chains, the BS will conduct comprehensive analyses, develop actionable business plans, and implement strategies aimed at improving productivity, profitability, and institutional sustainability. The incumbent will report directly to the Work and Enterprise Program Manager.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct in-depth market research and feasibility studies, including producer surveys, interviews, and data analysis to identify gaps in business models.
- Assist in creating detailed work plans and budgets for project activities, and deliver timely progress reports as requested by the Program Manager.
- Explore market linkages for cooperatives, enhance marketing strategies, strengthen relationships with inside and outside market players, and identify direct sales channels.
- Support cooperatives in transitioning to eco-friendly practices and initiatives in collaboration with environment and energy specialists, contributing to a green economy.
- Develop tailored business plans for cooperatives and CIGs with clear SMART goals, indicators, and milestones to improve operational efficiency and profitability.
- Build financial models and formats to guide cooperatives and businesses toward economic viability.
- Develop and maintain relationships with partners, experts, and stakeholders to support strategic decision-making for cooperatives and businesses.
- Engage with farmers, ranchers, and small business owners to identify and implement strategies for enhancing cooperation and collaboration.
- Assess and specify roles, responsibilities, and capacity-building needs of cooperative members across the business cycle.
- Design and deliver training programs, including materials, focused on cooperative and CIGs’ commercial models and best practices.
- Support the creation of effective cooperative bylaws in collaboration with government bodies, farmer organizations, and the private sector.
- Conduct a rapid review of regulations and laws to recommend optimal strategies for enhancing cooperative operations and accelerating their evolution into productive economic entities.
- Propose legal and operational frameworks enabling cooperatives to engage in private sector investments
- Develop risk management and mitigation strategies to safeguard cooperatives, businesses, and CIGs from potential business hazards.
- Collaborate with the M&E team to develop performance-monitoring frameworks with maturity indicators to evaluate cooperatives and CIGs.
- Assist in setting up clear Key Performance Indicators KPIs and track the progress of the cooperatives and CIGs.
The Business Specialist (BS) will work closely with cooperatives, businesses, and Common Interest Groups (CIGs) to strengthen their capacity, refine business models, and enhance their performance within targeted value chains, the BS will conduct comprehensive analyses, develop actionable business plans, and implement strategies aimed at improving productivity, profitability, and institutional sustainability. The incumbent will report directly to the Work and Enterprise Program Manager.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct in-depth market research and feasibility studies, including producer surveys, interviews, and data analysis to identify gaps in business models.
- Assist in creating detailed work plans and budgets for project activities, and deliver timely progress reports as requested by the Program Manager.
- Explore market linkages for cooperatives, enhance marketing strategies, strengthen relationships with inside and outside market players, and identify direct sales channels.
- Support cooperatives in transitioning to eco-friendly practices and initiatives in collaboration with environment and energy specialists, contributing to a green economy.
- Develop tailored business plans for cooperatives and CIGs with clear SMART goals, indicators, and milestones to improve operational efficiency and profitability.
- Build financial models and formats to guide cooperatives and businesses toward economic viability.
- Develop and maintain relationships with partners, experts, and stakeholders to support strategic decision-making for cooperatives and businesses.
- Engage with farmers, ranchers, and small business owners to identify and implement strategies for enhancing cooperation and collaboration.
- Assess and specify roles, responsibilities, and capacity-building needs of cooperative members across the business cycle.
- Design and deliver training programs, including materials, focused on cooperative and CIGs’ commercial models and best practices.
- Support the creation of effective cooperative bylaws in collaboration with government bodies, farmer organizations, and the private sector.
- Conduct a rapid review of regulations and laws to recommend optimal strategies for enhancing cooperative operations and accelerating their evolution into productive economic entities.
- Propose legal and operational frameworks enabling cooperatives to engage in private sector investments
- Develop risk management and mitigation strategies to safeguard cooperatives, businesses, and CIGs from potential business hazards.
- Collaborate with the M&E team to develop performance-monitoring frameworks with maturity indicators to evaluate cooperatives and CIGs.
- Assist in setting up clear Key Performance Indicators KPIs and track the progress of the cooperatives and CIGs.
Qualifications
- The applicant must have a university degree in Business Administration, Economics, and Development Studies, a Master’s degree in the aforementioned fields is an advantage.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in business development, cooperative management, or a related field.
- Strong experience in market research, financial analysis, and business planning.
- Knowledge of the agricultural value chains and cooperative models in developing economies, in Syria contexts.
- Proven ability to engage and build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government entities, private sector actors, and community organizations.
- Expertise in designing and implementing capacity-building programs.
- Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in English and Arabic is highly desirable.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in business development, cooperative management, or a related field.
- Strong experience in market research, financial analysis, and business planning.
- Knowledge of the agricultural value chains and cooperative models in developing economies, in Syria contexts.
- Proven ability to engage and build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government entities, private sector actors, and community organizations.
- Expertise in designing and implementing capacity-building programs.
- Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in English and Arabic is highly desirable.
Specific Vacancy Requirements
Deadline for applications submission is Monday February 3rd, 2025.
Salary and Benefits
According to the Aga Khan Foundation Salary Scale
Health and Life Insurance
Health and Life Insurance
About us
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) is a group of development agencies with mandates that include the environment, health, education, architecture, culture, microfinance, rural development, disaster reduction, and the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalization of historic cities. AKDN agencies conduct their programmes without regard to faith, origin or gender.
Safeguarding Commitments:
AKF is committed to maintaining the highest standard of ethical behaviour among its staff, representatives, and partners to make sure of do no harm of the beneficiaries and whom they deal with. In line with this commitment; the selected Trainer must adhere to the AKF Code of Conduct and the relevant Safeguarding policies
Safeguarding Commitments:
AKF is committed to maintaining the highest standard of ethical behaviour among its staff, representatives, and partners to make sure of do no harm of the beneficiaries and whom they deal with. In line with this commitment; the selected Trainer must adhere to the AKF Code of Conduct and the relevant Safeguarding policies
Required employees number
1
Posted On
Jan 20, 2025
Expiry Date
Feb 19, 2025
CV Language
English