Business Development Co-ordinator based in East Africa

As part of H2O Investment Partner’s East African agricultural program, we are currently developing several start-up agriculture sector businesses, focused on productivity of small holder farmers, access to market, and scaled value addition.

We currently have a need for a Business Development Co-ordinator based in East Africa to provide in-country, on-the-ground support to develop two of these new businesses. The initial work is a 9 month contract, with the possibility of a full time management position within one of the new businesses following the initial contract period.

What is the Job?

The Business Development Co-ordinator will provide in-country field support for commercial development of two start-up businesses, working closely with our NGO partner FIPS-Africa.

Job responsibilities will include:

• Carrying out on-the-ground data gathering to answer specific questions and support the generation of market feasibility studies relating to the two businesses;
• Working closely with our in country partners FIPS-Africa, other local organisations and agencies, expert consultants and small holder farmers;
• Overseeing various pilot programs being run to support the development of the businesses;
• Co-ordinating any in-country processes such as business establishment;
• Considerable travel mainly within Kenya and Tanzania as the activities require.

The Business Development Co-ordinator will report to two Investment Managers who are leading the development of the two start-ups.

The Investment Managers travel frequently to the region, but are based in the United Kingdom.

The Business Development Co-ordinator will therefore need to work without close supervision.

Most of the work can be expected to be in the field; however, office workspace will be available as required.

Who Are We Looking For?

You are educated to first degree level or higher in a relevant subject, and you have 3-5 years experience of working in the region.

You are a creative self-starter, who enjoys working autonomously and with considerable discretion to deliver high level outcomes. You must be willing and able to travel frequently in the region as the activities require.

You are an experienced pair of managerial hands, an excellent problem solver and trouble shooter, able to support the UK team to run a process to tight timescales and willing to identify and address problems promptly.

You will be comfortable working outdoors in the field to gather data, and working effectively with a range of people of different backgrounds, personalities and skill sets.

You will have a strong ability to communicate in written and spoken English, and a good grasp of Microsoft Office products. It is also desirable that you will be proficient Swahili.

Experience in business development is also highly desirable, but for candidates with demonstrable entrepreneurial potential the post will provide an opportunity to gain considerable exposure to the excitement and challenges of business creation.

What are the terms of employment?

• A 9 month, full time position to support business development, with potential for a longer term position within one of the emerging businesses
• Based in Nairobi, Kenya
• 9 month contract for 12,000 USD gross compensation, which is negotiable commensurate with experience
• Modest travel expenses as required for work in the field
• Start date: 1 April

Please respond with a CV and covering letter to antonia.cardew@h2ovp.com.

Closing date: please submit applications before 1 March 2012.

Who are H2O Venture Partners?

H2O Venture Partners (www.h2ovp.com) is an exciting, ground-breaking business in the field of social entrepreneurship and impact investment.

Based in Oxford, UK, but with activities in India and Africa, we style ourselves as ‘pre-business plan investors’ who then run a full, highly creative process of business development, including: identifying the lead market opportunities; developing the business model to unlock best value for the business in those markets; securing lead commercial and technical partnerships; recruiting key management ; capturing the whole in a coherent business plan with full financial forecasts; and raising the investment required to take the business through to profitability.

Increasingly we apply our skills to impact investment: creating sustainable, profitable enterprises benefiting the poor of developing countries. This work is supported by both private and public money, and includes a well-funded program for poverty alleviation through the development of agricultural enterprises in East Africa.