Business Development Manager

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY & RESPONSIBILITIES

Inkomoko is seeking an experienced Business Development Manager to lead the implementation of multi-year national and regional business development programs for youth and women-owned SMEs and start-ups. The businesses will be at different stages of growth, including idea stage, build stage, and growth stage, and in different business sectors.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT (50%)

● Program Design: Work with the program manager to customize Inkomoko’s existing entrepreneurship development curricula to meet the business needs of the entrepreneurs, this includes both offline and online programs. In addition, developing a strategy for program outreach and recruitment activities to ensure eligible clients are onboarded to the program to avoid program dropouts and attrition.

● Program Management and Implementation: Oversee the selection process of entrepreneurs, ensure quality service delivery to entrepreneurs, tools and resources for teams, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation. Moreover, ensuring the highest quality standards to data management and quality management procedures.

● Partnership Management: Maintain & Manage program funders and partners, identify and onboard contributors, such as facilitators, mentors, coaches, potential investors, and entrepreneurship hubs, who can provide personalized support to entrepreneurs

● Community Development: Lead networking among entrepreneurs such as pitch competitions and events, fostering peer-to-peer learning, collaboration, and cultural exchanges.

● Access to Markets: Collaborate with Inkomoko’s Market Linkages team to design and implement tailored access-to-markets roadmaps for businesses participating in the program. This may involve conducting market research, facilitating introductions to new markets, and connecting businesses with potential partners and stakeholders. In addition, supporting the market system development initiative of Inkomoko to integrate clients with sustainable markets and value chains.

● Investment Analysis: Work with Inkomoko’s investment team (Inkomoko Capital) to design and conduct investment due diligence processes.

● Coordinate with the M&E department to ensure measurements of client program participation, results, and satisfaction and incorporate the lessons into new products and solutions for impact and efficiency.

STAFF MANAGEMENT (40%)

● Manage a team of Business Development Advisors and Business Associates, ensuring their learning and growth and empowering them to provide high-quality services to entrepreneurs

● Work closely with the HR department to hire, train, assess performance, and manage time off and other HR matters to ensure the department meets its goals

● Address any disciplinary or poor performance issues, having hard conversations as needed.

● Serve on the organization’s leadership team as an active and engaged senior colleague.

● Other duties to support organizational culture and leadership

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION (10%):

● Collaborate with colleagues in other departments, including investment, communication, MEL, to ensure smooth program operations.

● Provide timely and regular reports on the progress of the different programs, both to internal and external stakeholders

● Work with the Programs Manager to plan and manage the budget, staffing, operations

● Work with the Finance Department to manage expenses and revenue

● Work with the IT team to ensure the technology meets local needs

● Coach staff to use digital reporting tools, maintain company admin standards

● Manage and oversee other office logistics, admin and ops related activities

● Report to senior management on operations, participate in company-wide protocols

Requirements

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for someone who;

● Leads Teams - Aligns the team with common objectives derived from the organizational strategy, fosters a shared mindset, and celebrates wins while recognizing team efforts.

● Builds Trust - Holds self and others accountable by clearly outlining responsibilities, tracking results, delegating effectively, building independence and demonstrating care for others, and being consistent in actions.

● Relationship Management - Establishes and maintains strong relationships with key stakeholders, partners, and community leaders, while anticipating and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders

The ideal candidate must demonstrate previous experience with:

● Implementing multi-year entrepreneurship programs for idea-stage, early-stage, and growth-stage businesses.

● Curating high-quality, online entrepreneurship programs for startup and SME founders located in different geographical locations.

● Working in a multicultural context, including diverse cultures, genders, countries, and educational backgrounds.

● Developing tailored entrepreneurship curriculums for businesses at different stages of growth, offline and online.

● Excellent communication in local languages spoken in the town in the region including but not limited to English, Amharic, etc…

● Excellent computer skills, especially with MS Excel, Word, and ERP, project management tools (i.e. Odoo, MS Dynamics, Asana, Trello, etc…)

● Experience using an online platform for learning

● Experience with project management and managing several projects simultaneously.

● Previous entrepreneurship experience would be an added advantage.

● Team management, leadership, and coordination

● Reside in Addis Ababa town

● 5+ years of managerial work experience supporting high-growth businesses in Africa, preferably in the Eastern African region.

● Investment analysis skills, with experience in conducting investment due diligence.

● Excellent presentation and training skills.

● Excellent leadership and management skills

● Excellent communication skills

● Passion for entrepreneurship.

● University degree in relevant fields

Benefits

WHAT YOU’LL GET

This role is inside a high-growth, mission-driven social enterprise. By joining, you’ll access:

● Competitive salary, and potential Goal-based bonus

● Incredible company culture, including deep investment in your learning and growth

● Diverse colleagues and policies that show our commitment to equity and inclusion

● Talented, passionate, and committed team colleagues across the region

● Ability to make a significant social impact to your community

● Generous health insurance, staff savings, parental leave, sabbatical, and more benefits.