Programme Summary
Enterprise Partners (EP) is a wealth-creation programme, which aims to stimulate investment in private enterprise in order to create jobs and increase household incomes for the poor. As the country grows towards middle-income status (targeted for 2025), EPs’ emphasis is to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of three priority Agro-Industrial sectors (Cotton-Textiles-Apparel; Livestock-Leather, and; Horticulture) and to facilitate improvement in the performance of the financial sector. EP, critically, works towards a growth that is inclusive of women and the environment. For more information, please go to www.enterpriseartners.org
Role ObjectiveAs IM, s/he will identify and then analyse selected markets within the leather sector to spot opportunities and will work with businesses that could have a genuine interest to serve those markets. An IM needs to understand the ‘big picture’ of the markets within the leather sector to determine market constraints, and in partnership, develop bankable and sustainable solutions/interventions that increase productivity and sales (both domestic and export), create jobs and increase incomes for the labour force.
What you’ll do:
• Develop facilitation strategy;
• Evaluate strategic and partnership opportunities, performing a broad range of quantitative and qualitative analyses;
• Work with both internal teams and external stakeholders to drive partnerships and influence facilitation roadmaps;
• Lead contract negotiations to establish a strong working partnership grounded on sustainable economics for both parties;
• Drive and build the partner network by prospecting, qualifying and closing new partnerships;
• Develop strong relationships with key partners that fit into our go-to-market strategy; and
• Support the facilitation process from inception to relationship building, due diligence, all the way through post-contract signing and management;
Specific Responsibilities, how you will do it,
1. Analysis and problem-solving: Gather data and information, either primary or secondary, to understand and diagnose opportunities and constraints within the leather sector.
2. Business development: Analysing market/industry constraints, crafting strategy and facilitation to address biding market/industry constraints and cultivating the necessary relationships with stakeholders and implementers to solve or mitigate those constraints.
3. Reporting and presentation: Prepare and present strategy documents and intervention plans internally. Pitch opportunities to businesses and stakeholders externally. Specifically, IM is responsible in the development of concept note, intervention guideline as well as management of the project itself.
4. Business planning: Develop bankable business plans to convince internal management and external partners to invest.
5. Project and results management: Working with the identified intervention partners, facilitate and track implementation to assess and communicate results for further decision-making and improved performance.
6. Program and Relationship Management. Manage existing facilitation programs. Manage the relationship with implementers of these programs.
Desired Competencies
· Proven track record of building and executing partnerships
· Strong use of insights and data-driven decision making
· Start-up hustle and passion for our mission
· Extremely proactive, self-starter mentality with strong organizational skills
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to identify and provide comprehensive solutions for varying partner needs
· Ability to thrive under pressure in an unstructured, fast-paced environment
· Ability to build solid relationships with teammates, business partners and specialists by fostering teamwork, partnership and collaboration
· Displays passion, commitment and drive to deliver an experience that improves our customers financial lives;
· Demonstrates initiative, a commitment to continuous learning, and the ability to adapt to changing demands and requirements;
· Applies strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to meet the need of our clients;
· Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple responsibilities, prioritize and delegate while delivering results;
· Strong communication skills (including verbal, non-verbal, written and presentation) and active listening skills;
The IM is entrepreneurial, creative, analytical, a team-player, a good listener and thoughtful communicator, able to lead others, has a strong interest in business, enjoys local travelling, understands the big picture but can also work-out the details, is highly motivated, systematic and methodical and, above all, has a great curiosity for how to make things better, especially to economically empower women.
EP does not expect to find all of these competencies in a candidate from day-one, but a subset of them from which to develop candidates whose professional aspirations match the requirements of a successful IM.
Minimum bachelor’s degree; MBA (or other masters) is an advantage.
3-5 years of experience in leather manufacturing, marketing, business and/or development role.
1-2 years of project management experience
Entrepreneurial or business-risk-taking experience is highly desired.
Strong experience working in or around the leather market and broader knowledge about manufacturing is an advantage.
Strong command of English and Amharic, preferable also other Ethiopian languages.