Business Development Specialist

Job Title: Business Development Specialist Description: An opportunity has arisen for a Business Development Specialist to be part of a Non-profit organization based in the Niger Delta, which is into Democracy and Good Governance, Human Security and Community Development. The organization is presently, implementing a 5 year project entitled: Livelihood and good Governance, which is being funded by Oxfam Novib, Netherlands. Job Summary: The purpose of Business Development Specialist is to give strategic guidance in providing ongoing business development support to project beneficiaries. The potential BDS person should be comfortable travelling on water or should have experience working in riverine communities. Primary Responsibilities: Investigate the economic conditions surrounding small business activity such as industry trends and competition. • Conduct extensive market research prior to start up -businesses and continue gathering information throughout the life of the business. • Good understanding of cooperative formation operations and processes and facilitate microcredit linkages • Provide market access and link cooperatives to viable market opportunities • Carry out regular visits to the communities to provide on the ground support, monitor performance of the various businesses, design need based training and orientation from time to time for project beneficiaries, constantly research, provide information and access to high yielding seedlings, raw materials to project beneficiaries. Qualifications and Experience * Minimum a Master's degree in Economics, Business Administration, Agric Economics or related field; * At least 5 years experience in community economic development, micro credit , capacity development, women groups and Agro businesses; * Program/project management skills; * Networking and partnership development; Familiarity with Monitoring and Evaluation and Microsoft application is an added advantage.