Business Support Expert

Welthungerhilfe (www.welthungerhilfe.de) is one of the large and respected private organisations in the field of development cooperation and humanitarian aid in Germany. It carries out projects in 39 countries and campaigns for fairer cooperation with developing countries. If you are prepared to dedicate yourself to carrying out projects under sometimes difficult conditions and you match the requirements set out below, we look forward to receiving your application for the position of

The position is to be filled as soon as possible, with an initial contract duration for 6 months. The place of work will be Sinjar, in Iraq (IQ). The position is paid according to SG6 (IQD 2,795,000) as Gross Salary.

 

The Business Support Expert will play a pivotal role in supporting the development of small agricultural enterprises and agribusinesses through business training, mentoring and coaching. The expert will provide technical support to beneficiaries in developing viable business plans, promoting financial literacy, and ensuring the successful implementation of small grants. The expert will also contribute to building the entrepreneurial capacities of farmers and Department of Agriculture staff, and help revitalize local agribusiness ecosystems in a comprehensive and climate-smart manner. 

 

1. Business Training and Curriculum Development

• Design and adapt simplified, gender-responsive, and inclusive business training materials aligned with value chain findings.

• Supervising the business skills training.

• Integrate modules on budgeting, cost estimation, marketing, customer service, sales, business planning, and HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment).

 

2. Coaching and Mentorship

• Provide individual and group coaching to farmers in developing business ideas aligned with selected value chains.

• Guide the preparation of simplified, feasible business plans including production, marketing, and financial components.

• Conduct mentorship sessions for selected grantees to support business startup and growth.

 

3. Support to Grant Process

• Support the evaluation of business plans and ensure they meet criteria for viability, innovation, market potential, and resilience.

• Participate in business pitch panels and provide feedback to applicants.

• Assist in developing individualized Bills of Quantities (BoQs) based on field assessments with beneficiaries.

 

4. Monitoring and Compliance

• Monitor grant implementation and ensure the alignment of spending with business plans.

• Review procurement and expenditure records submitted by beneficiaries.

• Work closely with field teams to ensure proper use of grants, asset tracking, and beneficiary compliance.

• Provide regular reports, success stories, and case studies highlighting impact and lessons learned.

• Contribute to M&E processes, including baseline and endline assessments relevant to business outcomes.

 

5. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Coordinate closely with DoA, community leaders, and local service providers.

• Coordinate with local chambers of commerce, cooperatives, and private sector actors to ensure business viability and sustainability.

• Support market linkage events and experience-sharing sessions among beneficiaries and local agri-business actors.

• Promote participation of women, youth, and PwDs in business activities.

Knowledge/ Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Entrepreneurship, or related field. A Master’s degree is a plus.

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in agri-business support, livelihoods, MSME development, or entrepreneurship programs in humanitarian or development contexts.

 Technical Skills: 

• Experience designing and delivering business training and coaching.

• Strong knowledge of value chain development and market systems.

• Familiarity with grant management and mentoring MSMEs.

• Ability to work with rural communities, including vulnerable groups.

• Language: Fluency in Arabic and Kurdish and very good command of English language are required.

 Soft Skills: 

• Strong facilitation and communication skills.

• Analytical thinking and business expertise.

• Commitment to gender equality and inclusion.

• Ability to work under pressure and in remote areas.

Please send your application via our online recruiting system (Please click here) by June 28, 2025. Please note that reviewing CVs will be on rolling basis. As such, WHH reserves the right to close the recruitment before the deadline of the advertisement. Therefore, early applications are advised.

 

Your contact person is (Azhy Abdulrahman). Welthungerhilfe is committed to fighting terrorism in all its activities. Accordingly, any applicant who is offered employment will be screened against lists of known and suspected terrorists.

 

*Welthungerhilfe values diversity and ensures an inclusive, non-discriminatory working environment. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community.