VACANCY Announcement
Enterprise Development Officer- Enterprises.
HLB Cezam, also called CEZAM, an independent member of HLB International, is a professional
services firm registered in Kenya in 2002. We provide quality and personalized service to local and
international organizations executing business in Kenya. At HLB Cezam, we have expertise providing
project management, external and internal audit services, management consultancy, tax advisory,
corporate reconstruction, corporate and personal finance and company secretarial services in
a wide range of industry sectors including public finance, financial and insurance
services, agribusiness, education, manufacturing, hospitality, investment, not-for-profit and
construction. HLB Cezam is currently implementing a five-year program funded by United States
African Development Foundation (USADF) that focuses on food security, renewable energy, women and
youth empowerment through entrepreneurship. HLB Cezam seeks to employ a qualified Enterprise
Development Officer (EDO) who will be responsible for leading the implementation of technical
assistance to various autonomous organizations funded by USADF, through below summarized
job description. Full details of the position are available on cezam-usadf.org.
Research and Development 40%
− Using a participatory development approach, work closely with applicants in
conducting market research, costing and selling prices of their products prior to funding to help
companies supported by USADF and community groups to remain profitable.
− Summarizes the various analyses in support of the project funding application and
makes recommendations on the viability of proposed projects. Specific analysis is: Financial,
Markets, Technology/Process and Environmental Impact
− Verifies all grant funding applicants’ disclosure and compliance with USADF grant
application requirements.
− In liaison with various CEZAM and USADF teams, supports applicants seeking
funding from USADF in preparing project plans including project implementation plans based on
careful analyses of technology choices, financial and human resources as well as markets
and environmental requirements
− Researches on, and provides USADF grantees with regular updates on the
regulatory requirements for their respective sector (s) for compliance with all applicable
regulatory bodies under the Government of Kenya
Project Management 40%
− Employing a facilitative and participatory approach, guides grantees to ensure the
accurate and timely submission of their disbursement requests, quarterly performance reports and
quarterly financial reports, including verification of information in the reports.
− Through a consultative and participatory approach, support grantees in designing,
writing, and producing high impact success stories using the Challenge Action Result (CAR) format,
leaflets, documentaries, brochures, as well as assisting CEZAM-USADF Program in developing
information for website to highlight CEZAM USADF Programs
− In liaison with the Program manager and various Program teams, manages and
produces content for CEZAM-USADF Program social media sites.
− Helps the CEZAM-USADF Youth Projects’ beneficiaries to develop analytical
skills to understand the operational environment, internal operations and the financial
condition of their enterprises
− In liaison with specific grantees, assists in the review and analysis of grantee
business plans and assessment of on-going projects’ financial performance and creates linkages for
grantees with potential lending/funding opportunities.
− in liaison with specific USADF funded grantees and the CEZAM /USADF teams, assists
in the updating of their Business Development Plans.
− Trains USADF grantees in the preparation of quarterly reports, monitors the
quality of reports, verifies their accuracy, and ensures that grantees maintain adequate
information to support their reports
− Assists in identifying mentors and capacity development providers that can support
grantees and the youth enrolled on the CEZAM Youth Entrepreneurship and Employability Program.
Projects Execution Monitoring and Evaluation 20%
− Reviews all grantees’ quarterly financial statements to assess progress
towards sustainability beyond grant funding, and suggests implementation plans and
performance targets, and makes recommendations for remediation as needed by respective grantees.
− Assists in the review and analysis of grantee business plans and assessment of
on-going projects’ financial performance under respective portfolio.
− In liaison with the program team, assists in projects sustainability strengthening
activities for all USADF Kenya grantees.
− In consultation with the Program Manager, regularly makes results-based site
visits to monitor and support respective portfolio or grantees,
documenting and sharing discussions openly and objectively with respective grantees and the Program
team.
mic/ Professional Skills
− An Undergraduate Degree in community development bias in Financial and
Market Analysis OR Business Development, Strategic Management/Business
Administration/Accounting/Economics/Entrepreneurship and a Post Graduate Diploma of the relevant
role.
− Proven experience in supporting and building capacity of African Startup, Growth
and Expansion stage Organizations and Enterprises.
Technical Skills
− 5-7 years of relevant work experience, with 2 – 3 years in a relevant mid-level
role for startups and Enterprise/Business Expansions, Business Communication/Accounting/Social
Entrepreneurship/Financial Management with strong Community Engagement experience, or other
related field.
− Knowledge of projects management practices including strong financial planning and
management skills.
− Demonstrated knowledge of and engagement with diverse funding and development
partners.
− Experience in working with and knowledge of funding requirements of various
development/funding partners including USADF, USAID etc.
− Knowledge of issues in the field of development, strategies, as well as
programming policies and procedures in international development co-operations.
− Qualifications/Experience in Agribusiness Youth Entrepreneurship Development,
Renewable Energy will be an added advantage.
− Ability to travel across all parts of Kenya at least 60% of the time.
Competencies
− Recognizes and embraces integrity, honesty, transparency and objectivity in all
dealings.
− Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, analytical, research, networking and
communication skills as well as the ability to work collaboratively to impart these skills to a
broad spectrum of colleagues and clients
− An effective and energetic team player, with the ability to work in a
multidisciplinary and multicultural environment.
− Holds oneself and others accountable for their actions and results.
− Strong self-starter, self-motivated, self-supervised and has high creativity
skills, with capacity to work independently, follow through strict deliverables and meet deadlines
ensuring to consult openly to resolve challenges in a timely manner.
− Sympathetic mentor and coach for upcoming enterprises and entrepreneurs that is
patient to help them grow their enterprises to the next level.
− Effective, Efficient and prompt problem solver.
− Uses information from a variety of sources, identifies immediate action needed to
address current issues, seizes opportunities to enhance performance and advance horizontal/vertical
goals.
− Works to provide services at the highest professional standards. Has relevant and
varied experience and keeps up to date with emerging trends and issues. Maintains professional
independence.
− Creatively and comfortably uses technology to solve problems and is able to train
others on the same.
− Comfortable delivering technical support virtually to upcoming and expanding
enterprises to achieve project objectives.
− Excellent knowledge of English including reading comprehension, and fluency in one
or more local languages.
The position is for an initial agreement of 7 months on a 5-year cooperative Agreement that is
renewed annually, in October in alignment with the CEZAM-USADF Program year. The engagement is
renewable based on performance and availability of funds. The role comes with a gross taxable pay
of between USD 1,500 and 1,900 (payable in USD) with principal health insurance cover and other
job related support benefits. For more information about HLB Cezam, visit our websites at
(www.hlbcezam.com and CEZAM – A CEZAM-USADF Program). Applications will be accepted up to March 07,
2024. Please submit your letter of motivation (maximum 1 page) with a detailed CV/resume showing
your suitability for the role. In the motivation letter, please state your current position,
current and expected remuneration, email, telephone contacts. Also please include the names and
full contact details of three referees on your CV. These documents should be emailed to
[email protected] Do not attach any additional documents at this point. Only Applications
labeled: Enterprise Development Officer-Enterprises will be filtered for review.
NOTE: CEZAM does not charge job application/processing fees. All interested candidates should
submit their applications to the above dresses.
How to apply
Applications will be accepted up to March 07, 2024. Please submit your letter of motivation (maximum 1 page) with a detailed CV/resume showing your suitability for the role. In the motivation letter, please state your current position, current and expected remuneration, email, telephone contacts. Also please include the names and full contact details of three referees on your CV. These documents should be emailed to
[email protected] Do not attach any additional documents at this point. Only Applications
labeled: Enterprise Development Officer-Enterprises will be filtered for review.