Entrepreneurship Development Specialist (Fixed Term Contract) Mr Price Group at Mr Price Group

Job Description

• The ED Specialist will be instrumental in building the core entrepreneurship offering from Mr Price Foundation and positioning it within the South African entrepreneurial ecosystem. This dynamic role offers a unique opportunity to drive both operational excellence and strategic programme design within the broader team. 

Responsibilities

Programme Development: 

• Design and develop innovative entrepreneurial programmes tailored to the needs and aspirations of South African youth, particularly in the township and rural areas.

Portfolio Management: 

• Cultivate and maintain a strong relationship with the entrepreneurs in the programme, assisting with their growth strategies and value add plans. 

Post Investment Support: 

• Establish ways to empower the entrepreneurs beyond the programme participation period by providing access to funding, markets, and other business development support opportunities.

Ecosystem Development: 

• Create and nurture an ecosystem of business development support and funding to enable aspiring youth entrepreneurs to thrive. This includes establishing meaningful partnerships with incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces, financial institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to provide comprehensive support to startups and MSMEs.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Building: 

• Identify and establish partnerships with relevant stakeholders including government agencies, educational institutions, businesses, and NGOs to enhance the reach and impact of our entrepreneurial programmes. Represent the Foundation at relevant conferences, workshops, and events related to youth entrepreneurship development in South Africa, advocating for our programmes and their impact.

Pre-Investment Support and Community Engagement: 

• Lead the recruitment and engagement efforts to attract a diverse cohort of young entrepreneurs to participate in our programmes, ensuring inclusivity and representation from marginalized communities.

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building: 

• Oversee the delivery of high-quality business development support and capacity-building interventions to equip young entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to build and growth their businesses.

Mentorship and Coaching: 

• Coordinate mentorship and coaching support for programme entrepreneurs, matching them with experienced subject matter experts who can provide guidance and advice.

Monitoring and Evaluation: 

• Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks, in partnership with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, to assess the impact and effectiveness of our entrepreneurial programmes, continuously iterating and improving based on feedback and data. Continuously research and stay informed on best practices in youth entrepreneurship, identifying new approaches and tools to integrate into our programmes.

Resource Mobilisation: 

• Work closely with the fundraising team to secure funding and resources for the expansion and sustainability of our youth entrepreneurship initiatives.

Communication and Reporting: 

• Prepare regular and ad-hoc programme performance and impact reports, presentations, and briefings for internal and external stakeholders, including Mr Price Foundation’s leadership, Board of Directors, donors, and other key partners. Communicate updates and insights in a clear, concise, and compelling profiles of entrepreneurs’ success.

Manage Programme Budget: 

• Develop and oversee the approved budget allocation for entrepreneurship development programmes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Entrepreneurship, Development Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in programme management, preferably in the field of youth entrepreneurship or economic development.
• The ideal candidate will have a strong background in entrepreneurship, program implementation, and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing startups and micro, small and medium businesses (MSMEs), particularly in the South African context.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing successful entrepreneurial programmes, particularly in low-income communities.
• Strong understanding of the South African entrepreneurial ecosystem, including regulatory frameworks, funding mechanisms, and support services available to entrepreneurs.
• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Creative thinker with a passion for innovation and a commitment to social impact.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools.