Business Support Expert - Kirkuk

Overview

Provide strategic technical leadership and implementation support for sustainable employment project in Kirkuk.

You have:

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, economics, or other related fields.
• At least 5 years’ experience in delivering entrepreneurship support, coaching, and mentoring.
• Proven experience in implementing at least 3 projects related to business skills development, entrepreneurship, business planning, budgeting, marketing, and other related fields.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in business development, entrepreneurship support, or agribusiness management.
• Fluency in Arabic (spoken and written).
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written).
• Willingness to travel frequently within Kirkuk Governorate, including rural and field locations. (Up to 80% of the time)
• Ability to work in a multicultural and occasionally high-pressure environment.

With 75 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

Local - Fixed Term Employee (Fixed Term)Job Description:

Job Purpose:

The Business Support Expert will provide strategic technical leadership and implementation support for the project “Sustainable Employment Opportunities Through Support to Agriculture and Agri-Businesses” in Kirkuk Governorate, Iraq. This role focuses on enhancing the capacity of local farmers and agri-entrepreneurs through targeted business development support, coaching, mentoring, and small grants management.

The expert will lead the design and delivery of business development training programs, facilitate access to coaching and mentoring, and support beneficiaries in developing viable business plans. In addition, the role involves managing small grants to stimulate sustainable agri-business growth.

The position requires close coordination with local stakeholders, including the Department of Agriculture (DoA), local NGOs, and UN agencies, to ensure alignment, knowledge sharing, and sustainability. The expert will also contribute to monitoring and evaluation processes, ensuring that good practices and lessons learned are documented and integrated into ongoing programming.

Key Responsibilities :

• Lead the design design and deliver business development training programs for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.
• Provide technical support in business development planning, coaching, and mentoring for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.
• Support the implementation of small grants and ensure proper use and reporting.
• Implement project activities in accordance with the project guidelines and targets and work closely with the other partners and coordinator to mitigate the project management and implementation challenges faced, carry out the daily field activities including but not limited to household assessment supervision, beneficiary selection, FGDs with communities, vendor selection and contracting, etc.
• Coordinate with stakeholders, including DoA, NGOs, and local authorities.
• Monitor and evaluate training and project activities; document lessons learned and best practices. Based on the donor requirement, support project manager/coordinator to submit required donor report.
• Perform other duties as required

Knowledge , Skill and Experience

Required (Education, training, license, registration, and/or Certification)

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, economics, or other related fields.
• At least 5 years’ experience in delivering entrepreneurship support, coaching, and mentoring.
• Proven experience in implementing at least 3 projects related to business skills development, entrepreneurship, business planning, budgeting, marketing, and other related fields.

Required (Professional Experience)

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in business development, entrepreneurship support, or agribusiness management.
• Proven experience in implementing business development projects, including coaching, mentoring, and small grants management.
• Experience working with government institutions, NGOs, and international development agencies.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge and/or other Qualifications

• Experience in designing and delivering business development training programs.
• Familiarity with agribusiness management, entrepreneurship, and small grants management.
• Strong facilitation, coaching, and mentoring skills.
• Knowledge of local agricultural systems, market dynamics, and value chains in Iraq.
• Experience with donor-funded projects, particularly those funded by UN agencies or international NGOs.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in Arabic (spoken and written).
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written)

Required travel and/or work environment accommodations

• The position is based in Kirkuk.
• Willingness to travel frequently within Kirkuk Governorate, including rural and field locations. (Up to 80% of the time)
• Ability to work in a multicultural and occasionally high-pressure environment.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing project needs and field conditions.

Position’s physical requirements

• Ability to conduct field visits in rural/agricultural settings, which may involve walking on uneven terrain and exposure to outdoor conditions.
• Capacity to carry training materials and equipment as needed.
• No specific physical limitations, but reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local Applicants Only

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: wvi.org