Community Lead – Enterprise Development (KITWE)

Volunteering Finance & Economy

Overview

Support and advise micro and small businesses through training and technical support to enhance economic resilience.

You have:

• Demonstrated commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision, and values.
• Sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age.
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty.
• Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office and web-based applications.
• Proven ability to deliver quality output working under tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Proven ability to conduct gender mainstreaming activities.
• Strong and proven research and analytical skills.
• Experience as a consultant and coach in the implementation of processes, continuous improvement, business management, and advisory services to micro and small businesses.
• Experience in at least two consultancies in the areas of retail commerce, sales, inventory, basic management, finance, and/or legal-commercial advice.
• Good knowledge of the dynamics of micro and small enterprises in Zambia.
• Successfully completed 'In Motion Training'.
• Any certification on value chain methodologies is a plus.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.

Contract

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Kitwe, situated at the heart of Zambia's Copperbelt, represents a powerful industrial base with a growing urban economy increasingly driven by a dynamic and entrepreneurial youth demographic. While historically rooted in mining, the city possesses a rising hospitality and service landscape, spearheaded by young innovators responding to the need for economic diversification. Beyond its traditional industrial core, Kitwe's economic fabric extends into pivotal sectors—including manufacturing, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and a rapidly expanding creative industry—where youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are playing an increasingly central role in reshaping the region's market.

The diversity of Kitwe’s visitors encompasses industrial business travellers, corporate delegates, and those interested in regional commerce and industrial heritage. To capitalize on these unique strengths while actively addressing youth economic empowerment, UNDP Zambia, in partnership with local authorities, are introducing sustainable business and tourism strategies designed to trigger positive ripple effects across the wider Copperbelt economy. By prioritizing capacity development for young entrepreneurs, this initiative ensures beneficial spillover effects that strengthen local value chains, create sustainable employment beyond the mining sector, and enhance the overall economic resilience of the next generation of business leaders.

The initiative aims to elevate Kitwe's status from a traditional mining town to a dynamic, multi-faceted regional destination, fuelled by the creative energy of its young population. A central focus is placed on diversifying current offerings by encouraging visitors to explore industrial heritage sites, youth-driven local arts, and emerging urban cultural hubs. This shifts the perception of Kitwe toward a standalone destination that showcases its industrial legacy alongside modern, youth-led innovations.

The primary objective of the project is to enhance Kitwe's economy by implementing the In Motion methodology, provided by UNDP Zambia, with a dedicated focus on youth-led MSME capacity development. This proven business-strengthening approach focuses intensely on providing direct mentorship, operational training, and strategic capability-building to young enterprise owners, to help them compete on larger markets and meet international standards.

The main objective of the assignment is to support and provide advice to micro and small businesses through group trainings and on-site individualized technical support facilitating the process of economic resilience, increasing competitiveness of the micro and small businesses, and improving their stability in the market by applying the “In Motion Methodology”.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Project Manager, the Community Lead – Enterprise Development will undertake the following tasks:

• Provide group trainings according to the "In Motion Methodology". • Provide on-site specialized technical assistance to Livingstone micro, small, and medium business owners following the programme methodology and templates. • Follow up on weekly Management Team meetings to provide updates on the status of methodology implementation. • Process surveyed information and prepare reports on the process status according to UNDP's specifications under the "In Motion Methodology". • In coordination with beneficiaries and the Management Team, support enterprise innovation and renovation through defining and delivering equipment. • Coordinate strategic marketing actions with the Graphic Designer, who is part of the Project Team.

• Demonstrated commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision, and values. • Sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age. • Highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty.

Functional Competencies: • Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office and web-based applications. • Proven ability to deliver quality output working under tight deadlines. • Excellent communication and facilitation skills. • Proven ability to conduct gender mainstreaming activities. • Strong and proven research and analytical skills.

• Experience as a consultant and coach in the implementation of processes, continuous improvement, business management, and advisory services to micro and small businesses. • Experience in at least two consultancies in the areas of retail commerce, sales, inventory, basic management, finance, and/or legal-commercial advice. • Good knowledge of the dynamics of micro and small enterprises in Zambia. • Successfully completed "In Motion Training". • Any certification on value chain methodologies is a plus. • Excellent writing and communication skills.

• PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DUTY STATION IS KITWE.

Zambia is a land-linked, resource-rich country with sparsely populated land in the centre of Southern Africa. It shares its border with eight countries (Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe) that serve as an expanded market for its goods.

Lusaka is the capital of the Republic of Zambia. The climate is sunny and temperate, but it can be very cold during few months, with freezing temperature at times especially during the night. It is therefore advisable to bring warm clothing and foresee using heaters and other heating options when necessary. As the commercial and cultural centre of Zambia, Lusaka has seen rapid development in recent decades, with reasonable transportation connections and widely spoken English making the city highly attractive to vacationers and experts alike. Unemployment and poverty are issues in the city, and beyond. Key industries for the region and Zambia as a whole, include mining, agriculture, and tourism. Like most Southern African cities, life in Lusaka will require some adjustments for a person moving from outside the region, but the potential rewards and opportunities for experiences are well worth the effort.

Lusaka hosts several international organisation and embassies/diplomatic missions, therefore there is a very large community of expatriates from around the world. Housing is most of the time readily available and of good standard options are available. Most foodstuffs, beverages, household goods, furniture, and clothing, mostly imported from South Africa, Europe, and China while some ranges of local brands are available at a competitive price to imports. Meat, fish, fresh fruits, and vegetables are reasonably priced and abundantly available.

The basic infrastructures roads, utilities, and telecommunications are of reasonable standard, although the city experiences power outages from time to time. Medical facilities are still largely inadequate, although several private clinics and hospitals provide reasonably good routine care. Several restaurants around the city serve local or international cuisine and there are numerous social and sports facilities (fitness, tennis, swimming, riding, golf, etc.) in the major hotels or in different establishments around the city. There are no major or special security concerns within Lusaka city limits. For more information, please visit http://zambiatourism.com.

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Potential interview questions

Added 13 days ago - Updated 8 hours ago - Source: unv.org