Programme Manager Business Environment Development

Company Description

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner, rooted in the contexts and societies where we work.

We contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through effective programme delivery and influencing, with a central focus on transforming agri-food, energy, and water systems to enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all. We are one team of over 1,600 people, the vast majority coming from the more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia where we work.

SNV’s revenues (+/- €150M/ year) are based on project funding provided by a wide range of bilateral, multilateral, and private institutional funding partners.

Job Description

SNV is part of the EU/DG INTPA- funded Team Europe Initiative “Investing in Young Businesses in Africa” – Supporting Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development” (IYBA SEED). The partnership consists of implementing partners from France (Expertise France), Belgium (Enabel), Germany (GIZ) and Slovakia (Slovakaid), next to SNV representing The Netherlands. The geographic scope of the programme is on Benin, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa and Togo, with SNV assuming activities in Benin and Kenya. The project started on 1/1/2023 and has a duration of 4 years.

IYBA-SEED is part of the third Building Block of the Team Europe Initiative “Investing in Young Businesses in Africa (IYBA)”, supporting the ecosystem, with a special emphasis on women and young people. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to creating decent jobs for women and youth and resilient economies by strengthening entrepreneurship ecosystems in a number of sub-Saharan countries so that they can increase access to Business Development Services (both financial and non-financial) for SEED beneficiaries. SNV will lead the project’s activities in a component that addresses the business environment. This includes rules, regulations, and policies conducive to the creation and growth of SEED beneficiaries and strengthened public-private dialogue processes.

The Programme Manager Business Environment Development will work as component lead in the central Project Management Unit based in Brussels and will provide strategic and technical direction and practical oversight related to ‘business environment’ to the project overall and specifically towards project teams based in the target countries. Regular travel to country teams is part of the position.

Qualifications

• Lead the programme’s approach and deliverables for the business environment component
• Technical backstopping to Country Teams.
• Harmonisation of thematic approaches between target countries.
• Consolidation of Monitoring, Evaluation between countries on the business environment.
• Mapping of existing policies and regulations and of relevant stakeholders.
• Pooling of resources that can be mobilised by the countries (experts, reports, and relevant documentation).
• Support the project coordinator and PMU in a learning and knowledge agenda on business environment
• Building relationships, organising high level meetings between countries and transnational organisations.
• Coordinate with co-implementing agencies to select, prioritize and assign activities.
• Act as Liaison Officer towards SNV’s global office.

Requirements:

• Graduate degree (preferably post graduate) in Business Economics, Finance/investment promotion, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of relevant work experience – especially some years of experience in designing, managing and/or monitoring programmes related to improving the business environment for SMEs in developing context, in particular through public-private sector dialogue.
• Affinity with the private sector and understanding of investment constraints for SME development
• Excellent networking capacities with the private sector, entrepreneurship support organisations, policy makers, development finance institutions and education institutes
• Experience in working with European Commission in Brussels (INTPA) and/or EU delegations in the ACP countries.
• Experience in multi-country, demand-driven support projects in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Knowledge of budget development, budget management, project planning, M&E.
• Team player, strong facilitator and an excellent communicator and relationship builder in English. French Language is a strong advantage.
• Flexibility in frequent travel.

Additional Information

Contract Type: National contract

Contract Duration: 2 years

Start Date: 1st April 2023

Duty station: Brussels, Belgium

Travel : Regular visits to target countries

Working at SNV:

SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We provide a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts. For more information, please visit our website: www.snv.org

How to Apply

Please submit your application (CV and Cover letter) via Smart Recruiters before 31st January 2023 if you wish to be considered for this position. All information provided will be kept in the strictest confidence. We will revert to you as soon as we have reviewed your application.

We will require that you provide us with the full details of two people who are willing to act as a reference. We will not contact these references without your explicit permission.

Should SNV wish to proceed with your application, two interviews with a Selection Committee will take place.

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.