4 Bunisiness Coaches (National Position)
AVSI Foundation is an international NGO with headquarters in Italy, which has been active in Uganda since 1984. AVSI Foundation is a prominent provider of development and humanitarian assistance around the world and brings strong management and innovative strategies to programs in various sectors including; Health including disability and mental health, Food Security and Nutrition, Education including early childhood care and development, Protection including child protection, Livelihoods, Energy and Environment.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND: AVSI Foundation in partnership with the Cooperation and Development (C&D), is implementing a five-year (2023–Nov 2027) Vocational Education and Skilling Program (VESP) in Karamoja subregion with funding from the Embassy of Ireland. The program goal is to increase gainful employment of 3,500 vulnerable youth (50% female) aged 16-30 years from the rural communities of Karamoja. To achieve the overarching goal, the program has three objective areas;
• Increased youth’ social economic capacity
• Improved quality of skills training to youth
• Improved Technical Vocational Educational Training Environment
VESP skills youth in both formal and modular skills training through Vocational Training Institutes (VTIs), Civil Society Organizations (Cooperation & Development), and Private Sector Actors/Local Artisans in Karamoja sub region.
JOB PURPOSE:
AVSI Foundation is seeking to recruit suitably qualified personnel for the position of a Business Coach to be responsible for technical training and mentorship to the VESP project participants in the above sub counties of program implementation in Nakapiripirit.
Main tasks and responsibilities
• Participate in community mobilization and awareness creation for the VESP project using standard mobilization guidelines and tools;
• Participate in identification of participants for project’s support using a standard participant targeting process and tool;
• Attend various TOT trainings on different modules, and other meetings organized by AVSI Foundation;
• Cascade technical trainings to youth on various modules at the training centres and community and ensure their uptake and application of knowledge and skills by project participants;
• Mobilize participants (youth) and engage them into VSLA groups and monitor and support functionality of these group activities;
• Guide and support project participants/youth in purchase of startup kits and ensure proper utilization;
• Monitor project participants (youth) in their communities operating business and provide support in successful business management;
• Strengthen post training support activities to youth in the communities to ensure project success;
• Report on project participants progress and new challenges facing beneficiaries;
• Monitor the utilization of VESP project inputs in the communities by youth including involvement of participant households;
• Respond to the immediate queries raised by the communities as feasible;
• Participate in mapping of private sector actors/local artisans and monitor work-based learning delivered to youth;
• Conduct linkage for project participants/youth to market actors (financial service providers, input dealers, output buyers, and government programs) in their communities;
• Provide business coaching & mentorship to project participants to assist them improve their businesses and incomes;
• Participate in routine data collection related to activity progress;
• Prepare and submit monthly activity reports and other reports as requested;
• Participate in regular team meetings and provide activity progress updates.
Essential Requirements
• A diploma or Certificate in Agriculture, Social Sciences/Social Work/Public Administration, Development Studies, or related discipline is required.
• MUST be a resident of Namalu, Moruita, Loregae & Nakapiripirit Town Council in Nakapiripirit (Attach LC1 Letter).
• Experience in implementing agricultural extension services using the farmer field school (FFS) methodology is an added advantage.
• Experience delivering standard VSLA methodology is essential.
• Experience working with communities in Karamoja is desirable.
• Field experience in a similar position in development context will be an added advantage.
• English fluency with excellent oral and writing skills is required. Knowledge of Ngakarimojong language is a MUST.
Required skills and experiences
• Proven ability to coach, mentor and develop technical capacity of households to engage in viable economic activities.
• Flexibility to work both in a team and independently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reports.
• Cultural sensitivity, patience and flexibility.
*AVSI reserves the right to request information from previous employers regarding any disputes, safeguarding concerns, investigations, or disciplinary actions, and to require the candidate to provide criminal and civil records, for the purpose of assessing the worker’s professional suitability for roles involving contact with vulnerable individuals, including children and adults.*
** AVSI applies the principle of inclusiveness and non-discrimination in its selection process, ensuring equal opportunities regardless of sex, age, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, religious belief, disability, or belonging to protected classes.