SME Finance & Development Training Officer
BiD Network Foundation’s objective is to start, grow and finance small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. By 2020 BiD Network aims to start or grow 5 businesses every day. Today we are at two businesses a week.
BiD Network uses two strategies to achieve its goals. Firstly, its web platform www.bidnetwork.org; and secondly, advice and support to SME intermediaries in developing countries. Since the website was launched 7 years ago www.bidnetwork.org has grown to be the largest online community serving developing country entrepreneurs and investors. The web platform has 40,000 members, 10,000 entrepreneurs, 900 coaches and 490 businesses that have grown or started. With its network of 100 formal and angel investors BiD Network has mobilized USD 12 million to businesses over the last 4 years.
The second cornerstone in BiD Network’s support to SMEs is to advise and collaborate with SME intermediaries in 16 developing countries; 5 in Latin America, 6 in Africa, 5 in Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia. The term “Ready for Finance” is central to the support and advice given to these local partner organizations. Entrepreneurs are prepared for finance; voluntary coaches are engaged and financiers ranging from Business Angels and banks are part of the networks we mobilize to make the start, growth and financing of SMEs possible.
The Advisory Services team
BiD Network Foundation seeks a SME Finance & Development Training Officer Training Officer to strengthen the Advisory Services team.
Since 2010 BiD Network has developed its Advisory Services as a way to upscale direct support to entrepreneurs in developing countries. The services are geared towards SME service providers and SME financiers. BiD Network aims to grow its Business and Finance services into a professional business consulting practice for SME service providers. The goal is for Advisory Services to become financially sustainable, relying on commitments from clients, governments or other funders.
BiD Network distinguishes two types of Advisory Services:
1. Business Services: Are geared towards preparing entrepreneurs for finance. Be it finance from an investor or a bank. The advice provided will also help get an entrepreneur’s business started and growing. These services are delivered to SME service providers and intermediaries such as business incubators, business support centres, chambers of commerce, NGOs, government agencies. They in turn will deliver the services directly to their entrepreneur clients. Examples of services are the “Ready4 Finance” for trainers of trainers of entrepreneurs; training and engagement of coaches for entrepreneurs; the use of the www.bidnetwork.org web platform and organising competitions and matchmaking events for SMEs.
2. Finance Services: these services aim to grow the access to finance for SMEs in a developing country. This includes increasing the range of financial products and the number of financial actors in a developing country. The target group for these services are well-established SME service providers and SME financiers, like banks, business angels or investment funds that seek investable business proposals. Examples of services are: the establishment of Business Angel Networks; “Ready2Invest” training for novice local investors; Matchmaking services for investors and entrepreneurs; and the use of the web-platform to increase local investment in SMEs.
3. The BiD Lab (Product Development): This team develops training materials and improves the training capability of the two advisory services teams. Materials cover business planning, finance, investor match making, and presentation and negotiations skills. Research is done on methods, delivery mechanisms, licensing and formats as well as on trends, data and information related to SME finance. In 2012 this teams aims to be able to offer e-learning packages which can be downloaded by paying clients for self-study.
The SME Finance & Development Training Officer
As SME Finance & Development Training Officer is part of the BiD lab you will work under the guidance of a Lead Consultant in SME Finance & Development and work alongside the other Training Development Officer to further develop and roll out the trainings offered under Business and Financial Services. We foresee a substantial role for the SME Training Development Officers to develop new SME Finance trainings and transform existing Ready4Finance trainings into e-learning modules. As part of your function, you will be responsible for (or involved with) deploying trainings with SME service providers in Asia, Africa and Latin America, as well as for helping to train our staff in new materials. You will also be responsible for marketing and acquisition for the training programs and for assisting in developing procedures and guidelines for trainings.
The job
- Develop and deploy SME Business and Finance training materials for SME service providers and SME financiers in developing countries;
- Pilot test new materials in the regions;
- Assist in professionalization of training development within BiD Network;
- Assist with designing procedures to implement training projects and coordinate the services with the advisory team;
- Transform Ready4Finance materials into e-learning modules linked to www.bidnetwork.org;
- Capacitate BiD Network staff and International Partners on new trainings
- Work closely with the whole Advisory Services team to ensure smooth roll-out of training services.
Qualifications
- Significant experience with training of SME service providers and SME financiers preferably in developing countries;
- Knowledge of financial products suitable for SMEs
- Experience with developing e-learning materials;
- Background in business development and -experienced based learning methods;
- At least 3 years working experience in one or more of the above;
- Proven experience of developing a profitable service, marketing and acquisition;
- Is practical, able to think out of the box;
- Fluent in written and spoken English and French
- Able and willing to travel frequently to developing countries;
What we offer
A competitive salary. A one year contract, with the possibility of renewal. A young and dynamic working environment at our office in Amsterdam. A large network of partners. The chance to co-develop a pioneering service in the field of SME Business and Finance services for emerging markets.
Please submit your letter and CV to jobs@bidnetwork.org by 4th of March. Specific questions can be asked to Susan Randall or Cily Keizer +31-20-7555000 or can be submitted to jobs@bidnetwork.org
We do not accept applications from recruitment agencies.
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