Junior SME Training Developer

BiD Network is seeking new colleagues, a Senior and a Junior SME Training Developer. This advertisement refers to the position of the:

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^{About the BiD Network Foundation}

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, via a joint venture with BiDx B.V. , and its web platform www.bidnetwork.org; and secondly, via the Advisory Services team that advices and supports 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 46,000 members, 12,000 entrepreneurs, 1000 coaches and 673 businesses that have grown or started. With its network of 120 formal and angel investors BiD Network has mobilized USD 13 million to businesses over the last 4 years.

The Advisory Services team

In addition to the high added value web-tool, that selects and advises good quality entrepreneurs in all developing countries, BiD Network has an Advisory Services team that supports entrepreneurs via local SME financiers and service providers in 16 developing countries, 5 in Latin America, 6 in Africa and 5 in Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia. These local partners support entrepreneurs on their road to become “Ready for Finance.” Coaches are engaged and financiers ranging from Business Angels to banks are part of the networks we mobilize to make the start, growth and financing of SMEs possible.

BiD Network aims to grow its Business, Finance and Training services into a professional business consulting practice for SME service providers. The goal for Advisory Services is to become financially sustainable, relying on commitments from clients, governments or other funders. Most colleagues in this team are young, very proactive, entrepreneurial, strategically strong and pragmatic. The atmosphere is informal, social and result driven. The Advisory team is organized according to the types of Services we offer:

1. Business Services: are geared towards preparing entrepreneurs in need of finance, which includes helping entrepreneur to start and grow businesses. These services are delivered via SME service providers and intermediaries such as business incubators, business support centres, chambers of commerce, NGOs, government agencies who, in turn, will support their entrepreneur clients directly. Examples of services are the “Ready4 Finance” training 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: aim to influence the local financial markets, in order to improve the access to finance for SMEs in developing countries. This includes increasing the range of financial products and the number of financial actors in a 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; a “Ready2Invest” training package for novice local investors; Matchmaking services for investors and entrepreneurs; and the use of the web-platform to increase local investment in SMEs.

The Training services team was established in 2011 to support the delivery of training and advisory services to the different target groups of BiD network, the entrepreneurs, coaches, investors and SME intermediaries. The training services team (currently 1.5 fte and we planned 3 fte end 2012) has developed SME training materials and improved the training capability of the Advisory Services team. Materials cover business planning, financial planning, access to finance, presentation and negotiations skills, Training of Trainers and investor match making. In 2012 we plan to develop new trainings for coaches, investors and partner organisations. This will involve researching different methods, delivery mechanisms, licensing structures, formats, SME finance data sources, ways to protect the materials, and legal contractual procedures. Besides that in 2013, we aim to offer downloadable e-learning self-study packages for entrepreneurs at an affordable price.

Our Training Services team now has two full time vacancies, a Senior Training Developer and a Junior Training Developer. The team will perform the abovementioned tasks, improve the existing training materials and develop and pilot test new trainings for coaches, local trainers, investors and angel investor network managers. The team will create and market e-learning modules and train colleagues and partners in these new materials.

Responsibilities of the Junior Training Developer

• Develop training content for local SMEs, coaches, trainers and investors, based on the expertise of the BiD Network advisory team members.
• Professionalize the existing training materials, based on the feedback received, new didactical insights, and technological digital requirements regarding copyright protection.
• Design training materials in PowerPoint and Word, presentations, develop case studies, exercises, etc.
• Design a distribution and monitoring process, so that the training materials are adequately distributed to colleagues, partners, and local training bureaus and in the future via the internet to local entrepreneurs.

Qualifications

• Proactive, entrepreneurial, pragmatic and at ease in a pioneering organization.
• Basic knowledge of SME Business and Financial Planning in Developing Countries.
• Basic Knowledge of training design and adult learning.
• Relevant higher education.
• Able and willing to travel frequently to developing countries.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and in French or Spanish.
• Computer literate, preferably an advanced knowledge of PowerPoint or Adobe Acrobat Professional.
• Inspired by training content development, graphic design, distribution and digital copyright protection issues in PowerPoint, pdf and Word.

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 24^th of June. Specific questions can be asked to Fedde Potjer +31-20-7555011 or Cily Keizer +31-20-7555008 or can be submitted to jobs@bidnetwork.org. Interviews are planned for 26-29 June.

We do not accept applications from recruitment agencies.