Project Assistant – Enterprise Development at RefuSHE

Summary Profile  


The Project Assistant- Enterprise Development will support refugee, vulnerable host young women entrepreneurs and persons with disabilities to strengthen and grow existing micro and small enterprises through practical business management training, mentorship, market linkages, and enterprise coaching.   


Job Purpose  


The Project Assistant- Enterprise Development will lead the implementation of the Gender and Entrepreneurship Together (GET Ahead) approach and IYB trainings to strengthen entrepreneurship, employability, and business management skills among refugee, and vulnerable young women and persons with disabilities. The role focuses on promoting women's economic empowerment through gender-responsive entrepreneurship training, mentorship, coaching, and market linkages.  
The role will support the implementation of business improvement and enterprise strengthening interventions for entrepreneurs who already operate small businesses or income-generating activities. The officer will focus on improving profitability, productivity, financial management, customer retention, operational efficiency, and sustainability of participant businesses.  
This role specifically targets existing entrepreneurs and enterprises that require structured support to improve business performance and growth potential.  


Key Responsibilities  

GET Ahead Training   


Coordinate implementation of the GET Ahead entrepreneurship curriculum and related livelihood activities.   
Facilitate training sessions on:   
Gender and entrepreneurship   
Business planning   
Marketing and customer relations   
Financial literacy and budgeting   
Production and service management   
Business networking and leadership   
Self-management and entrepreneurial mindset   
Adapt training content to refugee and host young women contexts while maintaining fidelity to the GET Ahead methodology.   
Organize business incubation activities, mentorship forums, and exposure visits.   
Support participants to develop practical business plans and income-generating initiatives.   
Conduct follow-up coaching and enterprise monitoring for program participants.  


IYB Training and Facilitation  


Plan and facilitate Improve Your Business (IYB) training sessions for refugee and host community entrepreneurs.   
Deliver practical training modules on:   
Business improvement strategies   
Record keeping and bookkeeping   
Cash flow management   
Pricing and costing   
Marketing and customer care   
Stock and inventory management   
Business planning and goal setting   
Productivity and operational efficiency   
Risk management and business resilience   
Financial literacy and savings practices   
Conduct practical business case studies, simulations, and enterprise assessments.   
Support participants to develop business improvement action plans.   
Facilitate peer learning, business clinics, and group coaching sessions.   


Enterprise Coaching and Mentorship  


Conduct regular business follow-up visits and mentorship sessions.   
Assess enterprise performance and identify business growth opportunities.   
Support entrepreneurs to improve business systems, profitability, and customer retention.   
Provide individualized coaching to entrepreneurs facing operational challenges.   
Support participants to strengthen business records and financial management practices.   
Assist entrepreneurs to identify and access new markets and supply chains.   


Business Performance Monitoring  


Track business growth indicators including:   
Sales performance   
Profitability   
Customer growth   
Savings practices   
Inventory management   
Business sustainability   
Maintain updated participant and enterprise performance records.   
Document success stories, lessons learned, and case studies.   
Prepare training reports, field visit reports, and donor updates.   
Support monitoring and evaluation activities for livelihoods and enterprise programming.   


Market Linkages and Business Networking  


Facilitate linkages between entrepreneurs and:   
Local markets   
Suppliers   
Savings and credit groups   
Financial institutions   
Business associations   
Mastercraft support services   
Organize networking forums, business exhibitions, and mentorship engagements.   
Promote entrepreneurship ecosystems that support refugee women-owned enterprises.   


Community Engagement and Participant Support  


Mobilize and support eligible participants for IYB interventions.   
Coordinate with protection, case management, and psychosocial teams to support vulnerable participants.   
Promote inclusive, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered approaches during training and coaching activities.   
Encourage peer support and collaborative learning among entrepreneurs.   


Safeguarding and Compliance  


Ensure adherence to RefuSHE safeguarding, child protection, PSEA, and code of conduct policies.   
Promote safe participation and confidentiality during program implementation.   
Uphold ethical and professional standards in all interactions with participants and stakeholders.   


Qualifications and Experience  

Education  


Minimum Diploma in business administration, Entrepreneurship, Economics commerce, Community Development, Development Studies, Project Management, Or related field.  
ILO/SIYB Training Certification is desirable  


Experience  


Minimum 2-3 years of experience in enterprise development, business coaching, or entrepreneurship training.   
Experience supporting micro and small enterprises (MSMEs) and women-led businesses.   
Experience facilitating GET Ahead, IYB, SIYB, or similar business improvement methodologies is highly desirable.   
Experience working with refugees, youth, women, persons with disabilities, or vulnerable communities is an added advantage.   


Required Skills and Competencies  


Strong business coaching and mentorship skills.   
Excellent facilitation and adult learning skills.   
Strong understanding of small business operations and enterprise growth.   
Knowledge of bookkeeping, costing, marketing, and business management.   
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.   
Ability to assess business performance and identify growth strategies.   
Excellent report writing and documentation skills.   
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.   
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.   
Fluency in English and Swahili; additional refugee community languages are an advantage.