Entrepreneurship and Networks Advisor, Business

Job Title_: Entrepreneurship and Networks Advisor
- Project_: Business Egypt
- Reports to:_ Objective 1 Team Lead
- Location:_ Cairo, Egypt
- Period of performance:_ One year renewable
- **PROJECT BACKGROUND**

The Business Egypt Program is a five-year, USAID-funded program implemented by DAI. Business Egypt aims to substantially increase sales revenues and investments among Egyptian micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and, by so doing, create new job opportunities, especially for women and youth. The project will co-invest with an ecosystem of institutions—business service providers, business associations, supportive government institutions, and more—to offer new products and services enabling MSMEs to better meet market demand and increase their sales. Business Egypt’s proposed sectors are renewable energy, ICT, and 3 additional sectors TBD. The project will operate from offices in Cairo, Alexandria, and Minya/Assiut (TBD).

**2. POSITION DESCRIPTION**

To assist new MSMEs to start up and accelerate business and employment growth under Objective 1, Business Egypt team will need to strengthen the ecosystem to speed the growth of high-potential firms. Acceleration requires linkages to investors in early-stage firms, management expertise and coaching, and networks with anchor firm corporate mentors. Opportunities exist to help develop acceleration programs, expand into regions, and define new services. Incubators that support sector specific start-ups can be linked to promising value chains to infuse value chain businesses with innovation and digitization.

Building the vibrant, high-functioning, and competitive ecosystem of innovative enabling institutions envisioned by Business Egypt will require a facilitative approach that places local institutions and the private sector in the lead in developing sustainable, market-based services, products, and solutions for MSME growth.

The Entrepreneurship & Networks Advisor will work closely and report to Objective 1 Team Lead to design and implement interventions that:

- Use a facilitative ecosystem strengthening approach to respond to the needs of the private sector (anchor firms, MSMEs, start-ups) with new products and services
- Boost networks among women-focused ecosystem actors to improve youth and women’s access to mentors, finance, and information

The entrepreneurship & Networks Advisor will coordinate closely with the entrepreneurship Advisors in the regional offices (delta and upper Egypt) as well as other members of the project teams.

**3. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Oversee activities related to strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem, promoting innovation and growth of startups
- Serve as a technical resource to develop and implement a comprehensive entrepreneurship program under business Egypt with focus on women and youth & underserved areas
- Collaborate with the Youth Entrepreneurs Network (YEN) team to achieve the network vision and objectives
- Work closely with the entrepreneurship Advisors in the regional office to ensure objective 1’ results are executed as per the work plan and in timely manner
- Provide technical assistance and capacity building as needed to the Youth Entrepreneurs Network to expand its reach and effectiveness
- Act as the focal point between the 2 regional entrepreneurship Advisors and YEN in designing, coordinating, and implementing activities
- Foster relationships and linkages among anchor firms and ecosystem stakeholders through pilot initiatives and testing solutions.
- Manage short-term project staff in relevant activities and oversee development of needed products (reports, materials, tools)
- Contribute to all written project deliverables as required (input into the workplan, routine project reports, special studies, inputs to USAID reports, etc.)
- Coordinate effectively with the other team members, cross cutting teams and Objective Leads to optimize the impact of Business Egypt results.

**4. QUALIFICATIONS**
- Demonstrated experience in working with women and youth networks on the area of entrepreneurship and MSMEs;
- Comprehensive knowledge of the entrepreneurship ecosystem, its players, challenges, and opportunities;
- Excellent communication, and analytical skills;
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills;
- Excellent writing ability, fluency in English and Arabic;
- The ability to work efficiently, resolve work issues, have strong organizational skills;
- The ability to manage different levels of stakeholders and partners;
- A minimum of 9 years of experience including 6 years in similar roles;
- Cultivate a teamwork, business integrity and positive work spirit;
- Mobility to travel and manage activities throughout Egypt.

**Application instructions**: