Executive SME Development, Innovation and Acceleration(5 years fixed) – Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board

Executive SME Development, Innovation and Acceleration(5 years fixed) – Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board

 Primary Purpose

The Executive SME Development, Innovation and Acceleration is responsible for national co-ordination to create an enabling environment for the growth and sustainability of the SME sector. To develop and maintain sound business relationships with the SME sector players and to understand the needs and requirements of the sector.  Identify and maximize SME development opportunities and create sustainable business growth pipelines for SME’s.  Coordinate and stimulate SME funding and access opportunities.

Person Profile

Focuses on getting things done, ability to work effectively in team setting, drive tasks through effective working relationships with industry stakeholders and displays a positive approach and motivation.  Highly focused, able to identify key SME priorities and challenges and a passion to create new SME business opportunities and demonstrate innovation in meeting sector needs.  A proactive approach in in strengthening business relationships and ensure simple, secure and seamless SME experience.  Flexibility and an ability to adapt strategies and policies based on the latest sector insights.  Well- presented, business like and flexible to travel.  Demonstrable ability to influence others, facilitate open discussion and debate among key stakeholders and build relationships and partnerships.

Key Performance Areas

• Develop institutional mechanism and assume lead coordinating role across all levers for SME development nationally
• Support development of innovation across SMEs
• Engage SME’s and relevant organisations to identify opportunities for growth and ensure the provision of business advisory services.
• Implement national SME policies, strategies and standards that promote SME attractiveness.
• Facilitate the growth of enterprises and the diversification of business services and product offerings.
• Support and coordinate the implementation of the national SME development programs.
• Conduct gap analysis of the local procurement processes to ensure SME’s are able to participate in the local procurement value chain.
• Conduct market analyses to understand SME development needs and preferences
• Identify and analyse existing incubation and acceleration services and propose new incubation services.
• Share business prospects, opportunities and business development leads obtained through market analysis.
• Develop SME training and capacity building programs and technical assistance offerings including training of trainers.
• Capacity and needs assessment of existing service providers and develop mentorship networks
• Develop and design comprehensive toolkits, including specific modules for the greening of start-ups and SMEs.
• Capacity strengthening of new and existing incubators and accelerators in service provision, incubator/accelerator management, performance measurement of service recipients;
• Coordinate technical assistance, operational support, automation and mechanization of SME products and services.
• Oversee the creation and running of a Challenge Fund to support the testing of green and inclusive business models;
• Support in mobilisation of investment and access to finance for green start-ups and SMEs, including through international platforms;
• Forge partnerships with relevant stakeholders and actors (including incubators, accelerators, investors, corporates, academic institutions, sponsors, etc.) in the ecosystem;
• Awareness-raising on business and investment opportunities in the Green and Circular Economies, including the dissemination of business models and success stories.
• Implement the National MSME Policy of 2016 and initiate structural reforms of the sector.
• Engage the private and public sectors to facilitate and participate in the coaching, mentoring, incubating and accelerated growth of SMEs.
• Facilitate and coordinate access to funding and access to local and export markets.
• Monitor the impact of the SME development initiatives on the national socio-economic performance.
• Perform any other duties that might be unrelated but relevant to this job function as  assigned by the CEO

Education and Experience Required

The Executive SME Development, Innovation and Acceleration is required to hold a Master’s degree in Commerce, Economics or  Business, or public Administration Management with 7 to 10 year’s senior management experience in a related field of SME development, business management or business administration in a Small or medium organisation.  Demonstrable understanding and exposure to the challenges facing SME locally and, in the region, as well as direct experience with SME projects or project implementors.

Key Competencies and Knowledge

• Sound knowledge and experience of the SME sector
• Good negotiation, interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Good knowledge and experience of relationship building techniques
• Strategic planning ability and resource management skills.
• Good experience and knowledge of the local, regional and international SME business environment.
• Good understanding and experience with fundraising and coordination ability.
• Ability to maintain and update SME records in accordance sector guidelines.
• Ability to extract SME market data, trends and insights.
• Positive attitude and an ability to stay calm under pressure
• Excellent communication skills; verbal, written and presentation.
• Data analysis, interpretation and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to explain technical and complex issues to customers.
• Empathy and an ability to see things from others perspective

 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no documents will be returned.

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