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Business mentoring and Coaching

Job Title: Business Mentoring and Coaching
Program: Strengthening the Socio-Economic Participation of Women (SEPOW)
Location: Kismayo – Jubaland State of Somalia
Duration: 10 Months
Reporting Line: Director General, MoCI
Administrative Supervision: ALIGHT
Application Deadline: 13^th September, 2025

1. Background

The SEPOW Project is aimed at strengthening the social and economic participation/inclusion to a total of 450 women headed households through a comprehensive Ultra-Poor Graduation approach. Output 3 of SEPOW project seeks to ensure the capacity of women-headed households in Kismayo generating their own income has improved. One of the core activities is to provide medium-term, regular business mentoring support for inculcating entrepreneurship knowledge, Attitude and practice among the ultra-poor women headed households. To achieve this, mentors will be recruited and organized to form an Association called Kismayo Young Business Mentors and Coaches, affiliated with the MoCI, operating from the ministry’s office in Kismayo.

ALIGHT in collaboration with the ministry will develop mentors training content and mentoring plans based on target women businesses and individual needs. Mentoring materials developed will be endorsed by the Ministry to be used as a guiding framework for mentoring of small business owners in Kismayo. This approach ensures sustainability since the association will continue offering mentoring services after the project’s exit.

2. Job Summary

The job involves providing 10 months of business mentoring and coaching to 450 ultra-poor women participants in the SEPOW project. The mentor’s main role is to help these entrepreneurs unlock business values, identify opportunities and focus on team building to grow their business. Mentors also evaluate business performance, provide technical advice and support the implementation of the action plans, ensuring participants are coachable and their business models are viable. The association will work in 3 groups of 5 individuals each.

3. Key Responsibilities                                                                                                                                                                                                       

      Provision of 10 months Business Mentorship and Coaching.

• Provide business mentorship to women participant to support their personal and provisional development during the training sessions and after.
• Encourage the participants to boost their confidence and skills by giving them constructive feedback.
• Should be able to identify challenges faced by the participants and guide them on how to overcome and deal with the challenges.
• Conduct coaching sessions teaching about relevant skills such as financial literacy, management skills, leadership skills etc.
• Evaluate the participants progress and adjust coaching strategies accordingly to fit their needs.
• Provision of sustained regular mentorship, support services and regularly monitoring their progress.
• Coach them on the importance of building strong relationship with customers from the start and treating them well will lead to customer retention.

     Support Local Market Linkages for the women owned new ventures.

• Through Mentoring team, the proposed programs shall equally facilitate linkages within local market systems where necessary. Facilitate connections with local buyers, suppliers, and service providers. Assist the participants to understand the importance of forming relationship within their ecosystem.
• Assist the beneficiaries in integrating new products into the market. Ways of introducing a new product into the market depending on its demands and existing gaps.
• Work in collaboration with the SEPOW staff team and the trainers during the project period.

       Business Development Planning.

• The mentors are expected to assist the business trainers and the Alight project staff during the business development process which will start 3 months into the business training sessions.
• Help the participants set realistic goals and develop plans to achieve their goals.
• The mentors will support the trainers and Alight staff during the business development process, to form and manage the group businesses.

      Promote Product Diversification.

• Business mentors and coaches shall ensure participants promote product diversification as a means of strengthening their long-term prospects and resilience to shocks.
• Encourage and guide the beneficiaries to develop a secondary income-generating plan linked to investment through borrowing from own savings and credit groups.
• Support the SEPOW beneficiaries in identifying diversified livelihood opportunities based on market demand, risk level, and individual/group preferences.

4. Duration and Commitment

• Duration: 10 months of continuous mentoring and coaching.
• Scope: 450 ultra-poor women participants who later on will develop a business either in groups or individuals.

5. Expected Deliverables

• Improved business performance and sustainability of ultra-poor women-led businesses.
• Increased local market engagement of the participants to broaden their market reach and consumers.
• Continued mentoring and coaching of the participants for 10 months.
• Enhanced income generation through diversified income activities.

6. Reporting and Coordination

• The mentors will report directly to the Director General, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI).
• The mentors will work in close coordination with ALIGHT, GIZ SEPOW, and relevant MoCI departments.

7. Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate should have:

• A diploma in education, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in business development, SMEs support, coaching, or mentoring entrepreneurs.
• Must be a resident of Kismayo town and living in Kismayo.
• Must have a heart and passion for entrepreneurs that is benevolent, mission driven looks beyond themselves
• Remain empathetic and aware that startups are extremely hard work.

8. Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Capacity to build trust, motivate, and inspire entrepreneurs.
• Ability to assess business models and provide actionable, practical guidance.
• Fluency in Somali and English is required.

N.B: Though individuals may apply but preference will be given to a group of Self-organized interested team with a clear plan, motivation and strategy to establish strong sustainable association that demonstrates their business model structure and how they are motivated. Also, female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.

9. Application Process

Interested candidates should submit:

• An updated CV
• A cover letter outlining relevant experience and qualifications

Applications must be submitted to moci@jubalandstate.so no later than 13^th September 2025.