Enterprise Development Specialist

Background

The PROTECT Project is a five-year USAID-funded project implemented by International Resources Group (IRG). The objective of PROTECT is to address dynamics in Tanzania that threaten biodiversity conservation and inhibit private sector-led growth in the natural resources sector. PROTECT focuses on achieving these objectives by implementing activities in four specific areas: 1) policy, research, and advocacy; 2) institutional strengthening; 3) nature-based economic strengthening; and 4) combat wildlife poaching and trafficking.

Objective

One of PROTECT’s long term objectives is to support the development, management, and marketing of conservation based enterprises. The project has a particular focus on supporting economic activities in and around Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), especially within the tourism value chain, with an emphasis on women and youth. PROTECT also supports national level apex organizations to improve the enabling environment for private sector investment in WMAs.

The PROTECT project requires the services of an Enterprise Development Specialist to lead activities under PROTECT Activity #3: Strengthened and diversified nature-based enterprises. These activities will eventually lead to a reduction in livelihood activities that threaten biodiversity, due to the presence of sustainable livelihood alternatives from tourism, and conservation related activities that provide tangible benefit to local communities.

Specific activities include:

1.   Identify and supervise studies and research, which will provide information, data, and evidence that will lead to national policies changes and attract private sectors investors to invest in WMAs.

2.   Identify studies and research that will lead to the development of effective models of rural community engagement in conservation based enterprises; and support the growth of conservation based enterprises, such as the development of environmentally friendly microenterprises (honey, coffee, other food commodities and handicrafts).

3.   Identify and establish scalable market linkages for local products and services in WMAs.

4.   Develop opportunities for WMAs to gain increased benefits from the tourism value chain.

5.   Explore and identify a range of commercial services programs in WMAs, such as concession arrangements between WMAs managers and services providers.

6.   Establish or improve the effectiveness of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) focused on increased access to credit and financing for the establishment of microenterprises in WMA communities.

7.   Identify livelihoods that encourage people to be sound stewards of their environmental assets and which strengthen the economic constituency for local conservation practices.

8.   Work to increase economic gains from WMA activities overall, with specific emphasis on increasing economic gains at the household level, and a focus on women and youth.

9.   Increase economic opportunities for revenue generation within targeted landscapes, appropriate management of those revenues to support landscape management, and distribution of benefits to people living within the landscape.

10.  Attract increased private sector investment in WMAs, by promoting communication and coordination among WMAs, AAC, potential investors and other partners.

11.  Improve the national policy environment for tourism in WMAs through support to national apex bodies such as AAC, TCT, HAT, and TATO.

12.  Contribute to monthly, quarterly, and annual progress reports.

13.  Provide technical leadership in the development and implementation of work plans, monitoring of project indicators, and overall planning and implementation of project activities.

14.  Supervise and manage consultants, subcontractors and/or grantees as required to implement technical activities.

15.  Complete any other duties/activities as directed by the Chief of Party in line with the Project’s objectives and the Employee’s abilities.

Reporting

The Enterprise Development Specialist will report to Chief of Party, and/or his/her designee.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

·         Master’s degree in relevant field, or Bachelor’s degree with significant work experience.

Work Experience:

Strong candidates will demonstrate proven and relevant work experience in Tanzania, and will have:

·         Minimum of 8 years technical experience in economic development policy, community development, community based tourism and economic growth programs.

·         Proven experience supporting the reduction of rural poverty through economic strengthening programs.

·         Proven experience in Public Private Partnerships (PPP), nature-based business plan development and marketing of community based enterprises.

·         Proven management experience with conservation based enterprise development projects, addressing tourism value chains, with strong ability to collaborate effectively with private sector, government entities, international donors, and other USG partners.

·         Demonstrated understanding of the linkages between conservation, tourism and conservation based enterprises.

·         Experience working on sustainable livelihoods, market linkages, value chains, tourism, and capacity building.

·         Fluency in English with strong report writing ability.

·         Experience engaging women and youth in economic enterprises is desirable.

·         Experience working on USAID or international donor projects is desirable.

Skills:             

• Excellent management, communication, and organizational skills.

• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to foster professional relationships.

• High standards of integrity, professionalism, and impartiality.

• Able to work independently and effectively in a team environment.

• Detail-oriented and highly organized, with a proactive approach.

• Ability to multi-task and work to meet tight deadlines.

• Ability to work as part of a multi-cultural team.

• Basic computer skills (word-processing, spreadsheets, and databases)