Programme Officer Entrepreneurship Catalyst at AUDA - NEPAD

Required Skills and Competencies

• Ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues.
• Good analytical, planning, and organisational skills.
• Good project cycle management, operational, and organisational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to support MSMEs in improving their business models, accessing finance, and enhancing market competitiveness.
• Proven experience in business incubation, acceleration, or MSME development, with a focus on capacity-building and scaling enterprises.
• Strong ability to cultivate partnerships with financial institutions, investors, and other key stakeholders to support MSMEs.
• Experience in connecting MSMEs with new markets and business opportunities through networks and partnerships.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and coordinate resources effectively across teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including MSME owners, financial institutions, development partners, and government entities.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals.
• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, and approaches relevant to Africa’s development priorities and goals.
• Team player, able to deliver outputs for which one has responsibility within the prescribed time, cost, and quality standards.

Education and Experience:

• Candidates must have a Master’s degree in business administration, economics, entrepreneurship, or a related field with at least two (2) years of experience in business incubation, acceleration, or MSME development, ideally within an African context, within public sector institutions or similar organizations nationally, regionally and/or internationally.
• Familiarity with the African development landscape, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, technology, or industrialisation, is desirable.
• Experience working with donor-funded projects and reporting to institutions such as the African Union, African Development Bank, JICA, USAID, or other development partners is advantageous.

Or

• A Bachelor’s Degree in the above fields plus four (4) years of work experience in business incubation, acceleration, or MSME development, ideally within an African context, within public sector institutions or similar organizations nationally, regionally, and/or internationally.
• Familiarity with the African development landscape, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, technology, or industrialisation, is desirable.
• Experience working with donor-funded projects and reporting to institutions such as the African Union, African Development Bank, JICA, USAID, or other development partners is advantageous.