JOB SUMMARY 

The Business Coach will be responsible for delivering hands-on enterprise development support to young women and men  participants engaged in livestock and agri-related value chains. Using both the REAP Graduation Model and a Market Systems Development approach, the Business Coach will lead in participant targeting and selection,  training, business mentorship and coaching, grant management, group savings and loaning linkages to markets and financial institutions to enable participants build viable, scalable, and resilient enterprises. He/She will work closely with consortium partners and technical experts for participants to access technical skills and support required in growing their businesses.

This role is highly field-based and requires strong technical understanding of livestock/agri-business, financial inclusion, value chain development, private sector engagement, and youth-focused coaching.

The Business Coach will ensure participants acquire the practical knowledge, resources, and linkages needed to access markets, increase incomes, and sustainably grow their enterprises.

Key Responsibilities

Participant Selection, Training & Enterprise Coaching

• Lead participant identification and onboarding using program selection criteria
• Collaborate with training teams to customize curriculum based on market demand and participant needs
• Deliver structured business training using the REAP model, integrating climate action and gender-responsive approaches
• Conduct enterprise assessments and develop tailored coaching plans
• Support participants to establish, grow, and manage livestock and agri-enterprises
• Promote adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices

Market Systems & Value Chain Development

• Conduct value chain and market systems analyses
• Build linkages with:
  • Off-takers
  • Processors
  • Traders
  • Aggregators
  • Financial institutions
  • Input providers
• Promote inclusive, youth- and women-friendly business models
• Establish aggregation initiatives with cooperatives, producer groups, private sector, and county governments

Business Development Services & Financial Inclusion

• Support participants in:
  • Business modeling
  • Financial planning
  • Costing and cashflow management
• Strengthen access to:
  • Savings and loans
  • Digital finance
  • Insurance
  • Grants and government funds
• Lead formation and strengthening of VSLAs (Village Savings and Loan Associations)
• Guide participants in developing business plans and applying for Challenge Fund grants
• Monitor effective utilization of grant funds

Technical Assistance & Capacity Building

• Ensure quality program delivery within scope, time, and budget
• Deliver training on:
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Marketing and sales
  • Livestock and agri-enterprise management
  • Business growth strategies
• Facilitate monthly mentorship sessions
• Collaborate with:
  • County governments
  • TVET institutions
  • Research institutions
  • Private sector actors

Monitoring, Learning & Reporting

• Collect high-quality data aligned with M&E protocols
• Maintain business and VSLA KPIs
• Use digital tools (tablets, digital forms, Salesforce) for data capture
• Participate in review meetings and provide insights
• Document success stories, lessons learned, and market insights
• Maintain assigned tools (motorcycles, tablets, etc.)

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Academic Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in:
  • Business
  • Agribusiness
  • Agriculture
  • Livestock Production
  • Economics
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Rural Development
  • Or a related field

Experience

• 3–5 years’ experience in:
  • Livestock and agri-value chain development (preferably in ASALs)
  • Business coaching / MSME support / BDS
  • Market Systems Development (MSD/M4P)
• Experience working with:
  • Youth and women
  • Refugees
  • Pastoralist and agro-pastoral communities
• Proven ability to build market and financial linkages

Additional Competencies

• Strong coaching and mentorship skills
• Understanding of:
  • Market dynamics
  • Enterprise growth strategies
  • Financial literacy
• Experience in data collection and analysis
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Conflict resolution ability
• Valid A1/A2 motorcycle riding license
• Basic digital literacy (MS Office, mobile data tools; Salesforce is an advantage)
• Ability to work independently in remote field environments
• Must be a resident of the selected county and speak a local language

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