Company Profile

SNV Netherlands Development is a not-for-profit international development organization that has built a long-term local presence in 38 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin-America. SNV Ghana implements projects to improve individual lives and contributes to solving global challenges in the areas of Agriculture, Energy, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene. SNV’s implementation approach focuses on developing innovative solutions to alleviate poverty through sustainable and locally-led development.

Job Description

SNV has been present in Ghana since 1992. SNV has recently been awarded funding from the European Union Emergency Trust Fund to implement the GrEEn project, which aims to promote employment, entrepreneurship and support the greening of businesses for sustainable and climate resilient local economies in Ghana. 

SNV is currently seeking applicants for a full-time position as SME Incubation and Acceleration Specialist

This position is based in Accra, Ghana

Position Summary
The SME Incubation and Acceleration Specialist will be responsible for overseeing the interventions related to supporting the start-up and scale-up of growth-oriented green enterprises. Under the GrEEn project, incubation and acceleration support will be provided in the agriculture, energy and WASH sectors. The SME Incubation and Acceleration Specialist will work closely with the Business Development and Market Linkages Advisors based in Kumasi and Takoradi to identify suitable incubation and acceleration service providers in the Ashanti and Western regions.

S/he will coordinate and oversee the provision of technical assistance and advisory services aimed at strengthening existing service providers (such as incubators, accelerators, working spaces and local networks of entrepreneurs) within the project’s operational area to contribute to the establishment of a conducive local ecosystem for business development and growth. 

Duties & Responsibilities 

• Identification and analysis of existing incubation and acceleration services, particularly in Ashanti and Western regions;
• Capacity and needs assessment of existing service providers; 
• Develop and design comprehensive menu of services/toolkits, including specific modules for the greening of start-ups and SMEs; conduct Training of Trainers;
• Capacity strengthening of new and existing incubators and accelerators in service provision, incubator/accelerator management, performance measurement of service recipients; 
• Develop mentorship network; 
• 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 diaspora 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.

Required Skills or Experience

• Master’s degree in one of the following: Agribusiness; Business Administration; Finance; Engineering and/or related field;
• Minimum of 7 years working experience in business incubation and acceleration;
• Experience in providing technical assistance and advisory services to incubators/accelerators or other Business Development Service providers in relation to general management, service provision, marketing, performance measurement, facilitation of access to finance, etc.
• In-depth understanding of the Ghanaian private sector and start-up scene, including relevant policies and actors; good understanding of emerging trends and opportunities; 
• Practical experience of working with start-up entrepreneurs, as well as SMEs, either through training or capacity building services, or through mentoring and coaching; 
• Experience in tracking performance of service recipients, including through alumni engagement, by using qualitative and quantitative methods.

Competencies

• Strong team player and good negotiation and relationship-building skills;
• Pro-active work attitude and 'can do', entrepreneurial, solution-oriented attitude;
• Results-oriented; 
• Effective project management skills; strong skills in planning, administration, organising and prioritising;
• Displays a strong service and client orientation;

Knowledge/Experience in the following areas desired:

• Agriculture / Agri-business
• Renewable energy 
• WASH
• Green business / green economy
• Social entrepreneurship 
• Youth employment and entrepreneurship 
• Women Economic Empowerment
• Diaspora engagement 
• Excellent English communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal; 
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office package.