Recruitment notice: Business Development and Partnerships Officer Recruitment notice: Business Development and Partnerships Officer

Recruitment notice: Business Development and Partnerships Officer

The European Institute for Cooperation and Development (IECD), a recognised association of public utility, works in the fields of education, entrepreneurship and access to employment through training for the most vulnerable people. IECD implements more than 70 projects in 18 countries, spread over 4 geographical areas (Mediterranean Basin and Near East, Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar and Southeast Asia), allowing to act with about 30,000 beneficiaries.

Based in Cameroon, IECD deploys several programmes to promote the integration of young people into working life: vocational training for young people, awareness-raising on women’s empowerment, support for entrepreneurship and a solidarity selling system. The deployment of these programmes is financed by grants from public or private donors and can also be the subject of direct services with local actors. Among them, the Transform program offers several support courses in agri-food entrepreneurship as well as coaching services in business development with its impact entrepreneurs.

Sofrulecam - Les Potagers de Bafou - is the social enterprise of IECD Cameroon. It markets a range of fresh market garden products from its educational plots to several customer segments: supermarkets, hotels and restaurants and individuals.

In order to include entrepreneurs supported in agri-food and social enterprise in a business development dynamic, but also to contribute to the growth of IECD Cameroon in its ecosystem, we are looking to integrate a Business Development and Partnerships Officer to our teams.

In Cameroon, IECD develops schemes that combine entrepreneurial support, economic development and social impact. Business development is an essential lever to enable accompanied entrepreneurs to consolidate their activity, gain sustainable access to their markets and strengthen their economic autonomy. We are now looking for a Business Development and Partnerships Officer who would like to put his business skills at the service of this ambition: developing sustainable markets and partnerships while contributing to projects with high economic and social impact.

DUTIES

In collaboration with the project teams, the missions of the Business Development and Partnerships Officer will be as follows:

Priority 1: Coach impact entrepreneurs & sofrulecam in their business development

1/ Transform: Supporting potential entrepreneurs in their search for impact

Among agri-food entrepreneurs with high potential and with a view to individual reinforcement:

Define and follow a field support plan based on a commercial diagnosis and objectives to be achieved; implement with it a growth dynamic driven by innovation, impact and product visibility; plan and follow concrete progression steps on the SMART model; monitor its evolution and achievement of objectives through indicators and regular reporting.

Example of objectives to be achieved: better knowledge of its customers, optimized positioning on its market, better referencing of its products in mass distribution (number of products distributed and number of points of sale served), increase in its profitability, sales volumes and turnover, steps in favor of a social responsibility, etc.

2/ Sofrulecam: Accelerating business development of the company

With the support of the Rural and Agricultural Entrepreneurship Project Manager and in collaboration with the ADV team, the Business Development and Partnerships Officer contributes to Sofrulecam’s business development. In this capacity, he is responsible for:

Contribute to the structuring of Sofrulecam's business strategy and development model, promoting synergies with other IECD programs and the articulation between market needs, commercial forecasts and Sofrulecam's supply capabilities; contribute to the identification of new markets, partners and development opportunities; contribute to the definition and deployment of prospecting actions and commercial development among the target segments (large distribution, retail);

Priority 2: Contribute to the dynamics of IECD in its ecosystemÈME

3/ Programmes & Services: Contribute to the visibility of the courses with Cameroonian project leaders and entrepreneurs (BtoC)

In support of project managers and according to the objectives set by each programme:

Implement a strategy of visibility of the courses (commercial supports and placements) with the general public and existing networks of entrepreneurs; plan events such as Open Days, animations in training centers, participation in forums of exchange with trainers, discovery workshops, etc.; maintain a database of entrepreneurs and ensure prospecting by direct approach (messages, social networks, appointment making); ensure the meetings with managers.

4/ Contribute to the anchoring and visibility of IECD Cameroon in the Cameroonian ecosystem (BtoB)

Define and deploy a strategy of commercial approach of local partners; generate and ensure a dynamic active presence of IECD Cameroon with the economic and social actors public and private, and during events related to entrepreneurship (stand, speaking, etc.); develop, maintain and animate a network of supports and local relays; support project leaders in the search for opportunities and the formalization of financial and / or operational partnerships.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Graduate of a business/management school; higher education in business, management or equivalent field; 5 years of experience in business development in the field of services (ideally training); significant experience in business development, prospecting, client portfolio development or partnerships; experience in entrepreneurship, agri-food, services or social economy is a major asset.

We are primarily looking for someone with strong business fundamentals, capab

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