TechnoServe, a leader in harnessing the power of the private sector to help people lift themselves out of poverty, is inviting qualified and passionate individuals to apply for four (4) full-time positions of Business Counselor based in Nairobi and Kisumu counties. This opportunity falls under the REWARDS (Resilience for Women with Disabilities through Micro-Retail Development Support) program, a forward-thinking initiative committed to transforming the lives of women entrepreneurs with disabilities through inclusive economic empowerment.
As part of our continued commitment to diversity, inclusion, and sustainable growth, TechnoServe is re-advertising these positions to ensure broad outreach and to attract individuals dedicated to impactful grassroots-level transformation. If you are driven to make a tangible difference in the lives of underserved micro-retailers and have a background in business support, training, or field advisory, this role presents an inspiring platform for your professional journey.
About TechnoServe
Founded over 50 years ago, TechnoServe operates in over 30 countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Our mission is to work with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. We empower smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs with skills, knowledge, and market linkages necessary to thrive in a competitive economy.
Ninety-five percent of our staff are local, a testament to our commitment to context-relevant, sustainable change. Our culture is anchored in collaboration, entrepreneurial thinking, integrity, and a results-driven approach that ensures lasting impact in every community we serve.
About the Program: REWARDS
The REWARDS initiative is an extension of TechnoServe’s prior work supporting women with disabilities in micro-retail, particularly those integrated into Coca-Cola Beverages Africa’s (CCBA) distribution chain. Funded through the Global Labor Program – Inclusive Futures initiative, REWARDS is designed to overcome the systemic and social barriers facing women entrepreneurs with disabilities.
The program offers a comprehensive support package including business management skills training, coaching, digital tool adoption, and improved access to financial services. It fosters peer networks and collaborative business groups to build resilience and sustainable economic empowerment. The expanded focus includes new sectors such as agribusiness and the food industry to broaden income-generating opportunities for the target demographic.
Position Title: Business Counselor (4 Positions)
Location: Nairobi and Kisumu Counties, Kenya
Grade Level: 3
Reports To: Business Advisor
Job Type: Full-time
Travel Requirement: Frequent travel within Nairobi and Kisumu regions
Job Summary
The Business Counselor will play a critical frontline role in implementing field-level activities under the REWARDS program. The position’s core responsibilities include mobilizing participants, delivering business training, providing individualized advisory services, and facilitating market and financial linkages. Business Counselors are integral in ensuring the program’s inclusive development goals are met through direct engagement with women micro-retailers with disabilities.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
1. Participant Recruitment and Mobilization
- Conduct geographical mapping and scoping to identify viable locations and eligible women entrepreneurs with disabilities.
- Mobilize prospective participants based on the program’s inclusion principles and selection criteria.
- Facilitate a transparent recruitment process and maintain accurate records of selected and onboarded beneficiaries.
- Support community engagement activities that create awareness about the REWARDS program and its benefits.
2. Training Delivery and Business Support
- Facilitate structured training sessions for enrolled micro-retailers using the program’s curriculum.
- Reinforce key business management concepts including bookkeeping, inventory control, customer relations, and financial literacy.
- Offer continuous one-on-one follow-up support to ensure practical application of acquired skills.
- Provide tailored advice based on each entrepreneur’s specific needs and business challenges.
3. Linkages and Market Facilitation
- Establish strategic partnerships between participants and relevant financial service providers, suppliers, and distribution networks.
- Support entrepreneurs in accessing capital, digital finance tools, and business services to scale their operations.
- Identify market opportunities and facilitate participation of program participants in local trade and retail platforms.
- Promote inclusion into diversified supply chains beyond the CCBA network, including in agribusiness and food service.
4. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
- Assist in data collection for baseline, midline, and endline evaluations through surveys and assessments.
- Maintain updated monitoring records and input accurate data into reporting systems.
- Submit detailed weekly and monthly reports summarizing field activities, successes, challenges, and outcomes.
- Document case studies, impact stories, and emerging best practices to support program learning and accountability.
5. Team Coordination and Internal Communication
- Engage actively with fellow Business Counselors and Business Advisors to share insights and enhance program implementation.
- Participate in scheduled team meetings, planning sessions, and training workshops to build team cohesion and professional development.
- Align daily work with TechnoServe’s organizational values and the REWARDS program’s strategic direction.
- Represent TechnoServe professionally in all interactions with stakeholders, communities, and partners.
6. General Support
- Assist the Program Manager and Business Advisor in any additional duties that contribute to the effectiveness of the REWARDS program.
- Support the organization’s mission and uphold its high ethical standards in every interaction and activity.
Minimum Skills and Experience Required
- Prior experience in community mobilization, training delivery, or advisory roles at the grassroots level.
- Background in working with small enterprises or micro-retailers, preferably in informal settings.
- Understanding of retail industry trends in Kenya, particularly in low-income urban or peri-urban areas.
- Familiarity with market linkage strategies and financial inclusion programs.
- Experience in using digital tools for training and business advisory.
- Exposure to working with people with disabilities is highly desirable; basic sign language is a strong asset.
- Strong report writing skills and ability to capture field-level data accurately and meaningfully.
- Willingness to travel frequently and work in informal settlements and underserved areas.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in both English and Kiswahili.
- Strong organizational skills and proficiency in MS Office applications, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
Work Environment
The Business Counselor role is predominantly field-based, requiring a strong commitment to frequent travel across the target regions of Nairobi and Kisumu. Candidates should be comfortable working in informal settlements and underserved communities and be sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities. The work environment encourages initiative, empathy, and adaptability, aligning closely with TechnoServe’s mission-driven culture.
Why Join TechnoServe?
Working with TechnoServe means becoming part of a global team dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through sustainable economic development. As a Business Counselor, you will gain practical experience implementing inclusive business models, be at the forefront of transformational change for marginalized entrepreneurs, and develop professionally through exposure to a dynamic, collaborative workplace.
TechnoServe offers a respectful and equitable working environment, inclusive of gender, disability, and all forms of diversity. Our commitment to safeguarding ensures that all staff, beneficiaries, and partners operate in an environment free from abuse, exploitation, and discrimination.
Application Process
This is a re-advertised opportunity, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Previous applicants need not reapply.
If you have a disability that makes it difficult for you to apply via the online system, please contact TechnoServe Human Resources via email at [email protected] or call +1 202 785 4515 for assistance.
We encourage all eligible individuals who share TechnoServe’s mission to apply and contribute to our shared vision of a more inclusive and prosperous world.
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.
