Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of businesses and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.
The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing…when incomes increase, and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.
Program Background
Over the past seven years, TechnoServe and the Moody’s Foundation have partnered to strengthen Kenya’s micro-retail sector through the Smart Duka Program, equipping more than 8000 micro-retailers across Nairobi and Kisumu with the business skills, networks, and systems needed to grow and formalize their enterprises.
As the program enters its eighth year, the Transition Grant (Smart Duka 8.0) aims to consolidate the gains from Smart Duka 7.0 and earlier phases, finalize the handover of core functions to the NDO, and secure long-term sustainability through corporate partnerships, strengthened institutional capacity, and robust data and knowledge systems.
Position Description
The Business Counselor, Corporate Partnerships Support, will support corporate engagement and partnership activities within the Smart Duka Program. Working closely with the Program Manager and National Duka-owners Umbrella Organization (NDO), the role will support B2B forums, partnership coordination, and operationalization of supply and service agreements that benefit micro retailers.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
The Business Counselor will be responsible for the following duties:
- Support the mobilization and engagement of dukas and business groups participating in corporate linkage activities.
- Work with business groups to consolidate demand and prepare for engagement with suppliers and partners.
- Support engagement with FMCGs, millers, suppliers, and digital service providers working with the NDO network.
- Assist in organizing and coordinating B2B forums, market linkage events, and corporate meetings.
- Support follow-up actions arising from corporate engagements and partnership discussions.
- Assist in the coordination and operationalization of group purchasing, aggregation, and supply arrangements.
- Track partnership activities, aggregated volumes, and delivery performance.
- Support refinement and documentation of NDO’s corporate value proposition and service offerings.
- Prepare weekly activity updates and contribute to monthly and quarterly reporting.
- Maintain project work plans and ensure the timely implementation of assigned activities.
- Identify implementation risks and work with the Business Advisor to address them.
- Understand, respect, and promote TechnoServe’s values, safeguarding principles, and inclusion standards.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Business Advisor or Program Manager.
Required Skills and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, supply chain, economics, or a related field.
- At least 2 years’ experience supporting partnerships, market linkages, or B2B coordination.
- Familiarity with FMCG, retail, or supply-chain environments is an advantage.
- Experience working with micro-enterprises or informal sector businesses.
- Strong communication, coordination, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Demonstrable report writing and documentation skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office applications, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
- Ability to work independently and travel frequently within assigned locations.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe’s vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.
With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability, and all other protected classes.
We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.
If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or call +1 202 785 4515.
