Date Posted: 19th May 2009 | Valid Until: 10th July 2009
Salary: $100,000 - $120,000 per annum | Contact: Christine Parillon
Scope:
Reporting directly to the CEO, the Business Advisor is responsible for strengthening and expanding the business community in Montserrat by taking the lead role in delivery of MDC’s business support services, including client information and advice, business training, research and planning, investment and export promotion and business advocacy.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provides effective one-on-one business counseling and consulting to business clients approaching the corporation.
- Assists clients with their business plans, in the research and development of their business idea, and counsels clients in the access of financing at other institutions and programs.
- Supports business clients by providing information and assisting them to meet the regulatory requirements for starting and maintaining their businesses.
- Designs and implements a range of business training programs, including pre-startup, business startup, business strengthening and employee training.
- Establishes programs for mentoring entrepreneurs, both one-on-one and peer mentoring.
- Develops marketing and promotion plans and supports businesses to export their goods.
- Designs and implements initiatives to encourage inward investment and ensures investors have access to current data they require to establish operations in the country.
- Performs feasibility studies and market analysis for business activities as required to facilitate MDC’s programs and policies.
- Develops and implements an outsourcing policy and related programs that encourage greater private sector participation.
- Conducts research on the enabling environment for business, conducts benchmarking and advocates for changes to streamline and simplify the regulatory regimes.
- Networks and fosters local community business organizations and partners.
- Assists the CEO to increase public awareness and appreciation of MDC’s business support programs, including communication plan preparation and presentations to groups.
- Accomplishes MDC’s mission by completing related results as needed.
Education:
Post secondary education (B.A.) in commerce, economics or business administration or a business related diploma from a recognized institution or a minimum of five years commercial lending or a combination of both education and small business financing.
Experience:
- Success in the establishment, support and delivery of a range of business advisory and training services.
- Success in undertaking market research and conducting investment and export promotion.
- Significant background doing research, advocacy and program development.
- Experience leading public consultations and fostering consensus.
- Evidence of having worked successfully with multi-disciplinary professional teams.
Skills/Knowledge:
- Displays a high level of motivation and enthusiasm and a commitment to the aims of MDC.
- Results oriented, goals focused individual dedicated to finding positive solutions and overcoming obstacles.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Excellent business counseling, organizational and research skills.
- Effective communications skills - both written and verbal.
- Customer focus and good interpersonal skills.
- Team player committed and capable of using coaching/mentoring skills to transfer knowledge.
- Excellent computer skills, including a good working knowledge of the internet, Microsoft Office suite and computer applications for business.
- Good marketing and promotion skills.
- Basic understanding of small business operations.
- Integrity, Responsibility and Flexibility.
- Commitment to Thoroughness, Quality and Confidentiality.
- Ideally familiar with how the Caribbean and/or other small island states function.
Confidentiality Commitment:
All employees of MDC work with information, processes or data that must be kept confidential in order to protect the interests of the client and the corporation. To ensure confidentiality all employees must swear an oath and sign a confidentiality agreement and adhere to the policies and procedures of the MDC Operations Manual.