Location Georgetown: Guyana

Start Date: Sep - Nov 2017 (flexible)

Length of Placement: 12 Months

Language: Requirements English

EnglishReading: Level 4, Writing: Level 4, Speaking: Level 4

Language Scale: http://www.cusointernational.org/languageratingscale

Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada only

The Volunteer’s Role

The overall purpose of the placement is supporting greater private sector development. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is of the firm belief that entrepreneurship must play a fundamental role in the transformation and ultimate success of the country’s economy.   One of the initiatives undertaken to facilitate its role in pushing private sector development is the establishment of a Business Incubator for entrepreneurs. A Business Incubator is a business support process that accelerates the successful development of start-ups and fledging companies by providing them with an array of targeted resources and services.

Towards this end, the GCCI has collaborated with the Small Business Bureau, a government agency tasked with the responsibility for the growth and development of the small business sector; GeoTech Vision, a company selected by the World Bank as a “Business Enabler” in Guyana, amidst a Caribbean-wide competition; and Cuso International to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the expressed objective   to promote the development of small businesses through entrepreneurial development activities, business support initiatives, and the establishment of a business incubator centre.

The Business Incubator Advisor will work with the staff of the centre to build institutional capacity, aimed at mentoring and nurturing start-ups, thereby providing them with the knowledge and skills to grow their businesses and be sustainable.   Ultimately, the role will contribute to new and small entrepreneurs growing and developing their businesses which will contribute to national economic growth and poverty reduction.

As a volunteer, you will:

• Conduct assessment and develop a comprehensive action plan for implementation of the Business Incubator.  
• Collaborate with key stakeholders and clients, and launch Business Incubator.
• Strengthen the capacity of volunteer counterpart and staff, to implement best practices, policies, and procedures to manage the Business Incubator.
• Facilitate partnerships and networking opportunities with key stakeholders, to support the Business Incubator, and establish a mentorship network to support clients.
• Establish monitoring and evaluation strategy to track the effectiveness of the Business Incubator process.

Essential Academic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, in business administration, accounting, finance, marketing, or a related field.
• Essential Professional Background:
• 5-7 years’ experience in business management, business enterprise, entrepreneurial or incubator experience.
• Effective project management and resource mobilization abilities.
• Demonstrated technical competence in providing training and capacity building.

Support Package

•  Modest monthly living allowance (varies depending country)
•  Accommodation while in placement
•  Return airfare and visa/work permit costs
•  Cost of required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and health insurance
•  Pre-departure training and in-country orientation
•  Travel and accommodation for reintegration debriefing weekend
•  Modest support for accompanying partners and dependents going on placement with you for 12 months or longer
•  Access to Employee Assistance Program while in placement and upon return
•  Cuso International assessment day (Candidates must cover the first $200 of the most cost-effective travel expenses and all accommodation costs).
•  Travel and accommodation for the five-day pre-departure training course and for in-country orientation

Apply here: https://curaweb.mindscope.com/CUSOIN04387_CURA/aspx/JobDetails.aspx?lang...