Republic of Yemen Economic Opportunities Fund (EOF) Presidency of Council of Ministers The Government of Yemen, represented by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MOPIC), has received a Grant from IFAD and the European Commission as well a co-finance from the Islamic Bank for Development and Yemen government for the establishment of the Economic Opportunities Fund (EOF) The Economic Opportunities Fund has been be created by Government decree No. 183-2010 as a public-private partnership working to improve the economic status of poor women and men in rural areas. Accordingly, its structure is based on three core pillars, namely value chain development, economic infrastructure, and rural financial services; and the EOF constitutes an institutional arrangement that allows the application of several principles: Cost recovery & sustainability, Multi-sectoral approach, Private sector orientation, Social agenda, and Equity investments. The EOF is the key institution for the management, implementation and supervision of the Economic Opportunities Programme, the Fisheries Investment Project and Rural Employment Programmes (REP).
Rural Employment Programmes (REP): The ‘YemenInvest’ Rural Employment Programme’s (REP) goal is to improve the economic status of poor rural households through creation of sustainable and diversified employment opportunities. In particular, the programme will invest in value chain development in sectors viz. (i) natural stones, (ii) textile; (iii) herbal, medicinal and aromatic plants as well as on several micro-, small and medium activities such as furniture and handicraft. Also, with regard to the above, the programmes will focus on rural investment financing; export promotion; rural labour market intermediation; and policy and partnerships. The project is national in scope and initially will focus on seven governorates: Abyan, Shabwa, Dhamar, Hajjah, Hodeidah, Lahej and Taiz. REP’s main target groups are unemployed and underemployed young women and men in rural areas below the poverty line. Specific focus is placed on young women and men entering rural labor market, and decent work compliance will be considered to the extent feasible. It is estimated that the project will directly benefit 50,000 households in the rural areas Currently, under the ‘YemenInvest-Rural Employment Programme’, EOF seeks qualified Yemeni candidates to fulfill the following post Lead Business Advisor (LBA) Under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Opportunities Fund, the Lead Business Advisor (LBA) will be responsible for the management of the business service provision activities in the EOF’s growing portfolio of projects and programmes targeted at creating sustainable economic opportunities for poor women and men in rural areas. The LBA will be based at the EOF Headquarters in Sana’a and will manage a growing team of Business Advisors based across the EOF’s areas of operation in Yemen providing a range of range of business services to micro, small and medium-sized rural businesses and entrepreneurs. The LBA will work in very close coordination with the managers of other units in the EOF’s Investment and Capacity Building Offices. The LBA will be expected to travel regularly within and outside Yemen. Duties and Responsibilities: • Lead the implementation of business advisory activities in the EOF’s portfolio of projects and programmes
in close coordination with other EOF managers;
• Manage the recruitment, training and work of Business Advisors, ensuring that they are fully competent to implement all tasks required of them; review and approve BAs monthly work plans;
• Manage the establishment and implementation of the EOF’s planned Business Service Support Scheme,
including a system of vouchers to provide low-cost access for micro, small and medium sized rural businesses and entrepreneurs to business services including training, financial management support, marketing expertise and technical advice from a network of approved business service providers;
• As necessary, work with the Business Advisors to provide additional direct support and training to rural enterprises and entrepreneurs; the LBAs support may be required particularly for larger or more complex businesses;
• Participate in national level policy dialogue with public and private sector partners on enterprise
development, business service provision and improvement of the business environment, and build the
EOF’s national and international partnerships in these areas;
• Implement national awareness campaigns to provide information on the programmes of the EOF and support available to rural businesses and entrepreneurs;
• Identify and propose innovative means of increasing access to and use of business services in rural Yemen;
• Support the EOF’s Equity Finance Manager to develop a pipeline of potential equity/musharaka
investments; undertake basic due diligence of businesses interested to engage in equity/musharaka investments with the EOF; represent the EOF on the Board of Directors of companies in which it makes
equity/musharaka investments;
• Participate in participatory evaluation meetings with clients and beneficiary groups; prepare relevant
elements of the EOF’s Annual Work Plans and Budgets;
• Coordinate and undertake quality control of Business Advisors reporting; coordinate production of substantive biannual reports on outputs and work undertaken;
• Evaluate the performance of Business Advisors and make decisions on contract renewal based on performance;
• Ensure implementation of the EOF’s targeting and gender mainstreaming strategies; REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE;
a) Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the private sector, particularly in accounting, management consulting or other general business areas; experience in sectors of relevance to the EOF (agriculture, fisheries, natural stone, textiles) would be a distinct advantage;
b) Strong commercial orientation, energy, enthusiasm and excellent communication and negotiation skills;
c) Degree in business administration, accounting, economics, or other relevant area;
d) Familiarity with realities of living and doing business in rural Yemen; ability to relate well to rural communities;
e) Willing to work long hours and travel in remote, rural areas of Yemen and to interact with both male and female clients;
f) High level of expertise in Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word etc.);
g) Proficiency in written and spoken Arabic and English. Application Process: Interested qualified candidates are encouraged to apply for these positions by sending the detailed CV and a cover letter clearly mentioning the position applying for in the email/letter subject line to the following email address: [email protected].
EOF is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates and people with disabilities, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with strictest confidence.
See "Application process" above |