Business Development Advisor

Job highlights

Learn a local language from dedicated Language and Cross-Cultural Facilitators.
Gain an understanding of business challenges and viable solutions in southern Africa.
Attend cultural events, such as elaborate weddings, to learn about the country’s traditions.

Required skills

Qualified candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any business discipline

OR

• 5 years professional experience in business management

Language: There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position.

Desired skills

Five years of experience in entrepreneurship and small business development.

Previous experience owning or managing a business.

Project description

Namibia is looking for the recent business graduate or finance whiz to support local entrepreneurs-in-the-making.

Namibia faces a 37 percent unemployment rate, with youth unemployment at 44 percent. Low high school and technical school completion rates mean that formal employment is out of reach for most young people. For many, entrepreneurship is the only viable path to economic independence, but starting and sustaining a business requires skills, confidence, and support.

As a Business Development Advisor, you will play a vital role in closing this gap. You’ll provide training and mentorship in digital literacy, employability skills, and income-generating activities, equipping aspiring entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses that create jobs and reduce poverty. Your work will enable individuals to break cycles of systemic poverty and foster economic resilience in their communities. This opportunity comes at an exciting time for Namibia—with a booming tourism industry and the potential for an oil boom—creating even greater demand for strong business skills and innovative solutions.

Activities

How you and the community will make an impact together:

Plan, coordinate, and facilitate workshops on basic business skills, financial literacy, computer skills, and employability skills.
Provide one-on-one mentorship to prospective and existing entrepreneurs.
Organize and host events, such as pitch competitions, market days, and networking events.
Train youth at vocational institutes and women’s groups.
Collaborate with municipal and regional government offices to increase accessibility to services.
Teach practical skills to youth in vocational schools, women’s groups, and informal sector entrepreneurs like small business owners and street vendors.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as conducting mock interviews and facilitating an after-school computer club.

Living conditions

After living with a host family during pre-service training, Volunteers will live in independent apartments or houses with modern amenities, such as a basic refrigerator, basic stove, and shower, near their work site. The modest housing has indoor plumbing and electricity. Volunteers will live in urban or peri urban centers located in the country’s Zambezi, Khomas, Erongo. Kavango East, Oshana, Karas, Omusati, Otjozondjupa and Ohangwena regions.