Position: Business Partnerships Director (BPD)
Program: Strongim Bisnis
Location: Honiara, Solomon Islands with provincial travel
Duration: Full time
ARF Group/Level: D3
Direct reporting: Strongim Bisnis Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Background
Strongim Bisnis, which commenced in July 2017, is an initiative of the Australian Government in Solomon Islands. The program utilises a market systems development (MSD) approach in its goal to stimulate growth in specific value chains (cocoa, coconut, tourism, timber, horticulture, waste management and financial services). Through its activities it seeks to catalyse innovation, improve business practices, strengthen collaboration, manage risks, build resilience, increase women’s participation and empowerment, and actively involve youth and people with disability. In 2021, Strongim Bisnis commenced its second phase and benefits from significant learning opportunities identified and written up from Phase One.
The program has three end-of-program outcomes (EOPOs):
- Private sector enterprises have demonstrated potential for: increased productivity; greater resilience; better risk management; increased income earning opportunities and access to higher value markets; increased efficient use of assets and labour; and use of new business models that promote increased employment, income and trade;
- The private sector and government have worked together to increase opportunities for trade and investment, and form external partnerships that encourage business growth and accelerate changes in business practices which result in a more favourable investment climate; and
- Women, youth and people with disabilities have improved economic empowerment, measured by their participation in EOPOs 1 and 2 above, and demonstrated success of specific social inclusion measures.
In addition, due to the extraordinary current operating circumstances in the Solomon Islands due to the COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbated by the November 2021 riots, Strongim Bisnis is supporting the private sector, state owned enterprises (SOEs) and key SIG ministries in the short-term to minimise disruption and job losses from the economic impacts of these events.
The team is led by the CEO, with program activities being implemented and monitored by the Program’s technical team comprising the BDP, MSD Adviser, Women’s Economic Empowerment Director, Monitoring and Results Measurement Manager, Communications Manager and eight local technical adviser with short-term technical specialists’ support as required.
Position Summary
The Business Partnership Director (BPD) is responsible for the design, implementation nd management of MSD-based partnerships and representation of the Program in stakeholder engagement. The BPD shares responsibility with the MSD Adviser for the technical design and implementation of MSD strategies for Strongim Bisnis, including identifying and developing strong partnerships with businesses, relevant associations and Solomon Islands Government (SIG) to deliver inclusive and resilient growth.
The position is based in Honiara where the Strongim Bisnis Office is located. The program’s business activities are being implemented nationally, focusing on stimulating pro-poor growth and maximising impact to scale up long term production and opportunity across the provinces. The BPD supports engagement with all stakeholders in target market systems, from smallholder producers within local communities to government ministries, service providers, manufacturers, exporters and investors for sustainable prosperity. In 2020, the Program updated its market systems analyses (MSAs) for cocoa, coconut products and tourism and researched new MSAs for horticulture, financial services, timber and waste management. These and program learning to date guide the BPD’s work program and approach. This role drives innovation and flexibility, and contributes new thinking across existing and new markets with the aim of developing and facilitating key high-profile partnerships to drive systemic change in the selected sectors towards greater productivity and inclusivity, and increased incomes for poor households in Solomon Islands. The BPD works closely with the CEO to manage business case development and intervention design for the selected sectors – currently financial services, horticulture, timber, tourism and waste management. With the MSD Adviser focusing on cocoa and coconut sectors. The BPD collaborates with the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Director and the local WEE and Youth Adviser to ensure the development of inclusive MSD analyses and strategies. They also work closely with the MRM Manager and the local MRM Coordinator to ensure interventions are effectively monitored, implemented and managed using tailored and adaptive approaches, and consistently learn from new information and the changing context over the life of the program. The BPD manages a team of local Business Advisers (BAs), with each adviser focusing on one of the Program’s target market sectors. The BPD works closely with their team of BAs prepare business cases, budgets and partnership agreements, implement partnership activities and procurement, and manage partner relations. Duties and responsibilities
Required qualifications and experience
Key Performance Indicators:
Please submit your application before Friday 17 June 11:59pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) to: Molly Bowers at Molly.Bowers@adamsmithinternational.com. Please use the following title: Business Partnerships Director. Applications should include two pages cover letter addressing the job specifications and required qualifications and experience, a CV of no more than four pages and two professional referees. APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY A THIRD PARTY WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Adam Smith International values a diverse workforce and encourages applications from candidates of all background, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisers, as well as Solomon Islanders and regional advisers. |