DEPUTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP MANAGER 

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION  

DEPUTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP MANAGER 

WHAT IS GERES ? 

Founded in 1976, Geres is an international development NGO working to improve living conditions and fight against climate change and its impacts. As a grassroots actor, Geres sees the energy transition as a key driver of its work.  To foster ambitious societal change, the organization promotes the development and dissemination of innovative  local solutions, supports local climate and energy policies, and mobilizes all stakeholders around the concept of  climate solidarity—encouraging them to take action and support the most vulnerable. 

For more information: https://www.geres.eu/en/ 

CONTEXT AND PROJECTS OF GERES IN SIERRA LEONE 

In West Africa, Geres implements projects in Benin, Togo, Mali, Senegal and more recently in Sierra Leone. Teams  are also deployed on an ad hoc basis to other countries in the sub-region on consultancy assignments. Sierra Leone  is a new country of intervention for Geres (starting in April 2025). 

The opening project will: 

Ensure an energy sizing is aligned with the productive uses connected to the grid, and, where necessary,  support additional investments in energy production equipment (generators, solar panels…); Propose innovative financing mechanisms to facilitate entrepreneurs ’investment in productive equipment  (mills, dehullers, efficient refrigerators…); 

Strengthen local mini-grid developers’ understanding of the challenges related to electrifying productive  energy users, building on Geres’ experience from EBA projects and its technical assistance to private Mini Grid  Operators; 

Empower productive energy users through a comprehensive entrepreneurship support and capacity-building  program. 

Ad term Geres team in Sierra Leone will consist of around 20 people for the implementation of the first project.  The national representation is based in Freetown, although most of the activities will be developed in rural areas  of the country. 

MISSION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION 

The Deputy Economic Development & Entrepreneurship (EDE) Manager reports directly to the Project Manager,  he/she ensures the implementation of the activities of his/her thematic.  

He/She supervises the EDE team, composed by Technical Facilitators.  

He/She works closely with other Deputy Thematic Managers, the MEAL Officer, all the Support team and the  Field teams in Sierra Leone. He/She is also the focal point for Geres Experts based in HQ for his/her thematic.  He/She participates in the capitalization of know-how related to the various functions of his/her position. He/She is also responsible for contributing to the recognition of Geres’ expertise on the EDE theme among  institutional and private partners and stakeholders in the Sierra Leone’s economic sector.

LOCATION 

The Deputy Economic Development & Entrepreneurship Manager is based at the Geres office in Freetown. He/She will be required to travel regularly in the project areas, particularly in the branch offices (SL rural Districts), and in  any new intervention zones developed as part of future projects (mainly in the same regions). 

HIERARCHICAL AND FUNCTIONNAL LINKS 

Hierarchical link up: the Project Manager and, in his/her absence, the Country Representative or the  Operations Support Manager 

Hierarchical link down: the Economic Development & Entrepreneurship (EDE) team in Sierra Leone  (Officers, Facilitators…) 

Functional link: Office base Supervisors, Project Managers, Deputy Thematic Managers, Deputy Support  Manager… 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES 

1/ Ensure management of economic development & entrepreneurship (EDE) themes: Define, in collaboration with the Project Manager (PM) and the other Deputy Thematic Managers, the cross functional economic development & entrepreneurship (harmonized approaches, keywords, tools, specific  attentions…) according to the needs and relevance in project activities; 

Define activities related to the economic development of rural SMEs, microfinance access, accounting and  marketing trainings, markets linkage, technical skills strategies (especially for women entrepreneurs) and  establish the planning with the EDE Facilitators; 

Produce or support the Facilitators in producing the technical and/or methodological framework necessary  for the implementation of the planned activities;  

Support communities and social groups in organizing workshops aimed at developing/updating/influencing  entrepreneurship issues (especially for women) in their territories; 

Through his/her technical expertise, strengthen the integration of Economic Development and  Entrepreneurship issues in a cross-cutting manner across all project activities; 

Ensure quality control and reporting on the activities carried out, with the PM, the MEAL Officer and the other  Deputy Thematic Managers; 

In line with the PM, represent the EDE department (and eventually Geres SL) in steering committees as well  as in meetings with partners and donors when its participation is necessary. 

2/ Manage the EDE Team: 

Provide hierarchical management for the EDE team; 

Oversee the recruitment, integration and training of new employees; 

Prepare and conduct the annual interviews, and set individual objectives for employees under his/her direct  authority; 

Pay particular attention to the capacity building of all his/her team members, specifically through training on  internal procedures, in close collaboration with the relevant departments. 

Provide the necessary support to all his/her team members in the exercise of their position, particularly with  the various technical and financial deadlines of the project/NGO; 

Coordinate and supervise activities of his/her team’s members, relating to the various operational and  financial deadlines of the project and the NGO (monitoring execution, planning, forecast budgets) and  organize the presence and absences of the team; 

Ensure the alignment and compliance with Geres’ procedures, standards and policies in the implementation  of projects; 

Ensure EDE team well-being and working conditions; 

Organize specific training sessions based on project needs (including for all Geres’ teams and partners).

3/ Ensure the project management for EDE themes:  

Establish the EDE programming (monthly/quarterly/annual) in coordination with the activities of the other  themes of the project in collaboration with the PM and others Deputy Thematic Managers; Budget activities and contribute to budget projections; 

Monitor budgets for portions of the budget delegated to EDE activities; 

Contribute to activities and budget reporting, in accordance with the rules and procedures developed by the  Geres Administrative and Financial Department; 

Organize and supervise the use of external service providers, contribute to the definition and organization of  internal expertise missions (GEX) in conjunction with the PM; 

Support the PM in planning and leading key project management events (steering committees, strategic  orientation committees); 

4/ Capitalization and strategic reflection: 

Capitalize on Geres’ experiences on the topic and the lessons learned; 

Analyze Geres’ positioning (thematic, geographic, partnership, institutional) on the topics of SME  development, microfinance, sectorial value chains (agrobusiness, fishery…) in Sierra Leone; Works to identify new opportunities for developing EDE activities and partnerships through contextual and  programmatic monitoring; 

Monitor innovations to inform internal reflection; 

Lead thematic reflection with project and thematic teams during coordination meetings or strategic  workshops. 

5/ Other: 

Frequent travel within the region; 

The post holder may also perform any other tasks related to his/her skills as assigned by their Manager. CANDIDATE PROFILE 

TRAINING/EXPERTISE 

Master degree and/or significant professional experience in a field related to Economic Sciences, rural  entrepreneurship, social and solidarity economy, with a specialization in project management/animation,  rural development desirable; 

Experience working with the banking or microfinance sector on setting up business credit facilities; At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in development projects/programs or support for actors  in the private sector, formal and informal, a good knowledge of Sierra Leone private sector in general and  rural entrepreneurship in particular; 

Experience in supporting businesses, especially in rural areas; 

Experience working in an international NGO is desirable; 

Ability to undertake frequent field missions; 

Experience coordinating activities and supervising teams; 

Proficiency in office software, accounting management software and new communication technologies;  Ability to work independently, rigorously, and committed; 

Knowledge and/or experience in leading activities in rural areas would be an asset; Knowledge of the energy sector in Sierra Leone is an asset. 

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES 

Proactive problem-solving;  

Pragmatism, flexibility and adaptability; 

Sensitivity, diplomacy, patience, pedagogy, listening skills;  

Interest in rural economic development, renewable energy, climate change and sustainable development; Mastery of change-oriented techniques and approaches; 

Strong analytical and writing skills;

Methodical mindset with an eye for detail; 

Ability to coordinate the work of diverse internal and external stakeholders; 

Excellent command of written and spoken English and local languages. 

NON–PRIORITY SKILLS THAT WOULD BE HIGHLY VALUED 

Knowledges in gender issues and women’s economic empowerment in West Africa, particularly in rural areas; Knowledge of the dynamics of the social and solidarity entrepreneurship sector; 

Ability to lead inclusive change management workshops with teams and organizations. 

CONDITIONS AND APPLICATION 

Status: Sierra Leonese fixed-term contract; 

Remuneration: Category F1 or F2 on internal Geres Sierra Leone salary grid, depending on profile; 

Contract duration: 12 months (renewable subject to satisfactory results); 

Desired starting date: 18th of August 2025; 

Documents and procedure to apply:  

. CV (Curiculum Vitae) – 1 to 2 pages maximum  

. Motivation letter (maximum 1 page), clearly explaining: 

1. Your motivation to work for Geres Sierra Leone; 
2. Your relevant skills and experience for the position (without repeating your CV); 
3. What sets you apart from other candidates; 
4. Your expectations for this role. 
5. To be uploaded no later than the 15th of July 2025 at midnight, via the following online application  form:
6. Completing the online application form is mandatory for your application to be taken in consideration.** 

N.B. :  

– Applications from women are strongly encouraged. 

– Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted  from the 23rd of July 2025. 

– Interviews & tests would tentitavely be organized between the 28th of July to the 13th of August 2025. 

Geres has a General Security Policy (GSP) and security procedures specific to Sierra Leone. Geres also has an  internal policy to against sexist behavior and sexual harassment. The incumbent will be briefed on these  procedures on arrival at Geres. 

FOLLOW LINKS BELOW TO APPLY;

**Only in the event that you encounter difficulties in completing or uploading the documents via the online form,  please use the following email address: sierra-leone@geres.eu