Youth Enterprise Development Officer
Admin & Office Jobs
- Young Africa Zimbabwe
- Expires 08 Oct 2025
- Harare
- Full Time
Job Description
Location: Chitungwiza
Organisation: Young Africa Zimbabwe
Reports to: Programmes Coordinator
Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months)
Deadline for Applications: 8 October 2025
About Young Africa Zimbabwe:
Young Africa Zimbabwe (YAZ) is a non-profit organisation, founded and registered in Zimbabwe in 1998. YA believes in the transformative power of young people and their huge potential. YA’s vision is to contribute to a world of equality and shared wealth by channelling the power of young people to transform the world around them. Young Africa empowers academically, economically and socially disadvantaged young people aged 18-35 years for entrepreneurship and employment. The Young Africa programme integrates vocational training with life skills education, entrepreneurship skills, psychosocial support and wellness services.
About the Role:
Young Africa Zimbabwe is seeking a dynamic and results-driven Youth Enterprise Development Officer with extensive experience in microfinance, enterprise development, and SME capacity building across diverse contexts. Demonstrates a strategic approach to program implementation, stakeholder engagement, and performance monitoring. Adept at designing and executing development strategies that align with financial inclusion and economic empowerment objectives. Skilled in managing cross-functional teams, developing partnerships, and ensuring compliance with impact metrics. Dedicate 50% of their time in the field to ensure quality deliverables at the field level.
Duties and Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
Program Implementation & Operational Execution
• Execute the rollout of the microlending project, adhering to established timelines and operational plans.
• Conduct sensitisation activities to educate potential entrepreneurs about the youth microlending program using both physical and digital means.
• Perform the initial screening of the youth microlending applications and assist in conducting field-based business assessments.
• Facilitate entrepreneurship training sessions and coordinate enterprise development support (EDS) activities for beneficiaries.
• Conduct regular site visits to assess business operations, monitor progress, and understand the evolving needs of entrepreneurs.
• Work directly with the loan recipients during mentorship sessions to help them refine and improve their business models.
• Coordinate all logistical arrangements for microlending program activities, including training venues, travel, and materials.
• Identify opportunities to generate more jobs and entrepreneurial ventures for youth.
• Manage and organise field visits and practical training sessions to expose the youth entrepreneurs to successful enterprises.
• Support thorough analyses of the country’s entrepreneurship development landscape, socio-economic conditions, and policy frameworks to tailor program interventions accordingly
• Contribute to the overall Young Africa program regularly to ensure smooth implementation of the enterprise development support and develop strategies to mitigate any challenges.
Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination
• Identify and build relationships with local business coaches, mentors, and trainers to provide support to loan recipients.
• Act as the primary contact for youth entrepreneurs, answering queries and providing ongoing guidance.
• Inspiring like-minded organisations to join forces with Young Africa towards creating jobs in the country and systemic change towards entrepreneurship on behalf of young entrepreneurs.
• Establish and nurture strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including governmental agencies, NGOs, private sector sectors, and other organisations involved in youth enterprise development to increase the voice and collective capacity of youth networks.
• Drive collaboration with industry experts to bring in specialised knowledge for youth.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
• Collect field data to track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as revenue, job creation, and loan repayment rates.
• Prepare regular field reports on program outcomes and challenges to inform management decisions.
• Proactively monitor repayment schedules and follow up with beneficiaries to address late or missed payments promptly.
• Document success stories, case studies, and lessons learned from the field to support program improvement and reporting.
Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications & Experience:
● Bachelor’s degree in business management, Economics, Entrepreneurship or any other related field. A master’s degree will be an added advantage
● Minimum of 5 years’ experience in microfinance, SME development, or business development with startup enterprises (at idea stage), micro enterprises (6 months to 2 years), and scalable enterprises (2 to 5 years)
● ILO-certified entrepreneurship trainer with experience in training and provision of business modelling support and coaching to SMEs
● Proficient in participatory methods for adult education as well as youth engagement
● Proven track record in managing microcredit programmes, ISALs, entrepreneurship support initiatives, and capacity building projects across various profiles of entrepreneurs.
● Strong understanding of financial products, loan cycle management, and impact measurement.
● Strong experience working with young people, especially from vulnerable backgrounds, in supporting income-generating projects
● Excellent stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and communication skills.
● Proficiency in project management tools, M&E frameworks, and reporting.
How to Apply
How to Apply:
Interested and qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and a detailed CV to humanresources.yazim@youngafrica.org by 08 October 2025. Please include “Youth Enterprise Development Officer Application” in the subject line.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
