The Business Plan Development Intern (BPDI) under the direct supervision of Ndongo United Herbalists Association’ Executive Director, will provide strategic support guiding Ndongo United Herbalists Association to design, document and begin the implementation of a three-year business plan for bulking.
Ndondo United supports small holder farmers to increase their skills in improved farming methods through training and provision of extension services. It also supplies famers with sorted and improved seeds which yield highly and these lead to increased crop production. After harvest, farmers give back a percentage of sorted seeds to Ndongo and these are passed on to other farmers to plant in the next season. The remaining seeds are sold in bulk to fetch better prices. However, Ndongo United faces challenges in bulking and has not done it to their expectations due to lack of a business plan to guide them as they bulk. The designing, documentation and implementation of a three-year business plan will enable Ndongo to become self-sustaining and will attract more farmers who sale their produce individually to bulk and get higher incomes from their produce hence alleviate poverty.
The BPD intern will spend part of the time working with staff and volunteers at Ndongo’s main office in Kinyamaseke Town Board and the rest of the time conducting field visits to get a broad perspective and understanding of Ndongo’s program beneficiaries. Typical work schedule for this position is Monday – Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, with occasional activities conducted over the weekend. Ndongo’s office in Kanyamaseke has one computer that lacks some programs like excel and the office has some access to the internet by use of a modem.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
A: Business Plan Development (approx. 60% of the time)
B: Outreach and Marketing (approx. 20% of the time)
C: Administrative Support (no more than 20% of the time)
Expected Outcomes:
Supervision and Guidance
The BPD intern functions under the direct supervision of the Executive Director and in coordination and cooperation with the Program Team. The BPD intern is expected to take significant leadership role in initiating, organizing and sustaining the processes required to complete the business plan design and development. In addition to the direct supervisor, the BPD intern will be assigned a counterpart who will serve as an additional point of resource and reference for the Business Plan Development.
Desired Qualifications
Other
Ndondo United supports small holder farmers to increase their skills in improved farming methods through training and provision of extension services. It also supplies famers with sorted and improved seeds which yield highly and these lead to increased crop production. After harvest, farmers give back a percentage of sorted seeds to Ndongo and these are passed on to other farmers to plant in the next season. The remaining seeds are sold in bulk to fetch better prices. However, Ndongo United faces challenges in bulking and has not done it to their expectations due to lack of a business plan to guide them as they bulk. The designing, documentation and implementation of a three-year business plan will enable Ndongo to become self-sustaining and will attract more farmers who sale their produce individually to bulk and get higher incomes from their produce hence alleviate poverty.
The BPD intern will spend part of the time working with staff and volunteers at Ndongo’s main office in Kinyamaseke Town Board and the rest of the time conducting field visits to get a broad perspective and understanding of Ndongo’s program beneficiaries. Typical work schedule for this position is Monday – Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, with occasional activities conducted over the weekend. Ndongo’s office in Kanyamaseke has one computer that lacks some programs like excel and the office has some access to the internet by use of a modem.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
A: Business Plan Development (approx. 60% of the time)
- Carry out a thorough and detailed analysis to understand the current bulking model, including observations, surveys, document/financial reviews, field visits and interviews to better understand Ndongo’s SWOT including the potential and ability to bulk, beneficiaries and income streams.
- Facilitate dialogues to enable staff/volunteers buy-in and contribution in designing the bulking model.
- Analyze, present, and prepare a report on the survey results, including possible approaches and methods for addressing specific opportunities. Work directly with Ndongo staff to address specific issues raised in the survey results.
- In collaboration with Ndongo staff, develop a comprehensive 3-year business plan, including short- and long-term actions and a financial projection.
- Build management staff capacity in revising and updating the business plan per implementation outcomes and progress.
B: Outreach and Marketing (approx. 20% of the time)
- Assist Ndongo staff in categorizing and identifying information pertinent for outreach and marketing efforts.
- Assist Ndongo staff to develop its international relations and outreach effort, specifically addressing how strengthened international relations could assist the organization’s success.
- Provide a written set of recommendations and/or next steps for subsequent interns to further address organization’s outreach and marketing needs.
C: Administrative Support (no more than 20% of the time)
- All internships involve providing ongoing support to various organizational initiatives, including but not limited to assisting with program documentation, filing, taking meeting minutes, and other routine clerical functions. As an intern for the organization, it is expected that you will provide occasional support of this type as needed, along with other duties and activities identified by your direct supervisor.
Expected Outcomes:
- Ndongo United Herbalists Association will have a well thought out business plan and the key staff will possess a sense of ownership over the plan and have the ability to implement it.
- Key staff will have a basic understanding of the various components of a business plan and the ability to revise contents of the business plan in the future, as needed.
- Ndongo United Herbalists Association will have a clear and written set of international relations goals and objectives and a basic understanding of the subsequent steps necessary to enhance its international network or presence.
Supervision and Guidance
The BPD intern functions under the direct supervision of the Executive Director and in coordination and cooperation with the Program Team. The BPD intern is expected to take significant leadership role in initiating, organizing and sustaining the processes required to complete the business plan design and development. In addition to the direct supervisor, the BPD intern will be assigned a counterpart who will serve as an additional point of resource and reference for the Business Plan Development.
Desired Qualifications
- Education: Pursuing or achieved a university degree in International Business, MBA and/or related field.
- Prior Experience: Previous experience working, volunteering or traveling abroad, especially in the Global South and/or with rural communities, in addition to comparable experience or education within a related field.
- Language Proficiency: Spoken and written fluency in English.
- Knowledge: Solid working knowledge of community development and the host-country’s culture/history/current events; demonstrated ability to maintain working level contacts with NGO officials and host families; and demonstrated experience and skills in business modeling and business plan development.
- Skills and Abilities: Ability to take initiative, work under minimal guidance, and in both office and field settings. Organizational and administrative skills. Excellent computer skills in word-processing and database management. Motivation and commitment to work effectively as part of an inter-cultural team. Excellent interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment under normal as well as complex and often stressful conditions.
Other
- It is suggested that the intern bring his/her own laptop as Ndongo United Herbalists Association will not be able to provide the intern with a computer.
- Ndongo United Herbalist Association does not have own means of transport. They use hired motorcycles or walk for a few miles to reach their fields.
