Entrepreneurship Ecosystem and MSME Development Expert at Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI)

COOPI is an international humanitarian organization committed to reducing poverty and fostering sustainable development. We are implementing a project in Yobe State aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship ecosystems and supporting the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to enhance economic resilience and job creation.

The World Food Programme (WFP) Nigeria Country Office (CO), in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation, is implementing a project in Yobe, Northeast Nigeria on Strengthening Food Systems to Promote Increased Value Chain Employment Opportunities for the Youth in Northeast Nigeria. COOPI is currently seeking passionate and qualified individuals to join our team in the following position: Entrepreneurship Ecosystem and MSME Development Expert.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Entrepreneurship Ecosystem and MSME Development Expert

Location: Gashua, Yobe

Job Summary

• We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Entrepreneurship Ecosystem and MSME Development Expert to lead initiatives that empower entrepreneurs and strengthen MSMEs in Yobe State.
• The ideal candidate will drive capacity-building programs, enhance access to finance and markets, and develop strategies to foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Capacity Building: Oversee training programs for entrepreneurs and enterprises, providing technical advice on financial and market linkages.
• MSME Growth Strategies: Develop and implement approaches to enhance MSME scalability, including business development services (BDS), market access, and financial inclusion.
• Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development: Design and execute strategies to strengthen local entrepreneurship ecosystems, foster innovation and new MSME creation.
• Business Model Development: Create viable business models for beneficiaries and establish partnerships with institutions offering entrepreneurship training and BDS.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Economics, Development Studies, or related fields.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in entrepreneurship development, MSME support, or economic empowerment programs.
• Proven expertise in business development, financial inclusion, and market linkage strategies.
• Strong understanding of Yobe State’s entrepreneurial landscape and challenges.
• Excellent partnership-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Fluency in English (Hausa/Kanuri proficiency is an advantage).

Selection, development and prioritization of value chains as follows:

• Market analysis
• Mapping the value chain
• Analyzing value chain technical capacities
• analyzing economic performance and benchmarking competitiveness
• Analysis of external sources of competitiveness
• Analysis of economic parameters
• Formulation of an upgrading strategy for selected value chains
• Identifying constraints to chain performance
• Value chain upgrading strategy Definition of roles and responsibilities
• Implementation of upgrading strategies Monitoring and impact assessment
• Assist the project management team in the market analysis and mapping of the value chains.
• Identify constraints and propose possible interventions in response to the addressed needs and demands.
• Support the project management on the development of the agribusiness value chain as follows:
• Business environment.
• Institutional support.
• Improving access to business development services.
• Strengthening the role and capacities of business membership organizations.
• Compliance with health, safety, quality management systems, and environmental requirements.
• Specific direct interventions and programs.
• Cluster and network development.
• Support small and medium agri-enterprises.
• Investment promotion.

Application Closing Date
31st December, 2025.