Business Development Officer

Job description

About the Company:
Lundazi District Women Development Association (LDWDA), established in 1994, is dedicated to improving the standard of living for small-scale farmers in the Lundazi District of the Eastern Province of Zambia. We are a member-based organization with 3,270 members (2,570 women and 700 men) working to enhance the livelihoods of rural communities.

As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainable development, we have partnered with We Effect on a Women Economic Empowerment project. This project focuses on empowering women in rural communities through access to economic opportunities, financial services, and sustainable agricultural practices. We Effect is a Swedish development organization that supports initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s roles in agriculture and improving their economic well-being.

Position Overview:
The Business Development Officer will play a crucial role in the Women Economic Empowerment project by identifying and developing business opportunities, facilitating access to markets, and supporting women in enhancing their entrepreneurial skills. This position requires a motivated and experienced individual who is passionate about improving the economic status of women in rural Zambia.

Key Responsibilities:

Support the development and implementation of business strategies for the Women Economic Empowerment project.
Identify and develop new business opportunities that will benefit female entrepreneurs and small-scale farmers.
Facilitate training and capacity-building activities to enhance women’s business and financial literacy.
Promote financial inclusion by linking women to microfinance services and savings groups.
Work closely with local women’s groups, out-grower schemes, and agricultural cooperatives to increase access to markets for women-produced goods.
Monitor and evaluate the progress of the project, preparing regular reports and updates for We Effect and management.
Advocate for gender-sensitive policies that support women’s economic empowerment.
Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including local government, community leaders, and other NGOs.
Collaborate with the marketing and communications team to raise awareness about the project’s success and impact.

Requirements:

A minimum of a Diploma in Business Administration, Economics, Gender Studies, or a related field.
Proven experience (1-3 years) in business development, community development, or women’s empowerment programs.
Strong knowledge of microfinance, agricultural value chains, and sustainable business practices.
Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
Experience working with rural women and community-based organizations.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with a diverse team.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Fluent in English; knowledge of local languages spoken in the area is an advantage.
Willingness to travel frequently within the district and surrounding areas.