I.            Job Summary:  

Who are we?

As a global leader, CARE is shaping the future of the humanitarian and development sector. Each year, we deliver support and services to millions of people in over a hundred countries. We do this by focusing on our mission and living the values that drive our organization. A career at CARE is an opportunity to be part of a movement that brings communities together to solve complex problems and foster lasting change throughout the world. We seek individuals who are passionate about humanitarian and development work, collaborate well with others, embrace learning and innovation, and deliver results.

What it’s like to work at CARE?

CARE is a mission-driven international humanitarian aid and development organization that offers an opportunity to work with people across the world. Not a day will go by that you won’t learn something profound, meet an expert, or write a sentence that can change a life. We are committed to an environment where everyone can succeed.

Scope of Work:

In collaboration with SOS Children’s Villages Bangladesh, CARE is going to implement a new project named Jagoron. The project is a three-year initiative grounded in Integrated Youth Empowerment Approach that aims to ensure youth gain relevant skills, practical entrepreneurial support, organizational strength, and strategic advocacy, all rooted in sustainable green economy principles for long-term impact.

The project will equip youth with demand-driven skills and entrepreneurial innovative support system for future work; maximize youth contribution by strengthening youth-led organizations (YLOs); and build an enabling environment for youth by reinforcing effective local youth systems.

The Entrepreneurship Development officer will play a pivotal role within Project. This initiative aims to empower youth to advance economically by fostering skills development through tailored training and establishing linkages with development projects and private sector companies. The Enterprise Development officer will provide capacity building of youth entrepreneurs, providing essential startup support, and linking them with financial institutions and other sources of capital to enhance their competitiveness and productivity. S/he will actively cultivate partnerships and collaborative initiatives with key stakeholders, including private sector companies, government agencies, financial institutions, other donor-funded development projects, and business associations.

The Key responsibilities of this position include facilitating entrepreneurship training to target groups, and equipping youth groups with the knowledge and skills to save collectively and access to finance for startup capital.

In addition, s/he will work closely with local communities, NGOs, and private organizations to promote inclusive and sustainable enterprise development practices, ensuring that the project's goals of economic empowerment and resilience are achieved.

II. Responsibilities and Tasks:  

% of Time

Responsibility # 1: Operationalize Entrepreneurship Development:

30%

• Take the lead in developing strategic plans for enterprise development initiatives aimed at empowering youth entrepreneurs, ensuring alignment with project objectives and in collaboration with SOS.
• Facilitate the establishment of a Youth Challenge Fund that will provide grants and technical support for YLOs and youth entrepreneurs to set up social and climate-focused businesses.
• Roll out planned entrepreneurship development activities and the Youth Challenge Fund at the field level in collaboration with SOS and other stakeholders.

Responsibility # 2: Support youth entrepreneurship:

30%

• Develop and conduct tailored training programs to enhance business skills such as business planning, financial management, marketing, and product development for youth entrepreneurs.
• Provide comprehensive support for youth entrepreneurs, including guidance on business registration, access to startup capital, mentorship, and technical assistance.
• Assist youth entrepreneurs in market access through market intelligence, facilitating market linkages, and identifying value chain opportunities.
• Deliver technical support for business planning, legal compliance, and demand-supply value chain integration, ensuring inclusiveness for marginalized identities.
• Mobilize youth business owners, including women and marginalized groups, to mentor emerging entrepreneurs in social enterprises and climate-smart practices.
• Strengthen existing entrepreneur networks by establishing governance mechanisms and building their capacity for advocacy and group negotiation.

Responsibility # 3: Facilitating Access to Finance for Entrepreneurs:

20%

• Facilitate linkages between youth entrepreneurs and financial institutions, offering guidance on financial literacy, loan applications, and investment pitches.
• Collaborate with private sector partners to provide mentorship and investment opportunities.
• Provide tailored assistance to awarded youth entrepreneurs under the project ,Youth Challenge Fund  including incubation, upscaling, and product/service design.

Responsibility # 4: Collaboration, coordination and communication with relevant stakeholders:

15%

• Maintain partnerships with private sector companies, financial institutions, NGOs, and other stakeholders to create opportunities for youth entrepreneurs.
• Facilitate collaboration between stakeholders to support startup ventures and economic empowerment initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team to monitor and evaluate enterprise development and Youth Challenges Fund interventions, collecting data to inform adjustments.
• Support grant disbursement to YLOs and youth entrepreneurs to advance social and climate-focused businesses

General Responsibilities on Safety and Security, and Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults

5%

As part of this role, the job holder must adhere to and support CARE Bangladesh’s Safety and Security policy and systems as part of their day-to-day duties and comply with safety & security protocols and directives, including reporting. Staff must maintain situational and self–awareness and be aware of the safety – security-related consequences of their actions upon themselves, their team, and the organization.

CARE is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity, and financial misconduct, and expects staff to promote the welfare of children, young people, and adults always.  CARE expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our Code of Conduct.  We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate this commitment are recruited to work with us.

All CARE staff must uphold ethical standards, following codes of conduct to prevent abuse, including sexual harassment, exploitation, and neglect. Regular monitoring ensures accountability to uphold these principles and support our mission of social justice and poverty alleviation.

III. Reporting to:  

Project Manager

IV.         Working Conditions:  

Based at CARE Bangladesh Khulna Regional office

5. Qualification:

• Master's degree in business administration, Economics, Development Studies, Entrepreneurship, or equivalent combination of education.
• Minimum 3 years of total experience along with 2 years in Market Systems & enterprise development, entrepreneurship, or related fields, with a focus on youth empowerment and economic development.
• Strong understanding of business development principles, including finance, marketing, and operations.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing enterprise development programs, preferably in Bangladesh or similar contexts.
• Proven track record of establishing partnerships with the private sector, financial institutions, and other stakeholders.