Purpose:

A mission-driven organisation committed to advancing agricultural growth and supporting farming communities is seeking Business Support Assistant - Southern Region who will be responsible to provide direct business advisory, coaching, and operational support to black citrus growers participating in the company’s enterprise development programmes. The Business Support Officer assists emerging enterprises in improving governance, financial management, market access readiness, and compliance with industry and funding requirements. The role functions as an on-the-ground advisor and implementation partner, ensuring that each enterprise is supported along its journey toward commercial sustainability and independence

Key Job Outputs:

Enterprise Diagnostics and Business Planning

• Conduct detailed enterprise diagnostics assessing governance, operations, financial performance, and market potential
• Support the development and refinement of business plans, operational budgets, and cash flow projections
• Identify risks, gaps, and capacity-building needs within supported enterprises
• Collaborate with the Head: Enterprise Development to align diagnostic findings with tailored interventions

Business Advisory and Coaching

• Provide ongoing advisory support on day-to-day business operations, HR, finance, and administration
• Coach growers and management teams on financial management, record-keeping, and reporting practices
• Guide enterprises in developing policies, job descriptions, and basic internal controls
• Support performance improvement through regular site visits, mentorship, and feedback sessions

Market Access and Commercial Readiness

• Facilitate linkages between enterprises and potential buyers, packhouses, logistics providers, and export agents
• Assist enterprises in achieving the necessary compliance and certification for market access
• Coordinate the implementation of interventions that enhance operational efficiency and product competitiveness
• Track the progress of enterprises toward commercial graduation benchmarks

Finance Readiness and Funding Support

• Collaborate with the Development Finance Specialist to prepare funding documentation and loan/grant applications
• Verify and support recordkeeping and financial reporting required by funders or credit providers
• Monitor use of funds and ensure compliance with funding agreements
• Provide input on financial literacy and business management workshops for growers

Monitoring, Reporting and Knowledge Sharing

• Collect and maintain accurate data on enterprise performance indicators
• Contribute to quarterly and annual reports, highlighting progress, lessons learned, and challenges
• Use data and observations to inform programme adjustments and targeted support
• Participate in internal knowledge-sharing sessions to promote best practices across the company network

Stakeholder Coordination and Representation

• Serve as the day-to-day liaison between growers, the company, and relevant support stakeholders
• Represent the company in local forums, training events, and community engagements where required
• Strengthen relationships between enterprises, industry associations, and local agribusiness networks
• Uphold the company’s reputation as a trusted development partner and facilitator of transformation

Core Competencies:

• Integrity and dependability
• Empathy and interpersonal sensitivity
• Analytical and problem-solving ability
• Initiative and results orientation
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Communication and facilitation skills
• Adaptability and perseverance
• Business Advisory Expertise – Ability to assess enterprise performance and provide targeted business and operational guidance
• Financial Literacy – Sound understanding of bookkeeping, budgeting, and financial management principles
• Enterprise Development Knowledge – Familiarity with SME growth cycles, incubation, and acceleration models
• Stakeholder Management – Builds and maintains effective relationships with growers, funders, and market partners
• Monitoring and Reporting – Capable of collecting, interpreting, and reporting performance data accurately
• Communication and Coaching – Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills for mentoring and capacity building
• Planning and Coordination – Skilled at organising multiple priorities and supporting field-based programmes efficiently
• Office and Data Tools: Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• CRM/Monitoring Systems
• Data Collection
• Document Management
• Communication Tools

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Development Studies, Agribusiness, or a related field

Experience:

• Minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in business advisory, SME support, or agricultural enterprise development
• Experience working directly with smallholder or emerging farmers preferred
• Familiarity with donor-funded or enterprise growth programmes is advantageous
• Valid Driver’s License

Salary: Market related

Should you not hear from us within 2 weeks, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful.

All personal information received will be processed in accordance with The Protection of Personal Information Act No. 4 OF 2013