Context

Building Markets is an award-winning non-profit organization that creates jobs and encourages economic growth in crisis-affected economies by connecting competitive local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to new opportunities. Through its approach, the organization has built a network of more than 26,000 verified SMEs, assisted them in winning over $1.3 billion in contracts, and helped create over 70,000 jobs in Afghanistan, Haiti, Liberia, Mozambique, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste. Building Markets is headquartered in New York City. For more information, visit www.buildingmarkets.org.

Building Markets is operating in Yangon since 2012 and has profiled more than 3,500 businesses in Myanmar, helping hundreds of local SMEs to find new clients and get new contracts.

In 2018, with funding from Coca-Cola Foundation, Building Markets doubled-down on the waste management and recycling sector, which presents a serious environmental problem as well as an economic opportunity for Myanmar. Since launch, the program has generated indirect and direct outcomes for 137 SMEs including enhancing business practices, increasing the amount of recyclable items collected, diverting recyclable material from landfills, enabling access to markets, improving health and safety conditions, and engaging communities to become stakeholders in the reduction of waste.

Following the successful completion of the first phase of this program, Building Markets is currently focused on expanding its work to new sectors, locations and services, all with a view to reduce waste, keep recyclable material out of landfills, while supporting the businesses and entrepreneurs who make that happen.

We are growing our small team, and are hiring for several new positions that will help us achieve some ambitious goals. If you are passionate about supporting small businesses, care about the planet and are hungry to join a close-knit team who enjoy working together to tackle some pretty big problems, this is the job for you!

Job Summary

The Training Manager will oversee the delivery of an effective training and mentorship program targeting Building Markets’ network of SMEs in Myanmar. This includes in-person training as well as interactive workshops and coaching sessions that respond to the varying needs of businesses, particularly, businesses in Myanmar’s waste and recycling sector.

The ideal candidate is a results-driven team-player with excellent interpersonal, communication, group-facilitation and teaching skills. You think of learning as a lifelong pursuit and have a proven track record of designing and delivering high impact training curriculum and mentorship programs (known at Building Markets as the Champions Program).

The candidate should have a broad and deep understanding of local market dynamics to ensure training materials are in line with, and responsive to, business needs.

The Training Manager will also be responsible for building a strong network of mentors, including Myanmar entrepreneurs who can partner with Building Markets’ network of SMEs.

In addition to supervising one other staff member on the training team, the Training Manager will recruit and direct any external training content developers and service providers. The Training Manager reports to the Country Director.

Responsibilities and Duties

Tasks for this position include, but are not limited to the following:

Planning

• Develop an understanding of, and be able to describe the mission, objectives and services offered by Building Markets to SME clients in Myanmar;
• Review existing training and mentorship materials to determine appropriateness and continued relevance;

Responding to feedback, the following topics/ thematic areas will be prioritized for training and mentorship, however this list is not exhaustive in order to remain responsive to the needs of SMEs:

• Operations, technology and marketing
• Financial management and business planning
• Occupational, safety and hazard
• Human resources and labor rights
• Environmental, social and governance
• Management and supervisory skills
• Identify SME training and mentorship needs by undertaking an internal assessment of current offerings by business service providers, as well as qualitative and quantitative feedback from SMEs, colleagues and relevant stakeholders;
• Improve, finalize and lead the implementation of a robust training and mentorship work plan that responds to the needs of businesses, with clear objectives, targets, a timeline, and appropriate resources; and
• Recruit, mobilize and manage appropriate resources to implement the above-mentioned work plan. This may include outreach and oversight of external training service providers, trainers, business mentors/ consultants, subject matter experts, etc.

Training Services Development

• Design and refine the training curriculum – including but not limited to modules, activities, workshops, handouts pre- and post- tests, in line with the training and mentorship work plan;
• Design and refine the mentorship program – including one-on-one consultations with businesses, roadmaps, and other tools and resources that will be provided to SME clients, in line with the training and mentorship work plan;
• Create an environment that is conducive to SME learning across stages of business maturity by actively facilitating training and mentorship sessions, interactive and experiential workshops, coaching sessions and one-on-one consultations with businesses;
• Continuously evaluate organizational performance to ensure Building Markets offers high quality, up-to-date training content, materials and services. This includes an alignment with any new/existing regulatory developments, business needs and performance;
• Cultivate strong relationships with SMEs to motivate participation and engagement with program services, including regular outreach and follow-up;
• Identify opportunities to create learning and networking experiences between Building Markets SME network and other stakeholders (e.g. financial providers, potential buyers); and
• Ensure training sessions, workshops and coaching sessions are conducted regularly, effectively and efficiently according to the training and mentorship work plan at all Project Areas (Yangon, Mandalay, Mawlamyine, etc.)

Workflows and Best Practices

• Adopt training and mentorship best practices in line with industry appropriate standards;
• Develop and maintain documentation and planning guidelines for Building Markets network of mentors/advisors/trainers; and
• Document and archive all program materials on Building Markets file sharing system.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Ensure impact tracking/data management of all training program activities, including service providers’ work (if any), are in line with Building Markets’ monitoring and evaluation guidelines;
• Ensure efficient systems are in place that are in line with Building Markets’ guidelines and accurately track results and impact of all training related activities (in-person classroom training, mentorship/coaching);
• Ensure results and success stories are catalogued and provided to the communications team in a timely manner;
• Coordinate and collaborate with functional departments (e.g. research, business development, communications etc.) and stakeholders, as directed by the Country Director; and
• Prepare and present a monthly report on training results to the Country Director to be shared with Building Markets HQ.

Reporting Lines

Reports to: Country Director

Supervisory: Training Officer, and any related service providers.

Qualifications and Education

Required:

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, a related field, or substantial equivalent in professional experience;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in developing, designing, and delivering effective training curriculum in a business setting; and
• Fluency in English and Myanmar with excellent speaking, writing, and presentation skills.

What we’re keen to see in your application:

• Proven familiarity with the Myanmar market, including business regulations;
• Proven familiarity of the SME community in Myanmar and training needs, particularly knowledge of the waste and recycling sector;
• Knowledge of national and international procurement policy (e.g. the policies of international NGOs and corporations operating in Myanmar);
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail - Ability to perform multiple tasks and meet critical deadlines, while maintaining accuracy and quality;
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills;
• Demonstrated management experience;
• Results-oriented manager with great interpersonal skills;
• Entrepreneurial and resourceful attitude;
• Excellent power point skills; and
• Interest in environment protection, sustainable development and private sector development in Myanmar.

Location: Yangon, Myanmar (Positions to be fulfilled in Yangon, with travel to other project locations)

Duration: 12 months, with the possibility for extension depending on performance and funding. Starting immediately.

Compensation: Competitive salary, commensurate with experience

Applications

If you meet these qualifications, please send the following, attached in an email to myanmar@buildingmarkets.org with the subject line “Training Manager - Myanmar”:

• A letter of application, under your own authorship;
• A complete resume/CV;
• Include (3) three names of professional references with email and contact phone numbers.

DO NOT SEND copies of diplomas or certificates, or other documents other than the above.

DO NOT SEND any documents in .jpg, .gif, or any other file formats other than the above.

DO NOT SUBMIT your application in person or otherwise contact Building Markets unless you receive an email response. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further evaluation, which may include an in-person testing session and at least one in-person interview.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted and interviewed, as we receive applications, and until the positions are fulfilled.

Submissions not fitting the above criteria will not be considered.

Job Email id: myanmar(at)buildingmarkets.org