Consultant – Business Mentoring and Advisory Services at Practical Action (Deadline: 10 October, 2025)
Terms of Reference
Consultant – Business Mentoring and Advisory Services
PRACTICAL ACTION
ABOUT US
We are an international development organization putting ingenious ideas to work so people in poverty can change their world.
We help people find solutions to some of the world’s toughest problems. Challenges made worse by catastrophic climate change and persistent gender inequality. We work with communities to develop ingenious, lasting, and locally owned solutions for agriculture, water and waste management, climate resilience and clean energy. And we share what works with others, so answers that start small can grow big.
We are a global change-making group. The group consists of a UK registered charity with community projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America, an independent development publishing company and a technical consulting service. We combine these specialisms to multiply our impact and help shape a world that works better for everyone.
OUR AIMS
We help people find solutions to some of the world’s toughest problems, made worse by catastrophic. climate change and persistent gender inequality. Our aims are to:
- Make agriculture work better for smallholder farmers, many of them women, so they can adapt to climate change and achieve a good standard of living.
- Help more people harness the transformational effects of clean affordable energy and reduce avoidable deaths caused by smoke from indoor stoves and fires.
- Make cities in poorer countries cleaner, healthier places to live and work.
- Build disaster resilience into the lives of people threatened by hazards – reducing the risk of hazards and minimizing their impact on lives and livelihoods.
PRACTICAL ACTION IN RWANDA
In Rwanda, we are recognized leaders in clean cooking and sustainable energy solutions. This includes ground-breaking work in solar, wind and water powered electricity generation, often delivered through independent mini grids. We bring rural communities, people in refugee camps, energy providers and decision makers together to put sustainable, clean energy solutions to work for the people who need them most.
In our strategic business plan 2021-2025, we propose to extend our current reach and scope in Rwanda by deepening our energy work and stretching our portfolio to work with small holder farmers to make agriculture work better for them.
Within our energy ambition, Practical Action is building Livelihoods of Refugee and Host Communities by Integrating Productive Use of Renewable Energy technologies in Rwanda refugee camps. This project aims to provide refugee and host communities with an expanded range of livelihood opportunities, whilst providing both appliance users and PURE appliance distributors with the training and support they require to thrive. The project will be implemented in partnership Energy Saving Trust, under the LEIA programme to deploy stand-alone off-grid solar powered appliances for productive use of renewable energy (PURE) in refugee camps and host communities in Rwanda. The project will not only generate additional livelihood opportunities for refugees but also enhance market opportunities for PURE appliance distributors. The aim is to provide access to previously unavailable technology and lay the groundwork for PURE distributors to continue operating in the camps and host communities after programme completion.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Practical Action in Rwanda seeks to recruit consultant Business Mentoring and Advisory Services. She/he will assist PURE entrepreneurs to identify their business needs, support MSMEs with marketing and business strategies, provide business training, establish market linkages, and offer practical solutions to arising issues. The Business will be assigned a portfolio of productive use enterprises requiring business advisory services.
SCOPE
|
Position title |
Consultant – Business Mentoring and Advisory Services (individual consultant) |
|
Reporting to |
PUE Business Advisor |
|
Matrix Line Manager |
Sunny Project Senior Project Lead |
|
Relationships |
Market/PUE Specialist, Working closely with Project teams and field staff and support teams |
|
Location |
Kigali, Rwanda |
|
Travel |
Regular travel to refugee camps to Mahama, Nyabiheke and Kiziba refugee camps in Rwanda. |
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide personalized mentoring to micro-business owners to support business planning, management, and growth strategies.
- Assist entrepreneurs in developing realistic and viable business and marketing plans.
- Guide businesses on financial literacy, including budgeting, bookkeeping, cash flow management, and preparation for accessing finance.
- Facilitate linkages between businesses and financial institutions or alternative financing sources.
- Conduct training sessions and workshops on entrepreneurship skills, value addition, and market development.
- Support businesses in identifying growth opportunities, diversifying products/services, and improving competitiveness.
- Encourage adoption of good business practices and accountability through regular monitoring and follow-up visits.
- Help resolve business challenges by providing practical advice and problem-solving support.
- Foster peer-to-peer learning among businesses by organizing group learning events and networks.
- Prepare and submit regular progress reports detailing mentoring activities and business outcomes.
PERSON PROFILE
To be successful in the role, the ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:
- Proven experience in business mentoring, coaching, or entrepreneurship development, preferably with micro and small enterprises. Strong knowledge of business planning, financial management, and SME development.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with diverse entrepreneurs.
- Ability to build trust, motivate, and hold entrepreneurs accountable while offering constructive advice.
- Experience linking businesses to financial services and understanding of various financing options.
- Capacity to organize and facilitate training and business networking events. Self-motivated, flexible, and able to work independently in the field.
- Experience working Humanitarian setting would be added advantage
- Relevant educational background in business, economics, Rural development, development studies, or related fields is preferred.
HOW TO APPLY
A detailed Job Profile can be accessed from Practical Action website
If you believe that you are the right candidate for the role and have the experience, skills and the ability we are looking for, please submit your application (a cover letter and updated CV) to this email: recruitment.rwanda@practicalaction.org
Clearly indicate in the subject line the position you are applying for.
The application deadline is 10th October , 2025. However, the shortlisting process will be done on the rolling basis until we find the right potential candidates for further selection steps.
We treat all applications for employment on their merits and do not take into consideration any factors that are not relevant to the job such as disability, race, age, religion, gender, gender reassignment or sexual orientation.
Practical Action is committed to safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults and as such candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further process.
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