Organizational Background

Akhter Hameed Khan Foundation (AHKF) is a not-for-profit organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and certified by the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP). AHKF is implementing a long-term Enterprise, Livelihood, Training and Mentorship (E-LTM) project to support micro and small enterprises (MSMEs) in three districts of Pakistan: Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, and Karachi (Orangi). The project aims to strengthen MSMEs by providing training, mentorship, and business linkages, thereby enhancing revenue generation, sustainability, and employability.

Role Purpose

The Enterprise Growth Rahbar/Mentor will serve as the frontline outreach and advisory resource of the project. Working under the supervision of the SME Outreach & Training Facilitator (OTF), the Rahbar/Mentor will identify, register, and mobilize MSMEs in district slums and semi-urban areas. S/he will provide continuous mentorship, monitor enterprise growth, and advise on improvements. The position also links MSMEs with training opportunities, business associations, and relevant institutions to foster sustainable growth.

Key Responsibilities

1. Outreach, Identification & Registration

• Conduct baseline outreach in targeted slums/semi-urban communities to identify MSMEs.
• Screen potential participants against project selection criteria.
• Support registration and profiling of eligible MSMEs into the project database.
• Ensure equitable inclusion of both men and women entrepreneurs.

2. Mobilization & Capacity Support

• Mobilize MSME participants for project trainings, workshops, and mentorship sessions.
• Encourage women and marginalized groups to actively participate.
• Provide ongoing advisory support to strengthen enterprise planning and operations.

3. Mentorship & Growth Monitoring

• Conduct regular follow-up visits to MSMEs to monitor business growth.
• Document progress, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Advise MSMEs on financial management, marketing, customer engagement, and product development.
• Provide hands-on mentoring for digital adoption and use of innovative business practices.

4. Networking & Linkages

• Facilitate connections between MSMEs and local market actors, suppliers, and buyers.
• Build linkages with chambers of commerce, NGOs, microfinance providers, vocational institutes, IT houses, and business development organizations.
• Support participation of MSMEs in business fairs, exhibitions, and networking forums.

5. Reporting & Coordination

• Maintain records of MSME outreach, registration, and mentoring activities.
• Submit regular progress reports to the SME Outreach & Training Facilitator.
• Share success stories and lessons learned with project teams.
• Coordinate with community leaders and institutions for smooth implementation.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Commerce, Social Sciences, or relevant field (master’s preferred).
• Minimum 2–3 years of relevant experience in enterprise development, MSME outreach, livelihoods, or training mobilization.
• Experience working with communities in slums or semi-urban areas.
• Strong facilitation and mobilization skills.
• Basic knowledge of business planning, financial literacy, and enterprise operations.
• Ability to build linkages with market actors and institutions.
• Fluency in Urdu and local language of the district; basic English proficiency preferred.

Key Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Community mobilization and participatory approaches.
• Ability to mentor and advise small entrepreneurs practically.
• Gender sensitivity and inclusivity mindset.
• Self-motivated, field-oriented, and results-driven.

Deliverables

• Verified database of MSMEs registered in the project.
• SMEs are successfully generating as well as enhancing their revenue and creating jobs through SMEs
• Achieving their monthly targets, follow ups, mentoring and follow-up reports.
• Documentation of growth indicators (e.g., revenue, new employment, market linkages).
• Records of MSME participation in trainings and networking events.
• Case studies/success stories highlighting impact at the grassroots level.