Business Development Consultant

We are particularly interested in commercially oriented professionals with demonstrated experience in enterprise development, supplier development, market access programmes and business matchmaking.

Key Responsibilities

1. Enterprise Profiling and Market Readiness Assessment

• Conduct onsite assessments of participating MSMEs to evaluate commercial and operational readiness.
• Develop comprehensive business profiles for participating enterprises.
• Evaluate products, services, production capacity, pricing, branding, packaging and market positioning.
• Identify gaps in regulatory compliance, quality standards, certification and financial or operational capacity.
• Recommend practical interventions to improve competitiveness and access to markets.

2. Market Research and Opportunity Identification

• Identify prospective buyers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, corporate procurement departments and government institutions.
• Conduct market research to identify commercially viable opportunities for participating MSMEs.
• Analyse buyer requirements, including pricing, quality standards, procurement procedures and supply volumes.
• Identify relevant value chains and supply opportunities aligned with participating enterprises' capabilities.

3. Business Development and Market Readiness Support

• Assist MSMEs in developing company profiles, product catalogues and effective business presentations.
• Provide guidance on pricing, costing, packaging, product positioning and market differentiation.
• Support enterprises in preparing professional proposals, quotations and buyer presentations.
• Advise on buyer compliance requirements, certifications and operational improvements.
• Support digital and e-commerce market readiness where appropriate.

4. Buyer-Supplier Matchmaking and Market Linkages

• Identify and engage potential buyers and strategic commercial partners.
• Arrange and facilitate buyer-supplier meetings, business networking engagements and procurement forums.
• Coordinate business pitching opportunities, product demonstrations and sampling sessions.
• Introduce participating MSMEs to prospective buyers and relevant supply chains.
• Facilitate commercially meaningful partnerships and sustainable market relationships.

5. Sales Conversion and Business Growth Support

• Follow up on commercial leads and prospective business opportunities.
• Assist MSMEs in responding to buyer requests, quotations and procurement requirements.
• Facilitate progression from initial buyer engagement to orders, contracts and repeat business.
• Identify capacity constraints that may prevent enterprises from fulfilling commercial opportunities.
• Track commercial outcomes, including sales generated, contracts secured and other measurable market linkages.

6. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of MSME assessments, buyer engagements and market opportunities.
• Document business linkages, procurement leads, quotations, purchase orders and contracts.
• Contribute to monthly progress reports and market linkage outcome reports.
• Monitor commercial performance and provide practical recommendations for sustainable enterprise growth.
• Support final programme evaluation and close-out reporting.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• A recognised Bachelor's Degree (NQF Level 7) in one of the following disciplines:

o Business Management

o Economics

o Marketing

o Supply Chain Management

o Development Studies

• At least three years of demonstrable professional experience in enterprise development, market access and market linkage programmes.
• Practical experience facilitating buyer-supplier relationships, business matchmaking and market access initiatives.
• A demonstrated track record of developing business profiles for enterprises.
• Experience working directly with MSMEs or small businesses to strengthen their commercial capabilities.

Candidates with five or more years of directly relevant professional experience will be strongly preferred.

Preferred Experience and Competencies

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Proven experience implementing enterprise or supplier development programmes.
• Strong networks among corporate buyers, retailers, distributors, procurement departments and other market participants.
• Knowledge of South African MSME development challenges and market access barriers.
• Experience organising and facilitating buyer-supplier engagements.
• A results-oriented approach to converting commercial opportunities into measurable business outcomes.
• Strong business analysis, market research and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, negotiation, presentation and report-writing abilities.
• The capacity to manage multiple enterprises and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Familiarity with procurement processes, supply chains and supplier onboarding requirements.
• Ability and willingness to travel to participating enterprises throughout the specified KwaZulu-Natal districts.
• Communicate fluently and confidently in isiZulu with MSME owners and other stakeholders.

Expected Deliverables

Successful consultants will contribute to the delivery of:

• Detailed MSME business profiles and market readiness assessments.
• Market intelligence and prospective buyer databases.
• Enterprise-specific market access recommendations and support interventions.
• Documented buyer-supplier matchmaking engagements.
• Verifiable commercial opportunities, business leads, purchase orders, contracts or other market linkages.
• Monthly programme progress updates and evidence of commercial outcomes.
• Final reporting on measurable improvements in MSME market access and business growth.

Application Requirements

Interested candidates should submit:

1. An updated CV clearly detailing relevant projects, employment periods, responsibilities and measurable achievements, including A brief description of previous enterprise development, market access or buyer-supplier linkage assignments

2. A copy of their relevant Bachelor's Degree qualification.

3. Details of at least two contactable professional references who can verify relevant project experience.

5. Their expected consulting daily rate in South African Rand.

5. Confirmation of availability for the proposed six-month assignment and willingness to travel within KwaZulu-Natal.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a car/ reliabe transport?

Language:

• isiZulu (Required)

Location:

• KwaZulu-Natal (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 75% (Required)

Work Location: On the road