About this role
Small Business Development Trainer
Project Description: Savvy business owners are invited to support young people in Eswatini become successful entrepreneurs.
Youth across Eswatini continue to face socio‑economic challenges driven by high unemployment and limited access to business-related skill development opportunities, leaving many young people unable to start or sustain income‑generating enterprises. Addressing youth unemployment is a government priority, yet systemic knowledge gaps continue to limit progress, making outside support essential to strengthen capacity, expand livelihood pathways, and create long-term opportunities for Eswatini’s young people. Super Buddies Club, a youth-centered non-governmental organization, is working to address these challenges through a new academy, which will offer vocational, digital, and entrepreneurship training. However, the organization requires additional expertise in developing strong market connections and access to financing.
As a Small Business Development Trainer, you will support the Super Buddies Club team to operationalize the new entrepreneurship and business hub, equipping the youth with the tools to develop business plans, strengthen their digital and artificial intelligence (AI) competencies, and pursue income-generating ventures. Your support will enhance the academy’s institutional capacity and improve employment outcomes and long‑term economic resilience for young people and women in the Lubombo Region.
Required Skills: Education: BA/BS BA/BS degree in business, administration, marketing, entrepreneurship, or Business Education. Formal training in entrepreneurship.
AND
Experience working in a start-up or social enterprise or running a small business.
Experience developing business plans.
Strategic and analytical thinking skills.
Experience facilitating adult training.
Living Conditions: During training, the Volunteer will stay within a peri-urban area just outside the capital. The Volunteer will then move to their permanent site in the Hhohho Region and live in their own house within a family homestead. While electricity is widely available and most Volunteers will live with modern conveniences, Volunteers should also be prepared to live without electricity and to use a latrine, as that is the norm in rural communities. You will commute to work on foot or public transport, depending on the distance from your house to the workplace.
Activities: Train students in entrepreneurship and business management skills.
Mentor students in business registration and enterprise management.
Support proposal writing and business pitch presentations to youth funders and financial institutions.
Deliver digital skills training for remote work and online business opportunities.
Train students in social media marketing and digital branding.
Identify and facilitate student participation in trade shows and exhibitions.
Support the establishment of a commercial wing for sale of student-produced goods and services.
Strengthen partnerships with markets and financial institutions to improve youth access to opportunities.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as English language or running clubs.
Training: After the two-week orientation on topics such as health and safety, you will move to a rural/urban community where you will collaborate with the Super Buddies Club staff to assess needs and develop a work plan in line with their established goals.
Peace Corps/Eswatini will equip you with Siswati language resources and you may work with a tutor who can help you build basic language skills to connect with the community.
Job Highlights: Deepen your understanding of the complex business challenges facing African nations.
Apply your business skills to make a real impact on the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Immerse yourself in Eswatini’s vibrant culture—from traditional ceremonies and intricate beadwork to the warmth of communal living.