Financial Literacy and Business Mentorship Consultant for Grant Recipients
Organizational Context
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a UN agency dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration. In Uzbekistan, IOM is implementing the UK-funded "Central Asia Safe Migration" project, which supports returning migrants through business development grants. This consultancy role is within the Labour Mobility Division, contributing to the effective reintegration and sustainable livelihoods of grant recipients.
Job Purpose
This consultancy aims to provide essential business development grants and tailored mentoring to returning migrants in Uzbekistan, funded by the UK's "Central Asia Safe Migration" project. The consultant will support selected grantees in effectively managing their businesses and livelihoods, ensuring the sustainable use of grant-provided assets. The role focuses on enhancing financial literacy, business management capacity, and overall business continuity. By offering practical advice and training, the consultant will help grantees navigate financial challenges, maintain viable income-generating activities, and strengthen their economic reintegration, ultimately contributing to the project's success in promoting safe and dignified migration.
Responsibilities
The consultant will conduct initial assessments of grant recipients' financial literacy and business needs. They will deliver practical training on financial literacy and basic business management, covering budgeting, cash-flow, profit calculation, and responsible asset use. Individual and group mentoring will be provided, focusing on tailored advice for specific income-generating activities like agriculture, livestock, sewing, and small-scale production. Guidance will be offered on financial planning, savings, debt management, and pricing. The consultant will also advise on the effective use, maintenance, and preservation of grant-supported assets, and provide support on business continuity and risk management, including seasonal fluctuations and market changes. Recommendations for corrective actions to address financial or operational challenges will be given. Additionally, the consultant will guide grantees on grant compliance and report common challenges, risks, and best practices to IOM to enhance the grant scheme's sustainability.
Work Experience
Requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in financial literacy, business development, entrepreneurship support, livelihood assistance, or mentoring/coaching of micro- and small-scale businesses. Demonstrated experience providing practical financial and business advice to individuals with income-generating activities or micro-enterprises is essential. Experience in agriculture, livestock, sewing/tailoring, small-scale production, trade, or services is advantageous, as is experience with returning migrants or grant beneficiaries.
Skills
Financial literacy, business management, entrepreneurship support, livelihood assistance, mentoring, coaching, financial planning, budgeting, cash-flow management, income/expenditure tracking, profit calculation, pricing, savings, debt management, business continuity, risk management, asset management, communication, interpersonal skills, training delivery.