Social Enterprise Officer Job Vacancy at ZanzAdapt Project, Zanzibar December 2025

Social Enterprise Officer – ZanzAdapt Project

Duty Station: Unguja Island, Zanzibar (based at CFP office, Mombasa area, Zanzibar City)
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Project: Zanzibar Women’s Leadership in Adaptation (ZanzAdapt)
Funder: Global Affairs Canada

Project Background

The Zanzibar Women’s Leadership in Adaptation (ZanzAdapt) project aims to improve gender equality and strengthen nature-based climate adaptation capacity in vulnerable coastal communities on Pemba and Unguja Islands, Zanzibar. The project focuses on women-led, nature-based enterprises, climate-resilient agroforestry, mangrove ecosystem conservation, and inclusive economic development.

The Social Enterprise Officer will join a dynamic team of local and international staff to support women entrepreneurs through enterprise development, incubation, leadership training, market access, and financial inclusion initiatives.

Purpose of the Position

The Social Enterprise Officer will play a critical role in supporting women entrepreneurs through direct enterprise training, business incubation, coaching, and network development. The role also focuses on improving market access by engaging horticulture investors, processors, exporters, and buyers.

In addition to supporting individual entrepreneurs, the officer will work with community groups to establish and manage Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and other financial structures within community forest management committees and community-owned processing facilities.

Key Responsibilities and Performance Areas

1. Enterprise Development

• Conduct community consultations to identify and select women beneficiaries for business network formation.
• Support women-led, nature-based enterprise development in agroforestry and conservation livelihoods.
• Assist women entrepreneurs in developing, implementing, and monitoring short- and long-term business plans.
• Support women dependent on natural resources, particularly mangrove forests, to benefit from market-driven, eco-friendly investments.
• Facilitate peer-to-peer women’s business networks in collaboration with beneficiaries and ZanzAdapt gender justice specialists.
• Organize periodic networking and convening events to strengthen collaboration and generate shared market opportunities.
• Support women’s groups to formalize enterprises to access local, regional, and international markets, including community-owned processing facilities.
• Facilitate registration and linkages with formal support institutions, including economic development agencies, financial institutions, and relevant government services.
• Develop and implement marketing strategies, including social media campaigns, to link beneficiaries with buyers, investors, processors, and exporters.
• Engage relevant authorities to support branding, product quality assurance, and market compliance.
• Monitor MSME performance and report enterprise progress to CFP/CFI management.
• Develop business data collection tools and support evidence-based decision-making.
• Design and execute marketing strategies to increase sales for women-led enterprises.

2. Enterprise and Leadership Training

• Conduct community consultations to identify and select women beneficiaries for Training of Trainers (ToT) and off-site leadership programmes.
• Develop training curricula aligned with ZanzAdapt objectives, including Gender Equality Gap Analysis and Action Plans.
• Design and deliver training on financial literacy, business planning, enterprise management, marketing, value addition, and leadership.
• Facilitate gender-transformative training sessions, study tours, and learning events.
• Establish and enforce quality control and quality assurance standards for ZanzAdapt-supported products.
• Ensure women entrepreneurs have the knowledge and resources to maintain product quality standards.

3. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Conduct baseline surveys prior to training activities.
• Implement continuous participatory monitoring and evaluation with beneficiaries and integrate learning into programme improvements.
• Develop activity concept notes and budgets in line with organizational procurement and activity approval protocols (monthly, quarterly, and annual).
• Document and promote success stories in alignment with the ZanzAdapt communications and media strategy.
• Develop and implement monthly and quarterly work plans in collaboration with field staff and management.
• Maintain activity tracking systems and prepare quarterly reports on programme indicators, beneficiary engagement, and progress against targets.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• At least 4 leadership trainings delivered to women ToT beneficiaries on nature-based climate adaptation enterprises.
• 360 women holding leadership or decision-making roles in project-supported enterprises or governance structures by project completion.
• 75%+ of women trainees demonstrate increased leadership skills and agency, evidenced by at least one new leadership or governance action.
• 375+ agroforestry beneficiaries gain access to gender-responsive physical resources or facilities.
• 50%+ of agroforestry beneficiaries report access to appropriate post-harvest processing equipment or facilities.
• 1,800 direct beneficiaries adopt climate-adaptive agroforestry practices and technologies.
• Number of business plans developed and implemented.
• Number of products formalized and available in the market.
• Percentage increase in sales among women entrepreneurs.
• Number of authorities engaged to support women entrepreneurs.
• Percentage of women benefiting financially from secure, market-driven natural resource enterprises.

Note: At least 80% of total beneficiaries must identify as women.

Qualifications and Abilities

Experience and Education

• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in community training, stakeholder engagement, and government collaboration.
• Relevant degree and/or certification in agriculture, community development, business development, or a related field.
• Experience designing and implementing community-based development initiatives.
• Practical experience with VSLAs and other community financial schemes.
• Familiarity with robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Experience working with NGOs, government institutions, and community groups.
• Experience applying gender-responsive approaches and understanding women’s roles in natural resource management.
• Experience working within coastal Islamic cultures and traditions.

Core Competencies

• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust with diverse stakeholders.
• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively to achieve project and organizational goals.
• Facilitation: Strong group facilitation and training delivery skills.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to identify challenges and develop practical solutions.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures accuracy and completeness in data and reporting.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Innovative and proactive in supporting women-led enterprises.
• Accountability: Demonstrates responsibility, follow-through, and ethical conduct.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant data analysis and reporting tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Swahili.
• Familiarity with online collaboration platforms such as Google Workspace and Zoom.
• Technical expertise in horticulture, gender equity, mangrove ecosystem restoration, and conservation is an added advantage.

Compensation and Benefits

• One (1) full-time permanent position.
• 40 hours per week.
• 28 days of paid annual leave.
• Organization-provided health benefits.
• Competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications.
• Periodic travel between project locations; occasional travel outside working areas as required.
• Project-related travel and necessary equipment will be provided.

Application Details

Interested candidates should submit:

• A current CV, and
• A cover letter

Email: jobs@forestsinternational.org
Subject Line: Social Enterprise Officer
Application Deadline: 1 January (midnight, EAT)

This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.