Virtual Business Development Co-trainer

Virtual Business Development Co-trainer

Pally Creative Empowerment Foundation, dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs in Namibia, seeks a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP). This role focuses on strengthening the foundation's capacity to deliver essential business development and prototyping training. The VSPP will support small business owners and innovators in Namibia, particularly those in remote or restricted areas, by enhancing their virtual skills and resources.

This engagement builds on previous collaborations between the organization and the Peace Corps, with a clear understanding that the VSPP role differs from a traditional Peace Corps Volunteer.

Engagement and Tasks

The Virtual Business Development Co-trainer will collaborate with host country partners on the following key tasks:

• Co-design and deliver basic business development and prototyping training sessions during the first 2–5 weeks.
• Co-facilitate weekly collaborative product or service development sessions with entrepreneur groups.
• Support four entrepreneur groups (five people each) to develop, test, and refine at least one product or service prototype.
• Provide structured feedback and guidance during weekly mentor-supported sessions.
• Support coordination and facilitation of a virtual pitch day scheduled for August 2026.
• Support assessment, document lessons learned, and assist with program close-out activities.

VSPPs are expected to dedicate an estimated 7–9 hours per week to these tasks. Online collaboration will generally occur between 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Namibia time on weekdays and 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Namibia time on Saturdays.

Communication tools include Google Meet, Zoom, WhatsApp, and email. Adherence to the Child Protection Code of Conduct, requiring two adults for online engagement with minors, is mandatory.

Optional Additional Activities

Beyond Goal 1 (meeting needs for trained individuals), VSPPs and counterparts may identify activities aligning with Peace Corps Goal 2 (promoting better understanding of Americans) and Goal 3 (promoting better understanding of other peoples).

Essential Qualifications

• 3 years of experience in entrepreneurship support, business development, innovation, or startup-related work.
• Proven ability to mentor, coach, or support entrepreneurs, small business owners, or innovators.
• Experience facilitating or supporting virtual meetings, workshops, or collaborative online activities.

Intercultural Skills and Motivation

Candidates should demonstrate flexibility, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, ability to work independently, resourcefulness, creativity, and genuine motivation for virtual service.

Key skills/competency

• Entrepreneurship Support
• Business Development
• Prototyping
• Mentorship
• Virtual Facilitation
• Pitch Preparation
• Program Coordination
• Cross-cultural Communication
• Innovation
• Economic Development