Graduate Intern - Enterprise Support

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. We are driven by a vision of a better world: A world where across every society all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably. To make this vision a reality, we need transformations in vital agri-food, energy, and water systems. SNV contributes by strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships in these sectors. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.  
Building on 60 years of experience we support our partners with our technical and process expertise and methodological rigour. We do this in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia with a team of approximately 1,600 colleagues. By being adaptable and tailoring our approaches to these different contexts, we can contribute to impact at scale, resulting in more equitable lives for all. 

Project Overview

According to the African Development Bank in 2016, over ten million young people join the labour market in Africa every year. Although Africa has experienced rapid economic growth for over a decade, with general reduction in overall poverty levels, this growth has not been pro-poor. This has particularly affected those young people without foundational education (literacy and numeracy), adaptable or transferable skills (personal skills, leadership acumen, entrepreneurial attitude etc.) and vocational or technical skills. The result has been a large cohort of young people without access to skills and suitable work opportunities. The youth are a vulnerable section of our population, and they need support to start their lives and contribute to the economy.

It is against this background that SNV Zimbabwe, through the Youth Employment Entrepreneurship  Project Phase,  is seeking to connect with this section of the population and guide them through a trajectory that will lead to them finding (self) jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities in agriculture, renewable energy and other related green jobs. The YEE Phase II project will build on the successes and lessons from the OYE Phase I. More specifically the OYE Project will provide skills  and economic opportunities to 13,000 youth in Zimbabwe by contributing to and supporting an enabling environment around youth economic opportunities, via private and public sector partnerships; household and community engagement; improved government coordination and implementation and influencing changing of negative norms. The project will be implemented in 11 Districts in Zimbabwe namely Mutare Urban, Mutasa, Murewa, Mutoko, Goromonzi, Mangwe, Umzingwane, Matobo, Harare Urban and  Bulawayo Urban

Role Overview

The project is seeking a motivated and entrepreneurial Graduate Intern to support enterprise development activities under the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (YEE) Program in Harare. The intern will provide mentorship and coaching support to youth-led start-ups and growth-oriented enterprises, assist in documentation of project results and learning, and contribute to Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) processes. This position is ideal for a recent graduate passionate about entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, and private sector engagement, looking to gain hands-on experience in enterprise support, business development, and project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

1. Enterprise Development and Mentorship Support

• Provide one-on-one and group mentorship sessions for youth entrepreneurs in start-up and growth phases.
• Support youth enterprises in developing and refining business models, financial plans, and marketing strategies.
• Assist entrepreneurs to identify and connect with relevant markets, suppliers, and financing opportunities.
• Facilitate business skills training and coaching sessions in collaboration with project staff and private sector partners.
• Support the design and roll-out of business incubation and acceleration activities.
• Track enterprise performance, growth milestones, and challenges, providing regular updates to the project team.

2. Documentation and Knowledge Management

• Collect and document success stories, case studies, and lessons learned from supported enterprises.
• Assist in compiling progress updates, field reports, and enterprise profiles for project communication materials.
• Support the development of tools, templates, and resources for entrepreneurship capacity building.
• Maintain accurate digital and hardcopy records of all enterprise support activities.

3. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Support

• Work closely with the project’s M&E team to collect and verify data from youth enterprises and partner organizations.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of enterprise tracking tools.
• Participate in data quality assurance (DQA) exercises and ensure timely reporting of enterprise indicators.
• Assist with the analysis of data to generate insights and recommendations for improving enterprise support interventions.
• Support field monitoring visits and documentation of learning outcomes.

4. Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with youth entrepreneurs, private sector mentors, and business support organizations to foster partnerships.
• Support coordination of networking events, pitch sessions, and exposure visits for youth-led enterprises.
• Assist in organizing stakeholder workshops, training sessions, and review meetings.

5. Administrative and Coordination Support

• Provide administrative and logistical support for enterprise development activities.
• Support coordination of training materials, attendance registers, and feedback forms.
• Assist in scheduling mentorship sessions, monitoring meetings, and field activities.
• Undertake any other related duties as assigned by the Project Coordinator or Enterprise Development Specialist.

• Recent graduate with a master’s degree in Entrepreneurship, Business Management, Development Studies, Economics, or related field.
• OR bachelor’s degree with at least 2 years of relevant experience in business development, youth enterprise support, or project implementation.

Experience

• Demonstrated interest or experience in entrepreneurship, private sector development, or youth empowerment.
• Understanding of business planning, financial literacy, and enterprise sustainability concepts.
• Knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, and data management processes.
• Familiarity with MSME ecosystems, start-up incubation, or enterprise support organizations is an added advantage.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (and local languages an asset).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• A valid driver’s license is an advantage, as well as being able to ride a motorbike.

Competencies

• Strong mentoring and facilitation skills with a genuine passion for youth entrepreneurship.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, including teamwork and networking.
• Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities under minimal supervision.
• Demonstrates creativity, initiative, and commitment to continuous learning.
• Culturally sensitive and respectful of diversity in work environments.
• Positive, proactive attitude and willingness to travel within project areas.

How to Apply

Contract Type: National

Expected start date: 5 January 2026

Duty Station:  Harare

Contract Duration: 6 to 12 months

How to Apply
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on the 31 October 2025. Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters. All information will be in the strictest confidence. 

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Working at SNV  
SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from and contribute to, an internal and global network of experts.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and more.

Vetting
SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for International determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct". This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.  

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Any form of solicitation by phone or other means will be treated as disqualification of the candidate. SNV is an equal employment provider.