Community Lead – Enterprise Development (KITWE)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in some 170 countries and territories, supporting their own solutions to development challenges and developing national and local capacities that will help them achieve human development and the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated on three main focus areas: Sustainable development; Democratic governance and peacebuilding; Climate and disaster resilience. UNDP helps countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we promote gender equality and the protection of human rights. UNDP has enhanced its support to countries to work towards the eradication of extreme poverty, enabling us to build back better and work towards innovative solutions to the complex global challenges. We have refined our service offering through six signature solutions to provide a more integrated response to the development challenges that we are all facing in this complex global environment. This includes a mix of policy advice, technical assistance, catalytic financing and innovative programmes tailored to country specific needs to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals through six our signature solutions on - poverty, governance, resilience, environment, energy, gender equality.

Kitwe, situated at the heart of Zambia's Copperbelt, represents a powerful industrial base with a growing urban economy increasingly driven by a dynamic and entrepreneurial youth demographic. While historically rooted in mining, the city possesses a rising hospitality and service landscape, spearheaded by young innovators responding to the need for economic diversification. Beyond its traditional industrial core, Kitwe's economic fabric extends into pivotal sectors—including manufacturing, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and a rapidly expanding creative industry—where youth-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are playing an increasingly central role in reshaping the region's market.

The diversity of Kitwe’s visitors encompasses industrial business travellers, corporate delegates, and those interested in regional commerce and industrial heritage. To capitalize on these unique strengths while actively addressing youth economic empowerment, UNDP Zambia, in partnership with local authorities, are introducing sustainable business and tourism strategies designed to trigger positive ripple effects across the wider Copperbelt economy. By prioritizing capacity development for young entrepreneurs, this initiative ensures beneficial spillover effects that strengthen local value chains, create sustainable employment beyond the mining sector, and enhance the overall economic resilience of the next generation of business leaders.

The initiative aims to elevate Kitwe's status from a traditional mining town to a dynamic, multi-faceted regional destination, fuelled by the creative energy of its young population. A central focus is placed on diversifying current offerings by encouraging visitors to explore industrial heritage sites, youth-driven local arts, and emerging urban cultural hubs. This shifts the perception of Kitwe toward a standalone destination that showcases its industrial legacy alongside modern, youth-led innovations.

The primary objective of the project is to enhance Kitwe's economy by implementing the In Motion methodology, provided by UNDP Zambia, with a dedicated focus on youth-led MSME capacity development. This proven business-strengthening approach focuses intensely on providing direct mentorship, operational training, and strategic capability-building to young enterprise owners, to help them compete on larger markets and meet international standards.

The main objective of the assignment is to support and provide advice to micro and small businesses through group trainings and on-site individualized technical support facilitating the process of economic resilience, increasing competitiveness of the micro and small businesses, and improving their stability in the market by applying the “In Motion Methodology”.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Project Manager, the Community Lead – Enterprise Development will undertake the following tasks:

• Provide group trainings according to the "In Motion Methodology".
• Provide on-site specialized technical assistance to Livingstone micro, small, and medium business owners following the programme methodology and templates.
• Follow up on weekly Management Team meetings to provide updates on the status of methodology implementation.
• Process surveyed information and prepare reports on the process status according to UNDP's specifications under the "In Motion Methodology".
• In coordination with beneficiaries and the Management Team, support enterprise innovation and renovation through defining and delivering equipment.
• Coordinate strategic marketing actions with the Graphic Designer, who is part of the Project Team.