SPARK is a dynamic not-for-profit foundation, with SPARK initiated Business Start-Up Centres (BSCs) and incubators in Bar, Bitola, Kragujevac, Pristina and Zenica. SPARK has field offices in Belgrade, Mitrovica, Pristina, Skopje and Tuzla. SPARK activities in Southeast Europe (SEE) are supported by about 40 permanent professional staff. Most of them work in our economic development programme. SPARK programmes support the ongoing processes of transition and reconstruction in post-conflict societies, through the strengthening of educational and economic institutions.

SPARK is looking for a full-time Project Manager for its Business Start-Up Centres (BSC) and Private Sector Development Programme. The project manager has experience in entrepreneurship, SME development and development cooperation and excellent organisational and management skills. The manager is stationed in Amsterdam (or possibly Southeast Europe) and available for frequent work visits to Southeast Europe. The project manager coaches, monitors and evaluates BSCs and local partner organisations in their activities including training & consulting, business plan competitions, micro-credit and business incubation. Activities are targeted at young entrepreneurs and are carried out in collaboration with government institutions, chambers of commerce, businesses and Universities.

The five centres are part of a regional network of Business Centres and Incubators. Regionally oriented activities under the responsibility of the project manager include research on SME development obstacles throughout SEE, regional conferences and business fairs, study visits for staff from partners, EU lobby, etc.

The project manager is part of a larger international team supporting BSCs' activities and reports directly to the Board of Directors. S/he closely coordinates activities with a Project Manager stationed in SEE and is the line manager of a number of field staff working at the Business Start-Up Centres.

Main tasks & responsibilities

• Daily management of project activities;
• Monitor & report project progress to SPARK Board of Directors and to donors;
• Identify and maintain contacts with international & regional experts, trainers and partners;
• Responsible for sound financial project management of the BSCs involved.

Requirements & assets:

• University degree in economics or business or related field;
• Minimum 2 years of experience in SME development and/or entrepreneurship promotion;
• Proven organisational and management skills;
• Good to excellent oral and written language skills in English and preferably one or more SEE local languages;
• Good communication and social skills and able to work in a multicultural setting;
• Entrepreneurial approach;

SPARK offers: 

• NGO-competitive salary (between 3200 to 3900 Euro gross on a 40 hours basis, depending on professional experience and education);
• Training opportunities;
• A challenging and international working environment.

If interested, please email your application to vacancy@spark-online.org before 18 August 2008.