Posted: January 24, 2011

Social Entrepreneurs of New Orleans (SENO) seeks 4-8 experienced, energetic individuals who are committed to accelerating the impact of social entrepreneurship in New Orleans. Candidates will work part-time (6-8 hours/week) to support and coach an early-stage social entrepreneur in the SENO New Ventures Accelerator program.

SENO’s mission is to systematically cultivate bold and coordinated solutions to our city’s most pressing social challenges and to help social entrepreneurs who tackle these high-priority challenges take their ideas from vision to reality. A “social entrepreneur” is an individual who develops an effective and efficient solution to a pressing social problem and measures his/her success in social impact. For more information on SENO, please visit www.seno-nola.org.

Accelerator Consultant Responsibilities:

• Provides strategic consulting and business planning to social entrepreneurs (for-profit/nonprofit/hybrid)
• Conducts organizational assessment (reviews finance, operations, and programs) using SENO program assessment protocol
• Collaborates with social entrepreneur to develop ten-month “Milestone Activity Plan” (MAP) with a focus on top three measurable goals in financial sustainability, social impact, and venture implementation
• The MAP is a document stating the concrete deliverables from the Executive Consultant (financial analysis, market research, business plan, etc.) and the goals and milestones that the social entrepreneur will meet
• Provides assistance in relation to top three measurable goals: assistance falls in the categories of new venture design and planning (strategic planning, business planning, financial analysis, market research and analysis, fund development) and new venture implementation (marketing, operations, networking, etc.)
• Coordinates pro-bono expert technical assistance on an as-needed basis and cultivates networks in the areas of accounting, human resources, legal, board development, marketing, social networking, new technologies, graphic design, and fund development
• Works with volunteer SENO “Connections Committee,” pro-bono service providers, and our circle of Executive Mentors to support social entrepreneurs
• Meets with social entrepreneur weekly to measure progress against work plan
• Coordinates Executive Mentor meetings, pro-bono technical assistance (legal, marketing research, graphic design, etc.)
• Works approximately 6-8 hours/week per social entrepreneur client
• Reports monthly to Executive Director on “Milestone Activity Plan” deliverables
• Attends initial program kick-off meeting
• Attends group Executive Consultant meetings

General Qualifications:

• Focused on results, impact, and deliverables
• Ability to analyze, synthesize and prioritize information
• Ability to listen and work collaboratively with individuals of diverse perspectives
• Business and strategic planning experience
• Consulting experience
• Exceptional quantitative skills
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong critical thinking and creative problem solving skills
• Project management experience
• Organized, with the ability to prioritize, multi-task and manage time wisely
• Hardworking and driven; self starter
• Ability to connect social entrepreneur to a larger network of resources (preferred)
• Strong enthusiasm and desire to participate in New Orleans’ social entrepreneurship movement
• B.A. (required); MBA (preferred)

Stipend: $5,000 over the course of the 10-month New Ventures Accelerator program

Anticipated Start Date: March 2011

To apply: Please send resume and cover letter stating your qualifications and interest in supporting early-stage social entrepreneurs to Andrea Chen at achen@seno-nola.org by Feb. 15th, 2011 or earlier. Early applications are much appreciated.

Social Entrepreneurs of New Orleans (SENO) is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Minority- and women-owned firms and individuals are encouraged to submit applications. The New Ventures Accelerator may be (funded or partially funded) through the State of Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Program with federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.