Logo

SmartStart, Business Sustainability Associate

scheme image

About the portfolio organization

SmartStart is a successful national network of NGOs & partners realising quality, affordable early learning for all 3-5-year olds, inclusively — through scaling a network of, and building a platform for, providers; achieving specific ecosystem transformations with governments and partners; and “evangelising” for early learning as a priority societal cause.   

SmartStart has extended quality access to, and demonstrated on-track early learning outcomes for, excluded children; established a trusted network serving 100,000+ children weekly (~11,000 practitioners supported by 14 partner organisations); constructed key parts of a platform for population-scale; and supported development of government’s first national early learning strategy. This yields momentum among social investors as SmartStart scales in SA — and beyond. 

About the Fellowship role

We seek a Business Sustainability Associate to support our franchisees in building and maintaining financially sustainable early learning practices. This role will involve mapping business sustainability journeys, identifying challenges, and designing scalable solutions to support ECD practitioners in managing their practices efficiently and profitably.  
 
Fellowship location: Hybrid: Johannesburg, South Africa 
Employment: Full-time, one-year Fellowship 
Starting Date: July – September 2025 
 

Key responsibilities

  • Business Sustainability Mapping: Collaborate with franchisees to document and analyse their business operations, identify sustainability challenges, and co-design tailored solutions.  
  • Capacity Building: Develop and deliver training materials on business management, financial planning, and operational efficiency for ECD practitioners.  
  • Process Improvement: Work with the SmartStart operations and network support teams to enhance existing business processes and ensure alignment with financial sustainability goals.  
  • Data Analysis and Reporting: Collect and analyse data on franchisee business performance to inform decision-making and track progress.  
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with franchisors, ECD practitioners, and internal teams to gather insights, share findings, and implement business sustainability initiatives.  

Requirements

The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, and proactive, with strong problem-solving and collaboration skills. Experience in business analysis, process improvement, operations, and working alongside technical teams on automation initiatives will be highly beneficial.  

1. Education & Qualifications:  
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, or a related field.  
  • Experience: 3-5 years in business analysis, financial management, operations, start-up incubation, social entrepreneurship, or management consulting.  
  • Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent communication, and the ability to design and implement business sustainability initiatives, especially within the context of informal economies and community-based enterprises.  
2. Experience:  
  • 3-5 years of experience in business sustainability, financial planning, operations, social entrepreneurship, business incubation, or start-up management.   
  • Experience working with community-based businesses and supporting their growth, including formalising informal businesses similar to the “Ekasi economy”.   
  • Management consulting experience.   
  • Proficiency in financial analysis tools and business management software.  
3. Key Skills & Competencies:  
  • Strong ability to map, document, and analyse business processes across different departments.   
  • Experience identifying inefficiencies, pain points, and opportunities for process automation.   
  • Ability to gather, define, and document business requirements, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.   
  • Knowledge of process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, BPMN) to drive efficiency.   
  • Ability to design Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), process manuals, and visual process maps.  

Must Haves:
  • 3-5 years of experience in business sustainability, financial planning, or operations.  
  • Management consulting experience.  
  • Experience working with community-based businesses and supporting their growth, including formalising informal businesses  
  • Proficiency in financial analysis tools and business management software.  
  • South African work permit or authorisation to work in South Africa is required. 

About the LGT Impact Fellowship

As part of LGT Venture Philanthropy's and Lightrock's strategic efforts to scale positive impact, the LGT Impact Fellowship was established to provide additional know-how and capacity to portfolio organisations and companies. Each year a limited number of professionals are nominated to work full-time for one year with the organisations and companies supported by LGT Venture Philanthropy and Lightrock in Africa, India and Latin America as per the above job description.
LGT Impact Fellows are part of an enriching cohort of like-minded Fellows. They benefit from various program activities, including a 1-week in-person kick-off workshop, webinars, access to the network and know-how of LGT Venture Philanthropy, etc.

How to apply

Submit your application via the "Apply" button. Please note that we only accept online applications and that multiple applications are not allowed. However, you are invited to mention additional preferences in your application.
Moreover, please make sure to read all information in the application form carefully and answer the questions accordingly (additional information about the questions are marked with "i").