Position: Partnership Associate Interns
Program: Strongim Bisnis
Location: Solomon Islands
Duration: Part-time over 3 months
Line manager and directly report to: Partnership Technical Lead
Works with: All technical teams
Background
Strongim Bisnis (SB) is the Australian Government's flagship private-sector development program in Solomon Islands. The program works with businesses, industry organisations, government, and other market actors to support the development of a resilient, diversified, and socially inclusive economy. Through a market systems development approach, Strongim Bisnis supports businesses to address constraints to growth, improve competitiveness, access to markets and generate employment and income opportunities. The program places particular emphasis on expanding economic opportunities for women, youth and people with disabilities.
Strongim Bisnis recognises that developing local professional capability is important to strengthening the private sector and ensuring that Solomon Islanders can take on increasingly complex roles in business development and partnership management. The Strongim Bisnis Academy Training Program will provide a small cohort of promising young Solomon Islanders with practical training and exposure to the work of a private-sector development program. The Academy is intended to build a pipeline of local talent who can contribute to identifying business opportunities, understanding constraints to business growth and supporting partnerships that deliver sustainable commercial and economic benefits.
Purpose of this consultancy
The Academy aims to develop the knowledge, practical skills and professional capabilities of young Solomon Islanders interested in pursuing careers in private-sector development, business development, enterprise support or related fields. The program will combine structured training, practical assignments, coaching, and exposure to the work of Strongim Bisnis. Participants will learn how to assess business opportunities, understand the constraints faced by businesses, develop and monitor partnerships, and contribute to commercially viable activities that generate employment and improve incomes. The Academy is a professional development opportunity. Participation does not guarantee employment with Strongim Bisnis or any other organisation. Up to 5 people will be accepted into the Academy, which is expected to start in the first quarter of 2027.
Scope of work
By the end of the program, participants should have developed a foundational understanding of:
Private-sector development: How businesses operate, grow and create employment and income opportunities in Solomon Islands.
Market systems development: How businesses interact with suppliers, buyers, service providers, government and other market actors, and how constraints within these systems affect business performance.
Business analysis: How to research businesses, understand business models, identify growth opportunities and assess commercial challenges.
Partnership development: How to identify prospective partners, engage businesses, gather information and contribute to the development of partnership proposals.
Partnership management: The importance of due diligence, agreed objectives, implementation plans, monitoring, risk management and accountability.
Results measurement: How to collect and interpret information about business performance, employment, income and other development results.
Professional skills: Written and verbal communication, analytical thinking, teamwork, time management, ethical conduct and professional engagement with businesses and stakeholders.
Scope of the training program
The Academy will be delivered over approximately three months (not full time). The final training schedule and delivery arrangements will be confirmed with selected participants.
The program is expected to include the following components:
Structured learning: Participants will attend training sessions covering…