Northamptonshire County Council Start-up Business Support Advisors for the Ready2Grow (R2G) Project

Tender description

Northamptonshire County Council is seeking to procure specialist support to deliver a programme of start-up business support as part of the “Ready2Grow” (R2G) project, an initiative part-funded by European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) and delivered in partnership with the Northamptonshire Growth Hub, University of Northampton, and Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership. There are two Start-up Business Advisor roles to be procured, one with a focus on supporting young people, and the other with a focus on supporting women and the BME community – all key target groups identified as needing more local support. Tender responses are invited for proposals covering one or both of the Start-up Business Advisor roles. The main responsibilities of the successful Advisors will be to: • Provide 1:1 business advice to new and early start-ups, with a particular focus on disadvantaged groups, supporting them through their journey to establish their own business • Co-ordinate and deliver engaging and effective workshop sessions, including ‘Self-employment: Is it for me?’ and ‘Business Planning for new businesses’. It is expected that a minimum of 8 workshops will be held per annum. • Engage with key referral organisations and other stakeholders as required. • Signpost clients to other available support, and to other relevant parts of the project • Provide support to applicants applying for the Start-up grants • Provide expert advice on the suitability of applicants for the Start-up Grants • Support the delivery of advice on sound business practise around sustainability, equalities and procurement policies • Maintain accurate records of all business interactions, and ensure that the NGH Customer Relationship Management system is updated and maintained effectively. • Provide accurate and timely reporting against key performance indicators • Ensure that the delivery of business support activities addresses all equality duties in The Equality Act 2010 • Deliver the project in accordance with County Council policies and procedures, such as sustainability, equality & diversity etc. • Participate in and support the work of the R2G Operations Group, to ensure effective delivery of the Start-up programme. • Attend relevant training associated with delivery of the R2G programme. • Comply with guidelines on publicity and media relating to delivery of the programme, in line with Council and ERDF policies. . Keywords: Start-up, Advisor, Business