We currently have a volunteer opportunity for the following:

Business Strategy + Feasibility Advisor

Make an Impact and difference that people feel.

Join Australian Business Volunteers on our mission to positively change communities. Whether you are an individual or a business, you can create vibrant and viable communities.

What we do

ABV delivers economic change to communities across the globe through donated business expertise. We create self-reliance and resilience and leave a lasting economic impact – one that endures generations.

How we do it?

We offer meaning opportunities for skilled business professionals to volunteer their expertise across communities in Australia and the Pacific. We work with communities to understand their needs and work with our Skilled Business Volunteers to match them to projects, that bring the right skills at the right time to help deliver outcomes.

About the opportunity

Primary Purpose of the Position

Cann River has been without a supermarket for two years, forcing residents to travel long distances or pay high delivery costs for essential groceries. The 2019/20 bushfires highlighted the urgent need for reliable local food access. We are seeking a skilled professional Volunteer to assess the feasibility of establishing a community owned or social enterprise supermarket. The role will involve researching models, engaging with stakeholders, and providing clear recommendations to improve food security, create local jobs, and support community wellbeing.

Use your expertise to deliver meaningful change for a resilient rural community.

The tasks and deliverables of this Assignment are:

• Conduct market research, explore similar social business enterprises (eg Benambra Supermarket), and analyse relevant data, to assess financial viability and models of operations that may be applicable

• Determine the funding opportunities available through grants and philanthropic foundations for seed funding to get this project shovel-ready

• Determine a Community Ownership model with accessible share investment options

• Develop a comprehensive business development strategy that considers:

• Capital and operational investment required, short- and long-term returns on investment (profitability), and the relative value of diverse business models (general store/ greengrocer/ franchise supermarket etc.)

• Strategies for addressing identified barriers to success, for instance the cost of transportation of stock; unreliable grid power supply; and the frequent impacts of flood, storm, and fire on the road network.

• Strategies for taking best advantage of identified opportunities, for instance locally produced dairy meat and produce; the high volume of through traffic in the summer months; and the monopoly on geographic convenience to the local community

• Capital investment, cost effective logistical operations

Selection Criteria:

• Strong analytical research skills to obtain, organizing and interpreting data from various sources, to draw and meaningful conclusions and effectively communicate them

• Specific knowledge of social enterprise business projects

• Strong financial analysis skills

• A knowledge of supermarket franchise agreements would be an advantage but is not essential

• Ability to identify problems and effective strategies to address them

Role information:

• Start as soon as mutually agreeable:
• Approximately 8-12 weeks:
• Work online with possibility for travel:

Interested to Apply?

**Click APPLY. **

Please note, if you are interested in applying for the role, we will require you to meet the following criteria:

• 5 years professional experience in the relevant field
• Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident residing in Australia. Australian Citizens residing overseas may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Willingness to complete a National Police Check
• Willingness to complete a Working with Children Check

What will happen next?

Our volunteer recruitment team will be in touch with you to advise you of the next steps.

Find out what our volunteers love most about working with our communities:

Throughout our 40-year history, ABV has relied on our passionate and committed volunteers who use their impressive business skills to build marketplaces, mentor entrepreneurs, strengthen institutions and transform communities.

Visit our website to see more about what our volunteers have be involved in and view their stories.

ABV is an equal opportunity employer and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally & linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds are encouraged to apply for this position.