Business Support Advisor Gauteng

Closing date: 28 February 2026

Are you an organised, business-savvy team player with strong interpersonal skills and a passion for small business development and early childhood education? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Grow ECD is committed to providing 5-star early learning opportunities in every neighbourhood by equipping ECD centres with the skills, support, and resources needed to operate as professional, financially sustainable businesses. Our free mobile app offers a comprehensive suite of tools, training, and resources for centre owners, teachers, and parents, enabling effective management and high-quality early learning.

Reporting to the Regional Manager, you will support the financial sustainability of Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres within the Grow ECD network. You will help identify potential new centres for the Small Business Programme and provide ongoing business mentoring to centre owners. You will also be responsible for guiding centre owners through the registration process, monitoring and ensuring their compliance with programme requirements, monitoring programme effectiveness and business sustainability as well as record keeping.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Building and maintaining a pipeline of ECD centres interested in the Small Business Programme (SBP), conducting assessments, and ensuring their readiness.
• Evaluating financial viability and conducting risk assessments for applicants, guiding centre owners through financial assistance processes.
• Ensuring all documentation is complete and meets quality standards before review.
• Mentoring and training ECD centre owners in budgeting, financial management, debt tracking, and business sustainability to ensure long-term success.
• Monitoring compliance with programme requirements, including loan repayments and the effective use of the Grow ECD mobile app for business management.
• Supporting centres in the registration process and subsidy applications.
• Maintaining accurate records, updating dashboards and trackers and submitting reports to track programme effectiveness and business growth.
• Building strong relationships with ECD centre owners, government departments and key stakeholders serving as a professional brand ambassador for Grow ECD

Requirements

• A tertiary qualification in business, finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in small business support, financial administration, or a related field.
• Knowledge of financial management, budgeting, and business operations.
• Ability to mentor, train and motivate small business owners, building capacity and confidence.
• Experience in Early Childhood Development sector is advantageous.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• Willingness to work collaboratively in a broader team
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• English proficiency; ability to speak isiZulu is an advantage.
• Proficiency in MS Office and a willingness to learn new digital tools.
• A valid driver’s license and willingness to travel to ECD centres and communities (own car preferred).

Remuneration
+-R23 000 per month (including Group Life and Pension Fund contributions), dependent on skills and experience.

To apply,  along with a brief cover letter explaining why you’d like to work for Grow ECD and your suitability for the role to lyndseypetro.za by no later than 28 February 2026.