Australian Professional Opportunity - Building a Social Media Presence for Small Scale Enterprises

Applications are open for an Australian Professional Opportunity (APO) on ‘Building a Social Media Presence for Small Scale Enterprises’. Funded by the Australian Government, this APO will bring together women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka and the Maldives who operate a micro, small or medium enterprise (MSME).

The APO will aim to build the capacity of women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka and Maldives who manufacture products locally and have now shifted to virtual business strategies as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

It will explore key thematic areas relating to necessary training, tools, models and strategies so they can use free social media platforms effectively and easily. The goal is to capacitate MSME owners and boost their online exposure leading towards increased awareness and sales of their products both domestically and internationally.

The APO will be delivered online by Australia based trainers in a series of five, 90-minute bespoke webinars starting 18 May 2022.

The application deadline for this APO is 25 April 2022.

Please read and ensure you understand the eligibility and selection criteria below, prior to applying

General Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Identify as a woman
  • Be a Sri Lankan citizen currently residing in Sri Lanka
  • Operate a self-owned micro, small or medium enterprise in Sri Lanka for at least the last one year, evidenced by business registration as per Government of Sri Lanka regulations in current enterprise name
  • Have access to a suitable work area, device and internet connection during the virtual training sessions
  • Possess at least high school level English language skills
  • Be able and willing to attend the webinars and to apply learnings from the APO by actively practicing and promoting the new techniques and knowledge
  • Demonstrate digital literacy including experience with online learning and meeting platforms. Be able to access and understand social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram for business promotion.
  • Provide evidence of at least one social media page established for the business, under the same company name.

Further Criteria:

All applications will be assessed and ranked against the following criteria:

  • The applicant’s willingness and ability to use new skills and knowledge for their business growth and promotion
  • Applicant’s business history, relevance and position in the current market
  • Applicants promoting ‘Made in Sri Lanka’ or products and providing employment to others will be given priority

People of diverse ethnicity, ability/disability and traditionally marginalised groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

All interested applicants will need to complete their applications online through the Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia application portal by 25 April 2022.

All applicants must complete and submit their applications online and upload all required supporting documents at the time of submission; no paper applications will be accepted.

Participant shortlisting and selection will be finalised by the Australian High Commission of Sri Lanka and Maldives with assistance of the Australia Awards Sri Lanka and Maldives Program.

Only complete applications submitted by 25 April 2022 will be considered for assessment.

For inquiries, contact +94 62517205 or 011 577 2980 or email inquiries@australiaawardssrilanka.org.

 

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