Job Purpose:
The Financial Inclusion Officer will provide technical leadership and guidance to project staff and partners on microfinance that enhances the delivery of appropriate and affordable financial services to smallholder farmers, MSMEs and other agricultural value chain actors with a focus on the European Union funded Cassava Value Chain Programme.
About the Programme
The overall objective of the Cassava Value Chain programme is to increase food and nutrition security, employment and income among 20,000 smallholder-farming households (at least 60% women) in six Counties (Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Siaya, Busia and Kilifi). Specifically, the programme will increase income levels amongst target households through increased cassava production for both subsistence and trade; it will reduce the hunger gap amongst target households by promoting cassava, a drought-tolerant crop; create 5,600 net equivalent jobs amongst the Farmer Business Groups supported by the programme; increase the decision-making power of female farmers through an integrated gender sensitive approach and improve dietary diversity of cassava-producing households through the promotion of intercropping with legumes and pulses, cassava products and nutrition education.
Key Responsibilities
Identifying best practice and trends, including role of technology, within the programme and innovative financial services business models serving the poor in various sectors such as agri-finance, SME finance and climate finance
Contribute to the development of a programme financial inclusion strategy and upscaling of affordable low-cost rural solutions for financial and non-financial services
Participate in the building of partnerships for the promotion of access to finance and collaborate with commercial and non-commercial partners that seek to deliver appropriate and affordable non-financial or financial services to smallholder farmers
Participate in the development of a capacity building plan for financial institutions, to create an efficient platform for the provision of access and financial inclusion solutions to underserved populations in Kenya
Provide technical advice in developing, planning and implementing financial inclusion strategies and support partner implementation of the revolving fund
Ensure that the programme’s access to micro-finance interventions conform with the organisation’s priorities and industry accepted norms and standards in community-based micro-finance programming models
Identify and/or develop required financial tools and methodological approaches, and provide technical assistance and training/capacity building to ensure programme interventions achieve or surpass established objectives
Contribute to data monitoring and management systems to ensure quality in implementation
Assist the Head of Programmes in assessing and identifying capacity needs and gaps that could potentially affect the implementation of the programme
Represent SHA with stakeholders, financial institutions, implementing partners, universities, donors and potential funders and beneficiaries
Participate in knowledge sharing and learning activities on access and financial inclusion and contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice between various Self Help Africa’s programmes and partners
Impart appropriate mentoring, coaching and supervision among producer groups resource persons in savings and loaning in order to equip, motivate and empower them for program sustainability
Ensure learning from the cassava programme and sector is disseminated amongst the wider programme team
Support the wider team on identifying and designing funding opportunities to increase financial inclusion for smallholders
Identify and build solid partnerships with the financial sector, research institutes, competent technical agencies and others that can bring knowledge, know-how and networks in support of creating financial inclusion opportunities for smallholder farmers
Any other tasks as assigned by the Programme Manager or Country Management Team.
Key Relationships
Internal
Programme Managers
Programme Coordinators
Country Director
Head of Finance and Administration
Enterprise Advisor
External
Partner organisations,
Government Ministries/ departments,
Financial organisations and other like-minded organisations and institutions
External Auditors
Knowledge and Experience:
Five years’ field and technical experience with agribusiness development, farmer cooperatives, agri-financing, rural financing, micro-finance and micro enterprise, impact investment, entrepreneurship and/or financial analysis relating to agricultural sector is required
Experience working on donor funded financial inclusion programmes will be an advantage, either in a programme management function or technical expert
Experience in rolling out financial programmes targeting farmer groups and MSMEs preferred
Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills a must
Ability to undertake cohesive analyses and develop well-written reports
Track record of building strong client and stakeholder relationships
Ability to generate innovative solutions in work situations
Proven ability and experience working within a team will be an added advantage
Experience in working with micro, small to medium enterprises and financial institutions
Experience in designing strategies and approaches for enhancing agricultural production and rural livelihoods among smallholder farmers
Familiarity and experience with EU regulations preferred
Experience in networking and coordination of partnerships among development and private sector organisations
Qualifications/Other Requirements:Essential:
Degree in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business Management, Finance, Entrepreneurship or a related field is required.
Strong computer skills especially with Microsoft suite
Role Competencies:
Excellent verbal, analytical, organisational, training, facilitation and written skills
People management skills
Entrepreneur
Proactive and motivated with a strong commitment to Self Help Africa’s vision, mission and values
Attention to detail and the ability to produce timely and accurate reports
Ability to work as part of team across different cultures
Ability to work with minimum supervision and take initiative
Download the Job Description
This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available and SHA reserves the right to make necessary changes.
Please download the Application Form and fill it in. A completed application form, up-to-date CV and a motivational letter outlining your suitability for the role should be uploaded though the link below.Please note incomplete applications will not be considered for shortlisting.Closing date is Tuesday 2nd February 2021 at 5pmPlease note that Self Help Africa Kenya advocates for equal opportunity and does not require applicants to pay any fee at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.Self Help Africa is committed to the highest possible standards of openness, transparency, and accountability in all its affairs and is completely against fraud, bribery, and corruption. All employees are bound by code of conduct, child protection and conflict of interest policies.Any candidate offered a job with Self Help Africa will be expected to sign Self Help Africa’s Safeguarding Policies and Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.Police vetting is required.All applicants are encouraged to read through the following safeguarding policies as you make your applications:Women applicants are highly encouraged; Self Help Africa is an Equal Opportunities Employer
Apply via :
selfhelpafrica.org
