Vacancy Announcement
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!CARE Ethiopia would like to invite competent and qualified job seekers in the position of Rural Micro Finance Specialist.
Position: Rural Micro Finance Specialist
Job Description:
I. JOB SUMMARY:
The purpose of the Rural Micro Finance Specialist (RMFS) is to provide technical assistance and operational support to the CARE Operational Area( Sidama and Gedio Zone) under the Livelihood for Resilience Project in the area of microfinance including training in the village savings and loans methodology. The MFS will lead the design, planning and implementation of technical interventions under the micro finance component of the Livelihood for Resilience Project, and provide guidance to the work of Community Facilitators in the field programs of the Project in both Zones. The RMFS Work to achieve Women, Men and Youth have expanded awareness of and ability to access tailored financial services.
The RMFS work closely with MFI and or RUSSACOs to assure appropriate financial services are provided to project clients. The MFS will ensure that the Project interventions are implemented as planned and bring about the desired impact through monitoring, evaluation, research and documenting lessons learnt.
II. RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS
Job Responsibility #1: Training/Capacity Building of Community Groups and partners
Leads interventions for creating and supporting Village Economic and Social Associations (VESAs), including the village savings and loans activities, training in cross-cutting issues, and conversion to cooperatives.Design and coordinate different capacity building interventions for community based economic organizations in organizational management and governance, Business skills, IGA-SPM, climate adaptation, graduation and others as required;Capacitate financial service providers (MFI,RUSSACOs and cooperative unions) to understand resilience and provide appropriate, equitable & sustainable services to for different needs of female, male, youth and for different activities (on farm, off farm and non- farm).
Facilitate loan mechanisms for other Value chain actors to sufficiently support PSNP households
Strengthen the MFIs /RuSSACOS capacity to mobilize resources (savings, repayment collection) to address liquidity problem.management system and make accessible to the staff and other stakeholders at CO level;
Develops capacity of CARE and local partner field staff on micro finance and operation of Village Savings and Loan Associations and related initiatives;
Organizes training courses and delivers or arranges for the delivery of training programs aimed at Livelihood for Resilience Project target beneficiaries. Oversees the scheduling and delivery of training to local Village Savings and Loan Associations to build local level capacity in micro finance for development;
Organize and facilitates presentations, reports and other documentation on microfinance training events and field program operations.
% of Time: 35%
Job Responsibility #2: Program Planning and Implementation:
Designs and develops work plans for field office operations in VESA/VSLA and micro finance activities in association with field office staff.Provide guidance and closely support community facilitators in organizing PSNP households into VESA groups
Facilitate linkage with MFIs for both Sidama and Gedio zones
Work to achieve Women, Men and Youth have expanded awareness of and ability to access tailored financial services (savings, loans and micro-insurances )Regularly review the status of MFI/financial service providers, support to improve their service delivery and find system to deliver based on agreed plans including social accountability and other systems.
Ensures that implementation of field programs proceeds according to approved plans and immediate corrective actions are taken when required in both zones;
Support external and internal project reviews for higher-level reflective practices;
Leads or participates in diagnostic studies (livelihood assessments) for project design;
Reviews project evaluation reports, compile and share lessons for future project design considerations;
% of Time: 30%
Job Responsibility #3: Learning and Networking:
Liaison with external programs in micro finance on best practices in the operation of Village Savings and Loan Associations and linking rural poor to micro finance institutionsKeeps up to date with developments in the sector, including best practice examples within the country and internationally, and ensures ongoing personal development and learning;
Ensure the communication of Micro Finance concepts and procedures within the organization, with partners and other stakeholders.
Promote joint planning, sharing and learning within and outside the project Links the Livelihood for Resilience Project with Government and NGO partners on issues related to micro finance.
Organize joint forum for financial service providers, regional government and other relevant actors to address the issue of outstanding loan and other bottlenecks at regional and woreda level
Facilitate linkage and collaboration between Cooperative promotion office , LICU and financial service providers for complementarily, synergy and sequencing among coops, MFIs and VESAs
% of Time: 20%
Job Responsibility #4 Information Management:
Reviews and keeps current practices on CARE Ethiopia and Livelihood for Resilience project in the micro finance sector including VSLA training manual, activities of the Micro Finance Technical Working Group, and other relevant documentation.Reviews and keeps current practices on Government of Ethiopia policies in the micro finance sector, and ensures an active information flow regarding best practices and application of program/project standards in the Livelihood for Resilience Project implementation in both zones;
Ensures the collection of accurate information on field activities under the assigned sector from CARE and other operational partners of the Livelihood for Resilience Project.
Regularly maintains project information on micro finance activities using appropriate database
% of time:5%
Job Responsibility #5: Gender Equity and Diversity related:
Promote gender equality within teams, communities and households;Ensure that proposals and reports make explicit reference to approaches used to address unequal gender relations;
Facilitate different capacity building activities for staff on gender and diversity issues.
% of time:5%
Job Responsibility #6: Perform other duties as assigned.
% of Time: 5%
III. PROBLEM SOLVING (Thinking Environment)
All the three levels of problem solving apply to the incumbent. But category numbers two and three are most applicable to this position because, the incumbent must use interpolative skills to pick and choose the right strategy to address a given problem and also has to deal with variable situations, which need analysis, problem definition and development of alternative solutions.
III. GENDER EQUALITY
Understanding and demonstrated commitment to the importance of gender, youth and social inclusion issues.
Demonstrated commitment to principles of Gender Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and PSEAH (safeguarding), as evidenced in previous positions / programming Job Requirements:
A) EDUCATION
Required:
B.A. Degree in Economics, Finance, International Development or other closely related field.
Desired:
MA in economics, marketing, agriculture and other relevant fieldAcademic work and published reports on the micro finance sector in Ethiopia
B) EXPERIENCE:
Required:
6(six) years of work experience in the micro finance sector including needs assessments, baseline surveys, field program implementation, VSLA approach and methodology. Regular progress monitoring and project evaluation.
Desired:
Experience in both the public sector and NGO programs
C) TECHNICAL SKILLS
Required:
Highly developed computer skills (Word processing, database management);
Excellent written and verbal communication in English Language;
Firm belief in teamwork, gender equality, and participatory approach and sustainable development.
Desired:
Knowledge of micro finance practices and operations
Training planning and delivery skills.
D) COMPETENCIES
Respect, accountability, courage, excellence, building partnership, building commitment, contributing to team success, innovation, pro-active problem solving, analytical ability.
V. CONTACTS/KEY RELATIONSHIPS
The MFS is expected to establish and maintain good relations with partners, counterpart GOs and NGOs. S/He will also closely work with the CCU and SNV staff, PQL Coordinator, LDM Team Leader, Department heads, Area Coordinators, Program/Project Managers and other related staff.
VI. WORKING CONDITIONS AND LEVEL OF TRAVEL REQUIRED
This position is located in Hawassa and requires up to 70% travel to Sidama and Gedio woredas.
How To Apply:
If you are interested to be part of our dynamic team, exciting work environment and contribute to CARE Ethiopia’s mission and vision, please send your CV (not more than 3 pages) and cover letter (not more than one page) through Ethiojobs.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Passionate and dedicated candidates who meet the requirement are strongly encouraged to apply, especially women!
CARE Ethiopia is committed to preventing all unwanted behavior at work. This includes sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, and child abuse. We expect everyone who works for us to share this commitment by understanding and working within the CARE Safeguarding Policy and related framework. CARE Ethiopia has a zero-tolerance approach to any harm to, or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or child by any of our staff, representatives or partners.
CARE Ethiopia reserves the right to seek information from job applicants’ current and/or previous employers about incidents of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment the applicant may have been found guilty to have committed or about which an investigation was in the process of being carried out at the time of the termination of the applicant’s employment with that employer.
By submitting the application, the job applicant confirms that s/he has no objection to CARE Ethiopia requesting the information specified above. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks.
CARE seeks to improve the lives of the most marginalized, particularly women and girls. Our diversity is our strength. We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.
Application Deadline: August 23, 2022