CoB Programme Coordinator/Officer
Job Description
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Reporting to:Finance Manager
Key relationships:Project Advisors and Partners, IFAD Kenya, techfortrade UK staff
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Reporting to:Finance Manager
Key relationships:Project Advisors and Partners, IFAD Kenya, techfortrade UK staff
techfortrade and East Africa Programme
techfortrade is a London based small charity with a mission to alleviate poverty by acting as a catalyst for the development of new technology based solutions that address many of the barriers to trade for poor rural communities.
These initiatives build on developments such as the emerging
mobile phone based e-banking networks and on other innovations that potentially
offer transformational social benefits.
We are starting a three year project, scaling up of the Cash-on-the-Bag (CoB) programme with funding from IFAD.
The programme will develop and test an innovative financing
mechanism for cash-onthe-bag payments to small farmers within a service for
secure transactions in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
It will adopt a "learning-by-doing" approach to
develop and test the mechanism and to build capacity.
Job purpose
To coordinate the development and implementation of an innovative financial management system that provides cash-on-the-bag payments to small farmers within secure transaction operations on a commercial basis.
The role will coordinate the system development and deployment
including mechanisms for moving cash safely to small farmers through banking
and mobile money mechanisms, as well as platforms for tracking payments and
performance of all actors involved.
Duties and Responsibilities
Programme coordination
- Coordinate
the implementation of scheduled programme activities for CoB to ensure
programme targets are met, including development of operational work plans
in collaboration with Finance Manager and programme advisors/partners.
Troubleshoot implementation activities, ensuring timely performance and
accountably to achieve programme success.
- Provide
managerial and administrative support to the development and
implementation of cash-onthe-bag (CoB) financial management system for
secure transaction. Ensure that the financial management system is
deployed to all field offices effectively.
- Maintain
the CoB programme information system, including managing the databases to
track deals, loan disbursements, loan repayments, social impact and
efficiency of each deal and report regularly to UK.
- Support
in the identification of project partners, trading networks and network
managers, including due diligence review, assessment of capacity and
financial viability.
- Carryout
training and capacity building of programme implementing partners and
network managers on the use of trading and finance management system.
- Propose
ways of working to ensure effective implementation of activities in the
context of partnership working, control or management and good
coordination with other IFAD funded programmes.
- Support
partners/advisors on data collection and analysis and coordinate the
development, monitoring and evaluation of the project.
Reporting and compliance
- Prepare
regular performance and deal efficiency reports in consultation with
programme partners and advisors to inform due diligence procedures before
financing is provided to a deal.
- Prepare
regular reports and summaries of work and recommendations to managers and
advisors including recommendations to techfortrade head office in UK.
- Support
and ensure accountability and compliance to techfortrade policies and
donor requirements.
Financial management
- Ensure
project activities are performed within the approved CoB Programme field
budget and follow techfortrade procedures to authorise expenditures.
Responsible for certifying and authorizing disbursements according to
techfortrade and donor guidelines.
- Prepare
timely and accurate monthly reporting and effective financial management
of all resources allocated to CoB field Programme. Ensure that field
office transactions are recoded into techfortrade accounting system.
- Prepare
annual forecast for field programme operations, assessing costs and
budget/expenditures from field programme activities. Prepare, and submit
for approval, programme cash forecasts based on established financial
goals.
- Ensure
that CoB fund floats are effectively managed and reconciled with bank
statements.
- Ensure
compliance with all techfortrade and donors policies and procedures for
financial and asset management.
- To
work closely with the Finance Manager to ensure that a proactive approach
to financial management systems is fostered, with the introduction of
innovative means of maximising the use of technology.
Representation and relationships
- Represent
techfortrade at appropriate meetings.
- Develop
and maintain close working relationships with all key stakeholders
including government agencies, donors, other NGOs, etc.
- Liaison
with other financial partners and potential funders for current and future
business.
- Participate
in development of promotion and marketing materials and raise awareness,
promote and market the TSS model with new partners in the field and
contribute to the knowledge management centre.
Person specification
Essential
- Minimum
of a Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or business-related subjects
from a reputable university.
- Minimum
of 5 years' experience in implementing and managing financial systems
development programmes in microfinance models gained in developing countries
- Result
oriented with demonstrated ability to work independently
- Proven
experience in managing technology facilitated trading ability in micro
finance management and community mobilisation
- Proven
project management and training/facilitation skills
- Team
player with good coordination and communication skills
- Computer
proficiency
- Willingness
to undertake field visits
- Excellent
oral and written English
Desirable
- Master’s
degree preferred
- Previous
experience with IFAD and/or other donors and familiarity with IFAD
policies and procedures
- An
accounting training will be an added advantage
- Knowledge
of cloud based accounting software
Terms and conditions
Salary: Circa KES 2,000,000 per year
Location: Nairobi, Kenya with periodic travel to field offices, Tanzania and Uganda
Holiday: 25 days per year plus Kenya public holidays
Hours: 37.5 hours per week on 5 days a week basis
Contract: Fixed term for three years (with possibility of extension)
Probation: 3 months probationary period
Start date: ASAP
How to apply
If you are interested in this position, please send your CV (not more than 3 pages) and covering letter which should detail your skills and experiences and how they relate to the job description, to jobs@techfortrade.org.
Your covering letter should also include your salary
expectations and notice period/available start date.
Please indicate the position applied for in the subject line of
the email.
Closing date: 8th March 2013
1st Interviews: First interviews are likely to take place week commencing 18th March 2013. Exact dates to be confirmed.
2nd Interviews: Second interviews will take place the week commencing 1st April 2013.
