Project Leader / Access to Finance Expert at Cordaid International

Cordaid works to end poverty and exclusion. We do this in the world’s most fragile and conflict-affected areas as well as in the Netherlands. We engage communities to rebuild trust and resilience and increase people’s self-reliance. Our professionals provide humanitarian assistance and create opportunities to improve security, health care and education and stimulate inclusive economic growth.

 

Project Leader / Access to Finance Expert

• Job TypeFull Time
• QualificationBA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
• Experience7 years
• LocationNairobi
• Job FieldFinance / Accounting / Audit  , Project Management 

Result area Description

• Project Management The Project Leader/ Access to Finance Expert is overall responsible for project planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and closing out, as well as developing a follow up phase. The Project Manager will support the project officer in operational activities, establish and enhance relations with the local consortium and private enterprise partners as well as representatives of donors and the Kenyan authorities and is the principal liaison with other stakeholders within the specific project region/counties. S/He will manage the project with respect to risks, stakeholders, issues and the project team. Agrees with all contributors to project success deliverables, with a large amount of intercultural sensitivity. Understands partners and matches desired results and contextual factors. Stimulates progress and makes necessary adjustments to realise the project within given boundary conditions; scope, time, budget and quality. The Project Leader/Access to Finance Expert will be responsible for clean, accurate and up to date data and archiving of the project in the Cordaid Project Management systems and is accountable to the country manager for the correctness and accuracy of the data.
• Project Implementation: The Project Leader/ Access to Finance Expert will take lead in the delivery and monitoring of the Access to Finance component. S/He will provide technical guidance for designing of financial products and services ensuring improved access to finance for underserved areas. S/He will advise and assist financial service providers including banks, Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) and SACCOs to design and implement new or improved financial services and products, facilitate access to finance for youth and women and persons with disability. The Project Leader/ Access to Finance Expert will be the principal liaison between financial institutions, including banks, MFIs, impact investors, and other financial service providers in the implementation of this project. S/He manages the project with respect to risks, stakeholder's issues and the project team. Agrees with all contributors to project success deliverables, with a large amount of intercultural sensitivity.
• Project plan Translates the Cordaid project results into specific results in designated project areas and formulates an operational project plan. Remains within budget propositions and infrastructural possibilities. Keep up to date with the Political Economic Social Technical situation of the project region as well as relevant developments affecting the project environment and incorporate these developments into effective project management and guidance. Prepare and develop follow up phases and progressive scaling of the project
• Financial management Manages the project budget ensuring expenditures are in
• line with what was planned for. Reports regularly on budget realisation and acts proactively to comply with the budget.
• Field & Partner visits Monitors the achievements of projects within the field with partners, reviews field reports, analyzes field data and formulates conclusions, discussion points and recommendations for all stakeholders
• Network representation Identifies and establishes contacts with organizations and
• explores representation for potential areas for collaboration, taking into account the mission statement of Cordaid and the possibilities within existing projects. Establish contact with representatives of consortium partners, UNCDF, INGOs and funding institutions based in the region; participate and represent Cordaid in networks where relevant. Represent Cordaid at local government level: maintain and strengthen contacts with the relevant ministries and local authorities.
• Project reports Prepares consolidated project reports about the results both Technical Narrative and Financial Reports specifics, budget and expenditures and possible deviations following required reporting standards, providing solutions to minimize impact of deviations.
• Monitoring, Evaluation: Leads the implementation of MEL plan for the project. Facilitates the dissemination of promising practices and lessons learned. Ensure integration of innovations and best practices in the project implementation process.

Human Resources management:

• Leads and coaches the multidisciplinary, intercultural and inter-gender project team on a day-to-day basis in accordance with the management style of Cordaid, focused on productivity, the professional development of staff and employee satisfaction. Coaches staff and leaves room for professional freedom to determine how to execute the work. Builds on the strengths and talents of staff members to improve team performance. Emphasis teamwork, project-based working and commitment. Ensures efficient use of Human resources and controls quality of work. Conduct Performance appraisals of staff under his/her responsibility in line with Cordaid’s policy.

Resource Mobilization and Business Development:

• Contributes and supports the identification of opportunities, development and writing of successful funding proposals and budgets. Interacts with (potential) local/institutional donors, convincingly arguing the added value of Cordaid as to acquire funds and ensure the future funding for the programme(s) in Kenya. This includes increasing revenues, growth in terms of business expansion, increasing profitability by building strategic partnerships and making strategic business decisions.
• Integrity Adheres to the code of conduct and Integrity Policies, reports concern and follows regular integrity trainings. This is a high-risk position, with unsupervised contact with communities.
• Other Performs other duties as relevant for the country office (e.g. give input to policies, provide strategic advice on programmes, provide feedback on annual plans or reports, contribute to fundraising efforts etc.) Manages local project related security matters and advises on updating the security plans.

Qualifications Specifications

Academic Qualifications:

• University degree or advanced certificate / professional qualification in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Finance, International development, social sciences Project Management or any other relevant subject area.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experiences

• Management knowledge and coaching styles, project management, managing international cooperation with local partners, country/region of the Country Office, techniques, reporting standards and languages.
• Broad understanding of agricultural financial product development, fund mobilisations and capacity building for financial institutions with practical experience agricultural financing need assessment,
• Broad understanding and knowledge of agriculture financing trends and challenges in Kenya and in the region
• Good knowledge and understanding of the Social, economic, and political situation in Kenya
• Specific skills, knowledge, and experience in designing and implementing Lobby and Advocacy
• Behavioral values and skills: trust, accountability, problem solving, cooperation, teambuilding, negotiation, conflict management, collaboration, flexibility, creativity
• Writing skills to clearly formulate project proposals, project plan and project reports
• Proven track record of effective project/program management particularly related to Access to Finance Projects.
• Skills in partnership management, negotiation, fundraising, networking and facilitation and training skills and effective communication, including intercultural sensitivity and communication.
• At least 7 years’ experience in agricultural finance focusing on smallholders & agri- SMEs, extensive experience facilitating access to finance and working with financial institutions with practical experience of providing technical guidance /advisory on agricultural financing.
• At least 4 years of experience in managing professional projects and/or (sub-)offices of international organizations or companies.
• Extensive experience working with high level international and national partners including consultants, stakeholders and government institutions and officials,
• Experience in organizing, facilitating workshops and events with high level audience,
• Experience in partner identification, developing and managing relationships with partners

Method of Application

Interested and qualified? Go to Cordaid International on cordaid.hrmagic.co to apply