Access to Finance Internship at Solidaridad Eastern & Central Africa Expertise Centre (SECAEC)

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The primary role of the Access to Finance Intern is to support Solidaridad East and Central Africa projects on access to finance for farmers, Cooperative, Small and Medium Enterprises. The individual (Intern) will be responsible directly (or in a support role) for the timely delivery of a variety of Access to finance activities. The individual will work under the direct supervision of the Access to Finance Officer. This internship opportunity is for a three to six months term. 

Roles and responsibilities.

Business acceleration: Support the accelerator project through provision of business advisory services to entrepreneurs so that their companies become investment ready using tailored solutions. Specific tasks include;

• Keep track of entrepreneurs progress under the tailored solutions
• Assist in managing client emails on a timely basis 
• Monitor the activities in the program to ensure timely completion 
• Support with the evaluation process for both entrepreneurs and coaches applications for consideration into the program
• Support in the development, printing, signing, coordination and custodian of letters of agreement for entrepreneurs in the program
• Support Administration in planning and organizing trainings for entrepreneurs 
• Performing other duties as assigned

Impact Fund (PlusPlus Crowd funding)

• Support in scouting of new Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
• Undertake first screening and onboard the new clients
• Support in loan appraisal and due diligence process
• Monitor assigned portfolio
• Performing other duties as assigned

Access to finance component in Projects 

• Support in the development of concepts and proposals 
• Support in profiling potential financial partners across project countries
• Conduct light due-diligence on potential financial partners and support the negotiation process and finalization of the partnership agreements.
• Actively participate in the periodic program planning, review and reflection meetings
• Support research, assessments, evaluations and monitoring surveys in projects
• Support in documenting the impact of access to finance components in projects
• Monitor and follow-up on the delivery of activities as per project plan and budget
• Performing other duties as assigned

Communication and Visibility

• Work with the project staff and the Communication team to identify best practices on access to finance for internal and external dissemination.

Reporting Structure: 

The intern will report directly to Access to Finance Officer. The intern will also work very closely with the impact investment (PlusPlus), innovation and Project teams.  The projects include Growth Accelerator, From Climate Victim to Climate Heroes, Reclaim sustainability, Passport to Coffee Export (PACE), LISEC JOBS, TRACE Coffee and any other project that require support from time to time.

Expected Qualifications & Skills  

• The intern should have a first degree in Business studies, Social sciences, or a related field. 
• Strong analytical and attention to details 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and external relations;
• Excellent organizational skills and coordination skills
• Independent, adaptable, flexible and hardworking;