Financial Inclusion Junior Consultant- 2SCALE Project at International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

Tasks

• Take a participative and active role in the overall implementation of 2SCALE’s financial inclusion interventions.
• Mobilization, recruitment, and registration of VSLA/farmer organizations linked to ENP.
• Participate in the development and review of group-lending-specific financial products based on market needs.
• Work with VSLAs/ farmer organizations to deliver a range of financial literacy training targeted to their individual needs. These includs but not limited to record-keeping assistance, cash-flow management, credit management, and referrals to financial institutions.
• Coaching, mentoring, and hand-holding of Anglican Development Services Western Kenya Soybean AgriBusiness Cluster Coaches in the delivery of financial literacy training.
• Recording, verifying and assessment of data on VSLA/ farmer organization savings.
• Identify, initiate, and manage community strategic partnerships that increase the quality of 2SCALE’s Financial Inclusion interventions.
• Train and onboard select VSLAs on Chomoka digital tool and monitor their performance and progress in utilization.
• Submit timely monthly and quarterly reports as required by 2SCALE.
• Support 2SCALE communications team with success stories from the field.

Environmental screening and mitigation measures

• This assignment will not have any significant adverse effect on the environment.

Expected results

Successful undertaking of the aforementioned tasks will result in:

• Increased financial literacy among soybean smallholder farmers, and other partnership actors.
• Increased savings in the VSLAs, with savings data captured under the partnership’s UII-8
• Creation of linkages between ENP the VSLAs and financial institutions operating within Western Kenya.

Required Skills

• Proficiency in computers is mandatory.
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial statements.
• A clear understanding of the microfinance/banking industry is an added advantage.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills with excellent customer service.
• A team player with the drive to improve performance.
• Persuasive with strong recognition and facilitation skills.
• Self-driven with the ability to work independently under minimum supervision.
• Knowledge of Luhya and Kiswahili dialects.

Required Experience

• An undergraduate bachelor’s degree in Business related courses from a recognized institution.
• Knowledge in sales and marketing, group lending, credit, and risk management as well as relevant experience in the micro-finance and banking sectors
• Experience working with rural communities, table banking “chamas” or farmer organizations or farmer groups
• Experience in delivering training of financial education, mentoring and coaching.
• Prior experience interacting with chomoka digital tool will be an added advantage.