Jasiri Fund Manager at GROOTS Kenya

• GROOTS Kenya seeks to recruit an experienced Jasiri Fund Manager who will lead and coordinate the implementation of Jasiri Fund activities, with a focus on providing loans and grants to young women entrepreneurs and survivors of GBV.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning and Program Management:

• Develop and implement Jasiri Fund activities ensuring effective and efficient financial management to support survivors of GBV.
• Ensure that the financing products and services are gender-responsive and inclusive especially for vulnerable young women survivors of GBV.
• Collaborate with Jasiri consortium partners and key stakeholders to identify and address financial barriers faced by survivors of GBV in accessing financial opportunities.

Financial Management:

• Lead the financial management of the Jasiri Fund (program grants and loans),financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations and laws of Kenya.
• Oversee the processing, appraisal and recommendation of loan applications, including follow up on loan repayment.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and donor requirements in the utilization of funds.
• Work closely with key financial institutions and other partners to establish and strengthen mechanisms for providing financial inclusion services to survivors of GBV, including microfinance and savings programs.
• Assess and manage the risks associated with the Jasiri fund and propose practical/ necessary prevention approaches and action to mitigate risks.

Team Leadership and Capacity Strengthening:

• Provide leadership and guidance to the Jasiri Fund team in effectively managing funds to support survivors of GBV.
• Conduct training and capacity strengthening activities to enhance the financial management skills of survivors of GBV and GROOTS Kenya staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability and transparency in the management of funds, promoting adherence to financial procedures and ethical standards.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL):

• Liaise with GROOTS Kenya MERL Manager to develop MEL frameworks to track and monitor the financial performance of the Jasiri Fund activities and assess their impact on the socio-economic resilience of survivors of GBV.
• Utilize MEL findings to identify areas of improvement in financial management practices and inform strategic decision-making and implementation.
• Document and share lessons learned and best practices related to gender responsive and inclusive financial services and products for young women entrepreneurs.

Partnership Development and Resource Mobilization:

• Establish and maintain partnerships with Jasiri Consortium partners, financial institutions, government agencies, and other stakeholders to leverage resources and support for survivors of GBV.
• Advocate for policies and initiatives that promote access to finance and economic empowerment for survivors of GBV at local, national, and regional levels.
• Mobilize additional resources for the Jasiri Fund, with a focus on securing funding for financial inclusion initiatives for survivors of GBV.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in finance, economics, business administration, entrepreneurship, commerce, international development or related discipline.
• Holds a professionally recognized qualification in finance or accounting – e.g. Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Management Accountant (CMA), Chartered Accountant Certification, Chartered Financial Analyst etc.
• At least 5 years of experience in grants and fund management, preferably in development programmes or organizations focused on gender equality, youth empowerment, or economic empowerment.
• Proven track record of effectively managing funds and budgets, including experience in budget development, financial reporting, and compliance.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations and loans administration, with the ability to ensure adherence to financial procedures, donor requirements and ethical standards.
• Commitment to gender equality and women’s rights and demonstrable experience working with non-governmental entities on designing and implementing economic empowerment programs for marginalized populations, including survivors of gender-based violence.
• Demonstrate leadership abilities, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and manage teams towards achieving the set goals.
• Fluency in English and in Swahili.