Project Leader / Access to Finance Expert – Access to Finance for Western Kenya (RK-FINFA ) Project at Cordaid International

Job Summary

• Effective  implementation of the Access to finance Project for Western Kenya (RK-FINFA) Project and support to other access to finance projects in the country office, acquisition and Business development. 

 Job Specification

• The position will handle both Technical and Programme management roles.
• The Project Leader/Access to Finance Expert will ensure that the Access to Finance for Western Kenya (RK-FINFA) Project is delivered effectively and efficiently in line with Cordaid’s vision and mission and themes as well as the project description as approved by the donor.
• S/He will be responsible for smooth project operation in line with Cordaid MASP and regional / country strategies, policies and procedures.
• The Project Leader/Expert will spend  30% of time on program management with special focus on the Access to finance for Western Kenya (RK-FINFA) project, 50% of time on Technical support for the  implementation activities for the  Access to finance  component and 20% of time on  support to other projects on the Access to Finance theme, acquisition and business development for Kenya in collaboration with Kenya Country Office Programme Team and The Regional business Development Manager for ESA Cluster.
• This function contributes to the efforts of the programme, finance and operational departments of the Cordaid Kenya Country Office; to the quality and consistency in relationships with donors and consortium members; to country office planning, managing funds and project implementation.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management

• The Project Leader/ Access to Finance Expert is overall responsible for project planning, implementation, monitoring, 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 organisations 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.   

Bid management

• Leads the bidding process  for calls for proposals and tenders related to the assigned specific donor portfolio. Leads negotiations for specific assigned bids. As manager of the bid team provides donor specific advice on rules, regulations and policy. Uses donor contacts to ensure the winning outcome of calls and proposals. Oversees (parts of) the role division, planning and communication with donors and a consortium in order to achieve a positive outcome for Cordaid.

Resource Mobilisation 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.  

Any other duties assigned by the manager ​ 

REQUIREMENTS

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 mobiliszations 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 Ssocial, 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 

Core competencies

• Personal Integrity  
• Creative and Innovative  
• Open and outgoing  
• Results Oriented  
• People skills 
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking 
• Ability to work independently under pressure and proactive work style  
• Affinity with the Catholic character of Cordaid 

Key Result Areas 

• Consortium coordination/partnership management  
• Coordination of own implementation activities 
• Linking, networking, and fundraising 
• Partner Capacity Building  
• Monitoring 
• Project management 

OTHERS/EXTRA DETAILS

Terms of employment

• The Cordaid East and Southern Africa (ESA) Cluster office human resource manual is applicable. 

Working conditions

• 40 hours a week 
• Travel to partner offices as and when needed