Current Openings at Solidaridad Eastern & Central Africa Expertise Centre (SECAEC)

Main objective of the function

The Climate Change & NRM section supports country project teams to drive change through actionable climate information and innovative practices that positively impact our farmers and workers within our commodity value chains.

Organizational position

The position will provide daily support and assistance to advance this objective through various tasks and responsibilities as outlined below.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide assistance in the collation and build-up of content for the ECA Climate Strategy, Related articles to support Climate Positioning in ECA, and the Climate smart best practice portfolio, borrowing from Solidaridad’s ECA projects success stories.
• Support to carry out continuous up-to-date environmental scan of potential climate finance partners across the ECA countries to inform deliberate profiling, mapping and onward engagement strategies.
• Support to scout for tools that could be customized to improve our work around climate change, ecosystem and sustainability measurement
• Assist to undertake project related climate vulnerability assessments where applicable and compile detailed reports

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environment, Natural Resource Management, Climate change or related disciplines.
• At least 1 year relevant experience and or demonstrable knowledge in environment, climate change and/or resilience would be a strong advantage
• Have proficient computer skills
• Academic coursework in conducting related primary and or secondary research
• Strong analytical and writing skills with the ability to summarize research data into meaningful findings
• Ability to work efficiently, independently, and be detail-oriented.
• Working knowledge in (written and spoken) English is required for this assignment. Capable of working in a dynamic, intercultural, and multi-stakeholder setting.

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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;

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Objective

The Project Officer is responsible for implementing the project activities in a timely and professional manner, according to objectives, goals and indicators and in line with organisational requirements and based on beneficiary needs. The Project Officer implements the project activities to ensure that Solidaridad projects are delivered on time and produce the desired results.

Position in the organisation

The Project Officer reports to the Project Manager or Senior Projects Manager at national and regional level and works closely with the Country (Projects) Manager at country level. The Project Officer works closely with the Head of Programmes, Senior Project Officers, Project Associates, innovation theme advisers and the quality function team.

Result areas

Project Planning

• Support the preparation of project work plans, budget and time schedules for implementing the project activities.
• Support the identification and planning of technical activities and requirements to implement the project as per organisational standards.

Project Implementation Follow-up

• Coordinate and implement day to day project activities with beneficiaries and partners in field ensuring that technical quality and standards are considered and respected during project(s) implementation.
• Ensure project activities are on time, target and budget, using effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems to reach desired impacts.
• Assist the Project Manager to trouble-shoot any project challenges during project implementation.
• Provide regular and timely updates on progress and challenges to the Project Manager and other team members.

Documenting and Compliance

• Keep records of all the project activity documents, in particular beneficiary list, completion certificates, attendance sheets, etc.
• Help maintain a beneficiary master database containing all beneficiary registration and baseline information, as well as the project activities from which the beneficiaries benefitted ensure the data is protected from misuse in line with Solidaridad’s data protection policy.

Beneficiary Engagement and Accountability

• Adhere to Solidaridad’s Code of Conduct and treat all beneficiaries with respect and without any distinction or discrimination based on nationality, race, ethnicity, tribe, gender, religious beliefs, political opinion or disability.
• Support the selection of beneficiaries benefiting from the project activities.
• Communicate Solidaridad’s Complaints and Response Mechanism target communities and participate in solving complaints related to the project in coordination with the Project Manager.

Internal Coordination

• Participate in project coordination meetings with the project team.
• Develop project communication materials for internal coordination.

External Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Undertake communication and liaison activities to actively consult and involve beneficiaries, key informants, actors, partners and stakeholders in all stages of project design and implementation.
• Cultivate good relations with key actors – local, regional and international, including government authorities and non-government organization actors, through regular attendance at technical meetings and bilateral meetings.
• Identify opportunities to collaborate and coordinate efforts with other organizations to ensure our activities build upon - rather than replicate - the work of others.

Partner Management

• Provide support to partners in project implementation and ensure timely and qualitative implementation of projects by partners in line with Solidaridad’s and donor requirements.
• Participate in review meetings with partners, with particular attention given to the relationship aspects of partnership collaboration, and ensure that any issues or disputes are resolved in a timely manner.

Security

• Ensure that each member of the project field team is aware of security issues, policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and they follow them accordingly.

Human Resource

• Ensure that project field staff understand and are able to perform their roles and responsibilities.
• Follow-up the work plans and day-to-day activities of the project field staff.
• Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics among project team members.
• Ensure capacity building among project team members.

Logistics

• Contribute to the development of project plans (e.g. procurement, logistics etc.), when assigned.
• Send accurate and precise order forms in a timely manner to the quality function team.
• Ensure proper management and use of the project assets and stocks.
• Plan field team movements based on available fleet and applicable policies.

Finance

• Forecast monthly cash requirements for the month’s project activities and submit to the Project Manager.

Quality Control

• Assess the project activities undertaken and ensure efficient use of resources.
• Undertake regular field visits to provide technical guidance and supervision, as well as regularly monitor the progress of the project activities.
• Assist with monitoring project activities implemented by field staff and partners (if any).
• Document lessons learned and best practices and share them with the Project Manager and the Regional Communications Officer, so they can be reflected in project planning, communication materials and decision making.

Grant Management

• Ensure adherence to donor procedures.
• Support the Project Manager in the preparation of progress and final reports, ensuring the quality and accuracy of technical information for activities.
• Participate in communication activities through the regular collection of pictures and stories related to project activities.
• Participate in businessl development processes through the provision of expert programmatic advice related to contextual knowledge.

Knowledge and experience

• Relevant academic level education, Master or higher – in relevant field (e.g. Agriculture, Public Policy, Development Studies, Social Science, Project Management, Strategic Management etc.). 
• At least three (3) years’ experience working with projects funded by international agencies or development partners.
• Demonstrable experience in project design, planning and implementation.
• Experience with proposal writing and technical report writing.
• Experience in designing and facilitating workshops and seminars would be desirable.

Specific job requirements

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to implement projects and local partners to effectively meet project needs.
• Ability to work effectively with governmental and non-governmental organizations and local communities in carrying out project objectives.
• Excellent reporting skills and ability to relate sensitively to diverse groups.
• Self-driven and able to deliver results with minimum supervision.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent critical, creative thinking and analytical skills.
• Experience in program administration, operating procedures, oversight and monitoring.
• Ability to work with database applications.
• Knowledge of project funding procedures and guidelines.
• Ability to work in diverse situations.