Economic Strengthening Technical Advisor (ESTA)

Position: Economic Strengthening Technical Advisor (ESTA)

Location: Dodoma

Deadline :Nov 15 2013

Description:

Africare is an independent, non-profit organization working to improve the quality of life Pi the people in Africa. Since 1970, Africare has worked in partnership with 35 African nations to build sustainable, healthy and productive lives and communities. Headquarters in Washington, DC with 1,400 international staff working across 21 country offices, Africare is the largest non-governmental organization working exclusively in Africa. Since 1970 Africare has provided more than $1 billion in direct aid to Africa for agriculture and food security, health and water and sanitation programs and projects. Location:Dodoma Zonal Office Schedule: Flexible with frequent travel in the central zone regions/districts Coordinates with: Regional Grants Officers, Regional M&E officers, Sub-Grantees technical officers, and Country Office Senior staff Summary of Position The ultimate goal of this position is to support project staff and partners in implementing state of art models of economic strengthening for vulnerable children. The position holder will strengthen the capacity of caregivers and communities to address the financial challenges that MVC households face in ensuring vulnerable children are able to access essential services, including safety, healthcare, education, and other basic needs. Of particular interest for this position is that Africare and its partners are able to establish or strengthen any innovative and sustainable social assistance programs such as income generating projects, and the facilitation of access to savings, business credit, skills training, employment (including self-employment), market linkages, and value chain development for MVC and their caregivers. Specific Responsibilities Take a multi-sectoral approach and ensure involvement of key stakeholders throughout the program to institute a process for identifying and coordinating multi-sector initiatives to support the economic needs of vulnerable households through the public and private partnerships. Also, ensure sustainable market opportunities-whether related to access to financial services, linkages to markets, or trade and private sector engagements. Develop initiatives that are based on sound market analysis. Ensure successful initiatives demonstrate a clear understanding of the children of concern, their caregivers, and the market realities-both opportunities and challenges-that they face. This includes ensuring economic strengthening activities are not only market-driven but also appropriate for the capacity, context, and culture of the intended participants. Weigh the benefits and risks of targeting participants for ES intervention. Ensure that ES projects through sub partners are supported to offer economic programming to primary caregivers and youth themselves (older MVC) " Identify best practices in ES and adapt them to the specific vulnerabilities of children and their household members Build partnerships to implement the projects. Ensure that numerous forms of partnerships are used to implement ES programming. For example through local community-based organizations (CBOs) or through a sub granting mechanism to either specialized economic development programs or local institutions working closer to the target populations. Develop interventions for sustainability and scalability. Ensure sustainable ES initiatives funded by Africare through support to local partner leads to sustained activities and continued income growth or asset accumulation by households. Good examples include microfinance institutions that offer loans in a given community have begun to reach sustainability. Another promising program option used in several projects is the Group Savings and Loan model. Identify robust indicators to effectively track performance and outcomes. Ensure economic interventions have evidence of a link between economic activities and positive outcomes for children. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Greater understanding of how public private partnerships (PPP) concept works Demonstrated understanding of key economic challenges facing most vulnerable children and their families in Tanzania; Demonstrated knowledge of gender-related issues facing vulnerable households, Possession of M&E skills with ability to analyze data and make effective program decisions based on available data Possess excellent leadership skills and ability to relate to effectively communicate and build consensus with a wide-range of stakeholders - from community caregivers to local government authorities Ability to function effectively both independently and collaboratively within a team environment for planning and program coordination. Demonstrated organizational, work management, and group process skills, ability to take initiative to identity and propose new tasks and procedures. Ability to take initiative and identity and propose innovative approaches to enhance project results and impact. Demonstrated competence in the use of software applications Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Demonstrated organizational and time management skills used in an office setting. Ability to travel to work sites as required.

Qualification:

Masters degree or equivalent in Business, Economics, and, development studies or any other related field preferred or Bachelors Degree with equivalent work experience.

Minimum 5 years professional experience, with at least 3 years direct experience designing and implementing sustainable market development programs.

Knowledge of economic development best practices and specific strategies for sustainable economic development of vulnerable populations including demonstrated knowledge of and experience with market development best practices such as value chain development, and microfinance is a key requirement
Prior experience working on USAID or USG funded projects is an added advantage.

How to apply:

Applications should include a resume and cover letter. In the cover letter (of no more than two pages in length) the candidate should briefly describe his or her motivation for the position and highlight relevant experience. Please send your application materials indicating the position you are applying for in the subject line to the following address:

Human Resources Manager

Africare Tanzania

P.O.Box 63187

Dar es Salaam

Your application materials must reach Africare not later than November 15, 2013. Unfortunately, due to the large number of applications that we receive, we may not be able to respond to each individual candidate. Please respect our no phone calls policy.