Senior Technical Advisor LINK UP

CARE is currently seeking a Senior Technical Advisor LINK UP. LINK UP is a 3.5 year project implemented in Kenya and Tanzania funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  CARE’s program is based on the hypothesis that informal savings groups, such as VSLA, not only provide valuable financial services to the ultra poor, but can also provide an opportunity for formal financial inclusion. VSLA build the financial skills and assets of participating households by providing small loans as well as access to safe, convenient places to save those loans.  

With a budget of over $3.4 million, the project’s ultimate goal is to increase formal financial inclusion for 500,000 individuals and their families in the target countries.

Responsibilities: 
Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic, operational and management oversight and leadership to the development and implementation of all strategies for the program.  
• Lead the planning and implementation of project activities, overseeing all aspects (programmatic, financial, administrative, personnel).  This includes, but is not limited to, overseeing the preparation of the annual work plans, identifying external technical support needs, ensuring that appropriate management practices are being used in project implementation and the monitoring and evaluation systems are being used to provide timely management information.  
• Ensure that all project interventions are of a high quality and lead to measurable impact. 
• Ensure that all project resources are being used efficiently, effectively and transparently towards meeting project objectives. 
• Organize project implementation/review meetings with project staff to follow-up on project progress, recommend and implement/oversee corrective measures as required, to address problem areas. Undertake monitoring visits.
• Lead and participate in the development of the project’s learning and research strategy. 
• Ensure its timely implementation.  Participate in the dissemination of results, learning and knowledge products (see Representation). 
• Prepare high-quality quarterly narrative reports.  Ensure the timely submission of quarterly financial and narrative reports. 

Leadership on Linkages with Financial Service Providers

• The STA is responsible for the technical leadership on the linkage component of the project, facilitating linkages between VSLA groups and financial service providers (FSPs).  
• Guide the identification and selection of FSP partners.
• Develop and maintain the relationship with financial institution partners.
• Lead on the planning of linkage components with CO staff and FSP partners.  
• Provide direction and capacity building to CO staff implementing linkage components of the project.  

Staff Management and Leadership

• Provide ongoing supervision, leadership, support and guidance to direct and indirect reports. 
• As appropriate, write job descriptions, interview and select staff. Participate as required, in training of staff.
• Develop individual operating plans with staff, coach and mentor and complete (or participate in) performance appraisals.  
• Develop and implement national staff development plans in conjunction with CARE and in pursuit of the project objectives.  
• Provide dotted line management, particularly on technical issues, to sector coordinators and project managers in participating COs.  
• Participate in the Annual Performance Appraisal (APA) process for sector coordinators and project managers, as required.

Representation

• The STA has significant representation responsibilities, for CARE, the LINK Up Project and Access Africa, via various fora and events.  
• Participate in the development of the overall Access Africa Strategy and meet with donors as required, to promote LINK Up.
• Participate in public fora to raise awareness of the project.  
• Liaise with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to keep them abreast of the progress on the project implementation.   

Coordination with Access Africa 

• The LINK Up project is being implemented in alignment with the Access Africa signature program. The incumbent will be a part of the Access Africa senior management team. S/he will work closely with the Access Africa Executive Director to ensure that both strategies are aligned.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Masters in relevant area
• 10 years experience in microfinance or financial inclusion and at least ten years experience working overseas in the management of international development projects
• Ability to make strategic decisions  
• Strong relationship building skills 
• Effective communication skills 
• Strong leadership and team building skills
• Experience in managing large scale, multi-country projects, preferably in Africa.
• Experience with or understanding of the banking sector and partnership development in  Africa
• Proven track record in managing and successfully implementing large scale rural development projects
• Demonstrated experience in project management: result-based management, strategic planning and participatory project review, human resource management, budget preparation, financial monitoring and reporting to donors
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Management and Leadership
• Banking and Finance
• Strategic Planning
• Familiarity with best practice in informal financial inclusion
• Advanced communication and presentation skills
• Advanced relationship building skills
• Fundraising
• Computer skills

How to apply:

https://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH05/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=CAREUSA&cw...