Project Facilitator- Rural Micro-financing

World Vision is a Christian Development, Relief and Advocacy Non-Government Organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision is committed to the protection of children and does not employ people whose background is not suitable for working with children. All employment is conditioned upon successful completion of all applicable background checks, including criminal record.

World Vision Tanzania is seeking to recruit a suitable candidate to fill the following position:

Job Ref No: WVT/P&C/FY14/44

Job Title:  Project Facilitator- Rural Micro-financing  

Reports to: Sustainable Livelihood and Economic Development Specialist    

Location; Babati Cluster

Purpose of the position:

Under the supervision of the Sustainable Livelihood and Economic Development Specialist, the incumbent will facilitate the roll-out of the HISF strategy with Vision Fund Tanzania whose goal is to provide SGs, CPGs and Commercial Villages with access to appropriate financial and non-financial services.  This facilitation will focus on two core areas—

(i)                 supporting Vision Fund Tanzania in the design and implementation of market research in order to better understand the needs of target populations

(ii)                (ii) Working with Vision fund Tanzania to interpret, analyze and translate market research findings into financial products that are in-line with the project’s SAFe strategy.

The HISF Strategic approach relies on ground-testing assumptions through qualitative focus groups and key-informant interviews, step-by-step accompaniment and facilitating joint decision making in order to ensure institutional buy-in. The Facilitator will use these or similar methodologies in order to advance his/her work with Vision Fund Tanzania. 

 MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with the Sustainable Livelihood and Economic Development Specialist (HISF technical lead) and Vision Fund Tanzania  to develop overall implementation plan
• Determine the market research needs and priorities, existing capacities and resources and then develop a market research sampling and implementation plan in coordination with Vision Fund counterparts
• Design market research tools and train Vision Fund staff in the collection and reporting of data
• Work closely with Vision Fund to analyze and interpret data
• Conduct a product design workshop with a focus on adapting current products that serve SGs, CPGs and CV; use results to adapt current products and adapt new ones with Vision Fund staff

 MARKET RESEARCH

• Develop a market research report that includes at least the elements below:
• Identification of financial and non-financial needs of SGs, CPGs and CV in the project area
• Identification of partners to provide financial and non-financial services and what are their trends, plans to find out matters of mutual interests?
• Suitable tools or methodologies  for  outreach and provision of financial and non-financial services
• Consumption, purchasing and social trends for local communities and Key persons who affect taking purchasing decisions.
• Seasonal income, savings for areas and individuals.
• Seasonal consumption, indebtedness  and  expenditure for areas and individuals
• Availability and current utilization of potential collaterals
• Potential demand for lending and savings products.
• Number of targeted activities in each sector.
• Demographical, geographical and agriculture characteristics (information) of study areas.
• Educational levels of population

PRODUCT ADAPTATION

• Based on the results of the market research, the facilitator will work with Vision Fund Tanzania  to adapt their current products, suggest new ones and produce a report that summarizes the findings:
• Necessary adaptations to current products to fulfill the targeted segment needs
• A list of potential new products and features of at least three products that could be piloted:  Agricultural, chickens , youth rural lending products, Rural savings products, Rural insurance, Banking services (cashless banking )
• Needed adjustments  in the bank organization structure and MIS system to provide the rural products ·    
•  In collaboration with the DM&E Specialists, develop and administer pre- and post- knowledge questionnaires to measure impact of knowledge sharing, and other materials related to project training and advocacy.

• Work closely with the Specialist to ensure project activities are in line with World Vision agriculture/livelihood policies, criteria and procedures.
• Participate in project trainings, surveys, monitoring exercises, and donor, country and head office visits, as required.
• Compile clear and accurate reports on project trainings and other activities, as required.
• Participate in project planning and review meetings, as required.  
• Assist the DME Specialist in preparing weekly internal progress reports and quarterly/annual donor reports.
• Extract lesson learning from project implementation, and compile and share case studies with the organization and other project stakeholders as required.
• Provide regular and timely communication to your supervisor and field colleagues on progress during project implementation, highlighting successes; delays; risks; challenges; irregularities and opportunities encountered during your work.
• Carry out any other duties assigned by the Specialist or the Chief of Party

Other Competencies/Attributes:

• Must be a committed Christian, able to stand above denominational diversities.
• As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key duties.

  Qualifications:  Education/Knowledge/Technical Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in rural microfinance, business, economics, marketing, policy, public administration, international relations/development or equivalent

• Working experience in related field
• Experience baseline data collection using GIS tools
• Experience in farm equipment and mechanization
• Background in cereals, pulses or horticultural promotion projects

• Excellent interpersonal skills, proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills
• Computer literacy is essential

How to Apply;

Interested candidates who meet the above criteria should submit their applications letter (addressed to People and Culture Manager) together with an updated CV and copies of relevant credentials, contacts and three referees one of them being a church leader towvt_recruit@wvi.org before 30th June 2014