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Local Facilitator at IESC

Position Description

 

Local Facilitator for Seed Sector Analysis

 

Location Tanzania

 

Department Programs

 

Employment Type Consultant

 

Local Facilitator , Seed Sector Analysis for the Feed the Future Tanzania Agri Finance Project

 

IESC is a leading US nonprofit organization that helps people improve their lives by strengthening economic opportunities in developing countries. We help to create sustainable jobs, improve productivity, grow incomes, and strengthen micro, small and medium sized enterprises. We work with farmers, entrepreneurs, cooperatives, financial service providers, market actors, and governments to share proven skills and tools – human, technological, and financial – that help communities thrive .

 

IESC through the USAID Funded, Feed the Future Tanzania Agri-Finance Project is seeking a Tanzanian consultant to support an upcoming assignment focused on assessing the seed production business in Tanzania to unveil its potentials, opportunities and profitability . The seed study will identify opportunities for collaboration between seed producers/out growers and financial institutions, and areas for c apacity strengthening on both sides to unlock financing opportunities to increase the production and availability of quality seeds to Tanzanian farmers, with an emphasis on youth and women.

 

The assignment is anticipated to begin in August 202 4 , with a particular focus on conducting a thorough seed sector analysis to examine the trend towards financing seed production and distribution activities in Tanzania and provide the status of financing seed production for food crops (maize, rice, sorghum, beans and horticultural crops) in the project zone of influence . On the supplier side, t he assignment will also examine Tanzania n policies on seed production, multiplication, distribution, and consumption , and analyze the effects on investments in the sub sector , explore seed system players current initiatives to secure financing for seed production, multiplications, and distribution . The assignment will examine the status of seeds used by smallholder farmers and factors behind their seed s election . The assignment wi ll further examine seed production business potential , returns and opportunities for financing from formal financial institutions , and i dentify ways to increase financing to the seed sector . This will includ e how to support the seed system players to establish short and long-term business relationships and partnerships with financial institutions , and financial institutions to deploy more credit and financing in the seed sector , i dentify the availability of specialized financial products and services that meet the needs of seed sector players , and identify required product terms/structure to expand opportunities to the sector .

 

The anticipated level of effort for this assignment is up to 18 days with 7 5 % of the days spent setting up interviews and facilitating the collect i on of primary data from local stakeholders in Tanzania . Stakeholders w i ll i nclud e financial institutions, farmers and farmer groups, seed companies, TASTA (association of seed traders), government ministries and agencies, and Local Government Authorities , . In t erviews will identify the bottlenecks faced by seed system players to access agricultural financial services in Tanzania, including access to collateral, productive resources, knowledge, and other factors to be determined .

 

The candidate selected for this position will serve as facilitator, working alongside another consultant to conduct interviews with key stakeholders in the country . IESC will consider candidates who have experience working in Tanzania and across East Africa region and particularly in agriculture and the seed subsector .

 

Responsibilities will include :

  •  Id entifying , and organizing interviews with financial institutions, farmers and farmer groups, seed companies, TASTA (association of seed traders), government ministries and agencies, and Local Government Authorities , and other interested stakeholders to understand the current challenges, and opportunities related to Seed production, processing , distribution, and consumption ,
  •  Serving as interpreter during stakeholder interviews with the lead consultant when appropriate
  •  Taking notes during stakeholder interviews
  •  Coordinating with the lead consultant to identify need s and p rovide recommendations on effective strategies for engaging target populations , including specific financial product and service design and operational improvements required by financial institutions, and knowledge/ capacity strengthening requirements among potential borrowers.

 

Competencies Requested:

  •  Higher university degree in business development, business administration, economic development, agriculture, agriculture economics, or another related field of study
  •  At least 8 years of relevant experience in business development, enterprise development, business management, agri-business and agri -financing
  •  Independence and strong interpersonal skills
  •  Experience in research work, statistics, and conducting and synthesizing both primary and secondary data into written deliverables eZN2LWb Dmw3zg
  •  Extensive practical experience in agricultural financing
  •  Experience assessing the constraints and identifying opportunities in the agricultural sector
  •  Demonstrated ability to identify , and coordinate with various stakeholders across public and private sectors
  •  Creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
  •  Goal-oriented mindset and hands-on approach .
  •  Good written and verbal communication skills .
  •  Self-motivated, proactive, detail-oriented, mature, professional team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  •  Ability to address issues, challenges, questions, and concerns in a professional, respectful, logical, and timely manner.
  •  Ability to work effectively in cross-cultural contexts.
  •  Prior experience of working in developing country contexts – especially in Tanzania and/or East Africa – will be helpful; and
  •  Excellent written and spoken communication skills in Kiswahili and English

 

Qualified candidates are invited to send their CV and a one-page cover letter indicating technical expertise in, geographic experience in the Country and region, and examples of relevant experience in the sector .

How to Apply:

 

This is Full-time Job, To submit your application, please follow the link provided below.

 

Submit Your Application

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Resource Mobilization Strategy at IESC

Position Description

 

Resource Mobilization Strategy

 

Location Tanzania

 

Department Programs

 

Employment Type Volunteer

 

USAID-Funded

 

Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program

 

Scope of Work

 

Resource Mobilization Strategy

 

Description of the Program:

 

Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) serves as the lead implementer for the Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program (F2F A2F) to address deficits in the financial ecosystem hindering investment and growth in agriculture for individual farmers, as well as micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises through the delivery of volunteer technical assistance . IESC has designed a thematic F2F program to generate sustainable, broad-based economic growth and create jobs in the agricultural sector with a special focus on assistance to women and youth. Focusing on Kenya, Tanzania, and Liberia, the F2F A2F Program will work with local partner organizations and volunteer hosts to field pro bono experts from the U.S. agriculture, corporate, and banking sectors to address systemic capacity constraints for farmers and lenders in each targeted country and unlock finance for improved agricultural production leading to utilization of agricultural technologies and increased sales and incomes.

 

Problem Statement:

 

Sacco s in Tanzania contribute greatly to economic growth and poverty eradication among many low-income earners and marginalized groups. Saccos allow members to access credit and other financial services at lower costs and more convenient time s than those offered by traditional banks , and they tailor flexible repayment terms to meet the needs of their members. Saccos also provide a safe place for members looking for ways to save for emergencies or future investments without taking out loans, which is particularly important in areas where formal financial institutions are scarce, unavailable or expensive. While Saccos have made significant strides in promoting financial incl usion in Ta nzania, they face challenges that hinder their growth such as limited financial resources. Due to their focus on low-income earners , Saccos are constrained by low capital contribution and a limited finances to lend to customers. Many Saccos struggle to mobilize sufficient funds for lending, investment opportunities, or meeting operational expenses.

 

Members’ regular contributions, loans from financial institutions, direct donor support, government support and president funds are some of the main sources of funds for a SACCO . Nonetheless, many SACCOs in Tanzania are not capable of maximizing these opportunities for fund ing provided by financial institutions, supporting institutions and donors.

 

The Farmer-to-Farmer Access to Finance Program has partnered with a Saccos in Zanzibar struggling to rais e enough capital to run its operations and serv e its members at full capacity . The Saccos needs support d eveloping a resource mobilization strategy and training the Saccos members on techniques to attract capital and managefunds . F2F A2F is recruiting a U.S. citizen or permanent resident volunteer expert experienced in mobilizing resources and capital raising to support the Saccos to develop a resource mobilization strategy. This assignment will allow Saccos to gain the skills needed to raise more capital and function more sustainably.

 

Objectives:

 

1. T rain Saccos le aders and members in resource m obilization and fund management skills.

 

2. Develop a resource mobilization strategy for Saccos adoption .

 

Deliverables:

 

1. Training materials

 

2. Resource mobilization strategy

 

3. Final trip report with at least four measurable /achi evable recommendations

 

4. Power Point Presentation summarizing the accomplishments of the assignment .

 

Anticipated In-Country Schedule:

 

Day

 

Activity

 

Location

 

Estimated number of days

 

Pre-departure

  •  Review: Volunteer Manual, Country Guide, Host Profile, Environmental Materials
  •  Review: Available SACCOs information including information on resource mobilization and identify any country -specific information needed to tailor the assignment to the local context.

 

Home country

 

1

 

Day 1

  •  Depart from the US

 

US to Dar

 

1

 

Day 2

  •  Arrive in Tanzania

 

Dar es Salaam

 

1

 

Day 3

  •  Debriefing meeting with F2F A2F team
  •  Fly from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar
  •  Meet with the host for introduction and s tart of the assignment.

 

Dar -Zanzibar

 

1

 

Day 4

  •  Spend time with the Saccos staff to understand the operations and challenges.

 

Zanzibar

 

1

 

Day 5

  •  Meet with selected potential organizations (FIs, Government, donors) to explore funding opportunities and requirements.

 

Zanzibar

 

1

 

Day 6-7

  •  Development of training materials and resource mobilization strategy .

 

Zanzibar

 

2

 

Day 8

  •  Test the training materials and the fundraising strategy with the executives and leadership and review

 

Zanzibar

 

1

 

Day 9

  •  Rest

 

Zanzibar

 

1

 

Day 10- 11

  •  Train the Saccos leaders and members on resource mobilization and capital management.

 

Zanzibar

 

2

 

Day 12

  •  Conduct feedback session with the host
  •  Submit the strategy

 

Zanzibar

 

1

 

Day 13

  •  Report writing

 

Zanzibar

 

1

 

Day 14

  •  Fly from Zanzibar to Dar
  •  Debriefing with F2F A2F team and USAID
  •  Submit the report.
  •  Depart to US

 

Dar to US

 

1

 

Day 15

    • eZN4wl6 Dmw3zg

 

  •  Arrive in US

 

US

 

1

 

Total

 

15 Days

 

Additional Travel Information:

 

Zanzibar is an archipelago lo cated a short 20-minute flight from Dar es Salaam. Otherwise known as Spice Island, Zanzibar is famous for its unique exotic beaches. The climate is typically insular, tropical, and humid, with an average annual rainfall of 60 to 80 inches (1,500 to 2,000 mm). Rainfall is reliable and well-distributed in comparison with most of eastern Africa . Northeast trade winds blow from December to March and southeast trade winds from May to October. The “long rains” occur between March and May and the “short rains” between October and December.

 

Before visiting Zanzibar, prepare to travel respectful ly and wear modest clothing . Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania that is predominately Muslim . I t’s important to show respect for the culture when traveling in Zanzibar.

 

Other important travel considerations:

  •  Volunteer experts are expected to bring their own laptop for use on assignment
  •  Flights, ground transportation and hotels will be booked and paid for directly by IESC
  •  Volunteer experts will be provided a smartphone with a local sim card for use during the assignment
  •  F2F A2F assignments are very engaging and a full-time commitment while in-country. Any tourism or other personal activities in-country must be conducted after the assignment is completed.
  •  Travel and lodging conditions may vary depending on the location of the assignment. Volunteer assignments may require extended travel via taxi to remote locations, or stays in rural areas with fewer amenities. IESC can provide more information about travel and lodging during the volunteer onboarding process.

 

Volunteer Outreach:

 

USAID and IESC encourage all F2F A2F volunteers to participate in public outreach. An important objective of the program is to increase awareness of Americans’ good work in developing countries. Volunteers should select at least one outreach activity from the list below, to be completed within one month of return to the US:

  •  Write an entry for the IESC website.
  •  Post a photo, video, or text related to the F2F A2F assignment on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, personal website or other social media site, and send a link to IESC staff.
  •  Send a press release to a local newspaper in the volunteer’s hometown. (IESC can provide a template)
  •  Write something for an alumni or professional association newsletter, or other publication. (IESC can help as needed).
  •  Give a presentation about the F2F A2F assignment to colleagues, students, religious group, rotary club, etc.
  •  Send an email about F2F A2F to friends, family, or colleagues.

 

Requested Expertise of Volunteer Expert:

  •  At least a Master’s, MBA, or equivalent in Finance, banking, Economics, Marketing, International Development, Communication, International Relations and any other related course
  •  Six (6) years of relevant experience in fundraising, generating significant funding, mobilizing resources and preferably worked with international organizations.
  •  Experience in the loan syndications , preferably working in a commercial or investment bank environment, as well as the ability to build positive partnerships with key stakeholders across the bank.
  •  Good interpersonal skills, practical experience and strong background in resource mobilization, fundraising, advocacy, lobbying, networking, marketing, promotion, engagement and visibility endeavors and aspects.
  •  Experience working with microfinances /SACCOS and women & youth entrepreneurs will be an added advantage.
  •  Experience working in Tanzania and/or the region is a plus .
  •  Strong leadership and communication skills and capacity to plan strategically and flexibly.
  •  Sufficiently physically fit, with appropriate medical clearance.
  •  Writing Skills: reporting requires good computer skills including, but not limited to, working, and generating reports with MS Word. Experience with PowerPoint presentations is desirable.
  •  Good writing and analytical skills, interpersonal communication, and presentation skills (adult education skills).
  •  All F2F A2F volunteers must be US citizens or permanent residents.

How to Apply:

 

This is Full-time Job, To submit your application, please follow the link provided below.

 

Submit Your Application

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Financial Literacy Training at IESC

Position Description

 

Financial Literacy Training

 

Location Tanzania

 

Department Programs

 

Employment Type Volunteer

 

The Feed the Future Tanzania Agri-Finance Project

 

Scope of Work

 

Financial Literacy Training

 

Program Description:

 

The Feed the Future Tanzania Agri Finance Project is an access to finance project working to improve access to finance for smallholders, women, youth, and micro, small, medium (including large) enterprises ( MSMiLs ) in Tanzania by improving the agri -finance ecosystem and strengthening the capacity of both borrowers and lenders. The Feed the Future Tanzania Agri-Finance Project will prioritize interventions that increase availability and adoption of priority technologies, including climate-smart technology, and create more inclusive agricultural finance ecosystems, enable expanded and sustained lending and investment, and increase productivity and incomes.

 

Project interventions will support 20 financial institutions, 15 demand-side institutions including agricultural enterprises and women and youth groups, train 300 financial institution staff, and reach 18,000 borrowers with $21 million in agricultural finance facilitated in Tanzania. The Feed the Future Tanzania Agri-Finance Project will utilize a system-driven, private sector-led approach to target agricultural market coordination failures and develop commercially oriented solutions that will sustain and scale agri -financing. The project includes two interconnected strategic objectives to achieve tangible, positive impact for smallholder farmers, women, youth, agro -enterprises, and financial institutions.

 

Objective 1: Improve income and bankability of smallholders, women, youth and micro, small and medium (including large) enterprises.

 

The Feed the Future Tanzania Agri-Finance Project will deliver targeted technical capacity strengthening and direct training and coaching to smallholders, women, youth, and MSMiLs beneficiaries in financial and money management skills and tools, business planning, finance and investment, development of business funding proposals, records keeping, loan applications, and loan repayment and/or savings strategies.

 

Objective 2: Strengthen financial institution operational capacity to expand agri – lending.

 

The Feed the Future Tanzania Agri-Finance Project will provide targeted support to supply side financial institutions to develop new agri -finance products and improve operational capabilities and efficiencies, build capacity and strengthening their motivation to expand agri -lending to smallholders, women, youth, and MSMiLs – with a focus on priority and climate-smart technologies such as irrigation, inputs, storage, and value addition. The Feed the Future Tanzania Agri Finance Project is an access to finance project working to improve access to finance for smallholders, women, youth, and micro, small, medium (including large) enterprises ( MSMiLs ) in Tanzania by improving the Agri finance ecosystem and strengthening the capacity of borrowers and lenders. With a particular emphasis on priority technologies, including climate- smart technologies. The Feed the Future project is working to create more inclusive agricultural finance ecosystems, enable expanded and sustained lending and investment, and increase productivity and incomes. The Recipient interventions will increase supported financial institutions from 9 to 20, train 300 financial institution staff, and reach 18,000 borrowers with $21 million in agricultural finance. The project will utilize a system-driven, private sector-led approach to target agricultural market coordination failures and develop commercially oriented solutions that will sustain and scale agri -financing.

 

Problem Statement:

 

Lack of financial management skills is a major factor preventing smallholder farmers , particularly youth and women , from accessing finance and improv ing performance. Many smallholder farmers, youth , and women in the country conduct their farming business with only a basic knowledge of financial matters. This leads to poor planning, budgeting , investment in agricultur al productivity enhanc ing technologies , and financial decisions such as inadequate savings and over reliance on informal sources of credit when financial needs arise. Smallholders, youth and women also lack the tools they need to manage their money , expand and sustain their farming businesses. Consequently, they are vulnerable to economic shocks arising from life events or unexpected emergencies that can have a devastating influence on their businesses and livelihoods. As a result, smallholders’ youth and women are often unable to meet day-to-day business expenses, cope with emergencies , and capitalize on market opportunities.

 

Training smallholder farmers, specifically youth and women, on financial literacy and management is an essential tool for business improvement, income generation and job creation, as it impacts basic skills related to earning, spending, budgeting, saving, borrowing , and investment . When smallholders’ youth and women become financially informed, they can plan for their farm operations and achieve their business goals. Financial literacy training can also assist farmers youth and women to better understand the various opportunities available in the market which can help them retain profitable businesses .

 

Therefore, the Feed the Future Tanzania Agri-Finance Project is recruiting a local expert to deliver a hands-on training on basic financial management skills and tools, including business planning, farm budgeting, finance and investment, and record keeping to a youth cooperative in Dodoma . Additionally, the volunteer will provide support to training participants with credit management, loan applications, loan repayment and savings and facilitate linkages to financial institutions, such as AGITF, Azania, Amana and Equity Bank. Ultimately, the enhancement of these skills will allow the members of the youth cooperative in Dodoma to take advantage of opportunities available in the market, improve their businesses, generate more income , and create jobs.

 

Objectives of the Assignment:

 

1. Enhance the skills and build the capacity of smallholder farmers and members of the youth cooperative in financial management .

 

2. Increase the capacity and confidence of the youth cooperative members to access finance from financial institutions and ability to manage and repay loans through the overview of farm investment, savings, loan applications and procedures.

 

3. Facilitate linkages/connection between training participants and selected financial institutions ( AGITF, Azania, Amana Bank and Equity Bank)

 

Country Schedule for Assignment:

 

Day

 

Activity

 

Location

 

Estimated days

 

Pre-Assessment Tasks

  •  Review existing reports associated with agricultural finance in Tanzania, particularly to youth and women including both supply and demand side challenges and opportunities
  •  Hold a call with the Feed the Future Tanzania Agri-Finance Project team and the host to discuss the needs of the assignment and strategy.
  •  Develop financial literacy training material s

 

Remotely

 

Day 1

  •  Arrive in Dodoma
  •  Attend orientation hosted by the Feed the Future Tanzania Agri-Finance Project to review assignment objectives and plan.

 

Dodoma

 

1

 

Day 2 -3

  •  Meet and hold discussion with the host leadership to develop understanding of y outh businesses and business operations, their pre-existing levels of financial literacy knowledge and agree on training logistics and other arrangements (venue, drinks, flip charts, printing of training materials etc.)
  •  Conduct a rapid needs assessment by facilitating an informal group discussion and one on one meetings with youth members of the AMCOS to develop an understanding of their financial literacy knowledge levels
  •  Finalize training materials and training methodology based on feedback and observations from field and meetings with the AMCOS members

 

Dodoma

 

1

 

Day 4-5

  •  Deliver hands-on financial literacy training to the youth members ( Group A-40 Members)
  •  Review the youths’ farming budgets and support filling loan applications (for a few interested youths as identified during the trainings ).

 

Dodoma

 

2

 

Day 6-8

  •  Deliver hands-on financial literacy training to the youth members ( Group B-40 Members )
  •  Review the youths’ farming budgets and support filling loan applications (for a few interested youths as identified during the trainings ).

 

Dodoma

 

3

 

Day 9 -1 0

  •  Deliver hands-on financial literacy training to the youth members ( Group C-40 Members )
  •  Review the youths’ farming budgets and support filling loan applications (for a few interested youths as identified during the trainings ).

 

Dodoma

 

2

 

Day 1 1-12

  •  Deliver hands-on financial literacy training to the youth members ( Group D-40 Members ) eZOCrQ3 Dmw3zg
  •  Review the youths’ farming budgets and support filling loan applications (for a few interested youths as identified during the trainings ).
  •  Provide recommendations for the youth farmers with a focus on promotion and adoption of business and financial management best practices and tools.
  •  Hold debriefing with the host t to share recommendations and action plan

 

Dodoma

 

2

 

Day 1 3

  •  Draft final report for assignment.
  •  Departure

 

Dodoma

 

1

 

Volunteer Engagement:

 

USAID and IESC encourage all volunteers to participate in public outreach. An important objective of the program is to increase awareness of the work of Americans abroad. If you would like to share your experience, IESC can offer support if needed.

 

Expertise of Volunteer Experts Requested:

  •  Higher university degree in business management, finance and financial management , agriculture, agriculture economics, business administration, Economic development, or another related field of study
  •  8+ years of relevant experience in finance, financial management , budgeting and/or agriculture economic and workforce development in Emerging Markets, including on-field experience.
  •  5+ experience in business management, financial management , farm operations and budgeting for production of green beans will be added advantage.
  •  Demonstrated ability to work with smallholder farmers youth and women in Developing Countries preferably Sub-Saharan Africa
  •  Independence and strong interpersonal skills
  •  Highly experienced in youth development, youth leaning especially proven knowledge on youth and adult learning training methodologies like “CREATE ”, quantitative and qualitative analytical methods, statistical data analysis and interviewing techniques
  •  Creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  •  Goal-oriented mindset and hands-on approach
  •  Good written and verbal communication skills
  •  Knowledge of and experience with agriculture sector and agricultural access to finance in sub-Saharan Africa preferred.
  •  Strong leadership and communication skills and capacity to plan strategically and flexibly.
  •  Sufficiently physically fit, with appropriate medical clearance.

How to Apply:

 

This is Full-time Job, To submit your application, please follow the link provided below.

 

Submit Your Application

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