The main objective of the East Africa Participative Microfinance Program is to assist MicroFinance institutions or rural SACCOs operating in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania to develop new participative methodologies and products in order to allow them to increase their rural outreach.
The regional coordination of the program is based in Kenya, and is administered by Kenya Gatsby Trust.

POSITION:   REGIONAL RURAL FINANCE SPECIALIST

Job description

The position is Nairobi based, with extensive travel in the 3 countries where the program is operating.
The program is expected to run until June 2011 and the position will be based on a one - year renewable performance based contract.

Responsibilities

The regional rural finance specialist will have the main following assignments, under the supervision of the CIDR regional rural finance coordinator:

 Provision of technical assistance to the program partners (MFIs and SACCOS) for the implementation of the rural methodologies and products designed in collaboration with CIDR, including preliminary feasibility studies.
 Training of the partners' rural units staff and of the program local staff involved in the rural finance promotion.
 Negotiation of the yearly technical and financial agreements with the program partners.
 Monitoring of the contractual commitments of the program partners regarding the rural methodologies and products.
 Support to and supervision of the program local staff involved in the rural finance promotion.
 Writing of the activity and performance reports of the program.
 Assessment and adjustment of the rural methodologies and products.
 Capitalization of the rural methodologies and tools.

Minimum requirements

 Post graduate education in a related field (business administration, finance, economics...).
 At least 5 years experience at management level in microfinance institutions or programs, preferably with a rural clientele or target.
 Experience in training and capacity building.
 A strong field orientation and proven inter-personal and negotiation skills.
 Experience and ability to work in and with rural areas and people, willing to work flexible hours, able to work independently and as a team member.
 Self starter/driven and able to work under minimum supervision.
 Good knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
 Excellent spoken and written English and spoken Swahili.
 Must be prepared to travel extensively in the 3 countries concerned by the program (around 2/3 of the time allocated for field missions).
 Familiarity with international development financing would be an advantage.

Applicants must submit:-

(1) A cover letter of introduction explaining how they meet the above criteria as well as their current salary and the minimum salary they expect to earn if they are employed.
(2) A detailed and current CV.
(3) Telephone contact information for at least 3 referees.
Qualified and interested candidates should submit their application to the undersigned not later than 7th March 2008. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Finance Manager
Kenya Gatsby Trust
PO Box 44817- 00100
ACK Garden House
Nairobi

Email: vacancy@kenyagatsby.org