Savings for Transformation(S4T) Specialist-Baidoa

Job Description:

Savings for Transformation(S4T) Specialist

The Role:

The EMERGE S4T Specialist will provide strategic and operational leadership and support to all savings groups related activities in the project; support team members and partners in the technical delivery of all the Savings for Transformation (S4T) component of the EMERGE program. S/he will support the development, implementation and periodic review of all savings for transformation component of the project, including engagement with broad range of project stakeholders.

The S4T Specialist will need to take an active role in supporting country-based technical coordination, support and advocacy within the country, and other stakeholders and technical agencies relevant to the sector He/she will ensure all the proposed objectives and targets are achieved including guidance to successful formation of S4T group’s activities, identification, and verification of beneficiaries for Savings groups, formation of savings groups and reporting, monitoring and evaluation of Savings groups activities.

Working with the M&E team, the S4T Specialist will ensure participant-level data is collected as per design tools and timelines, and feedback from the data is provided to the implementing teams and findings used to inform program adaptations. S/he will report to the EMERGE Graduation Approach Lead and work collaboratively with the Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Coordinator, Cash Transfer and Compliance Management (CTCM) Coordinator in the collection, analysis, and utilization of information from a broad range of sources to inform day-to-day program implementation;

Key Responsibilities: 

Provide technical leadership;

• Provide technical leadership to the EMERGE implementing partners, Managers and Coordinators in implementing the S4T component in the program.
• Provide technical insights in the development of training curricula, advocacy and participants mobilization strategies, including IEC materials.
• Provide technical support to partner activities to ensure consistency with S4T programmes objectives.
• Identify participants’ skills/knowledge gaps and challenges related to savings (S4T), Business development skills, Income generating activities (IGAs) etc.
• Facilitate the identification and/or formation and mobilization of local structures such as Savings groups, IGA groups, financial institutions and marketing groups in the villages and district
• Ensure that individual savings group members are linked with microfinance institutions to borrow loans for business start-up/investing in proposed business plans
• As required, provide technical services to World Vision Somalia in the technical area; 

Training and Capacity Building;  

• Contribute to the development of guidelines and training modules on S4T methodology and train participants and groups in the methodology.
• Train economic development groups/associations/committees in governance, leadership, Savings for Transformation, Business development Services
• Organize and facilitate exposure or exchange visits and any other events for the participants and groups to foster learning and experience sharing.
• Facilitate training of S4T group members on life skills such as on basic literacy and numeracy skills, household financial affairs, risk management and planning etc.
• Ensure linkage/integration of economic development activities with Agro pastoral and pastoral activities to foster synergies under the EMERGE program; 

Monitoring Evaluation and Learning;

• Track progress of the savings groups and IGA activities to see if targets set in the annual work plan are achieved.
• Facilitate data collection from savings groups and manage/supervise the S4T Management Information System (MIS) information flow
• Support the preparation of monitoring plans for the savings groups and ensure they get involved in own monitoring and evaluation of VSLAs, IGAs etc activities
• Consolidate/compile monthly, quarterly, and annual activity reports and special events showing achievements, lessons, constraints, and recommendations which should be submitted to relevant authority at the agreed time.
• Carry out quarterly/annual review meetings to assess performance of activities against set targets at the community and program levels
• Document good practices and lessons, testimonies, and stories for program learning from field visits, surveys, and assessments that have been done;

Coordination, collaboration and integration.

• Build and maintain relationships and coordinate with stakeholders (local leaders, district authorities, microfinance institutions, and relevant government Ministries/departments).
• Participate in state and national level coordination meeting with local government authorities and other agencies.
• Establish linkages with appropriate national and state authorities, and other stakeholders and support area coordination mechanism for economic development, business development services and financial inclusivity
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders including government (National/Regional/District), UN, learning institutions and private sector in Southwest state and Somalia;
• Represent World Vision professionally at federal and state levels
• Facilitate government engagement and involvement in tool development, assessment/planning processes, monitoring trips, etc.;
• Ensure appropriate and continued coordination and joint-planning with other USAID funded programs and promote private sector engagement in the area of agricultural value addition, inputs supplies and agricultural technology and share best practices.
• Establish and maintain key relationships with counterparts at USAID, peer organizations, research and other institutions;

Essential:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Micro Finance, Entrepreneurship, Livelihoods, Rural Development, Community Development & other relevant fields from a recognized University or Institution.
• At least Minimum of 4- years of demonstrable relevant experience in VSLA/Savings groups & business development, Food security Livelihoods and economic development field, and good understanding of the South West State context
• Experience in enterprise development, BDS, Finance, Vocational skills training, Value chain development preferably in Somalia.
• Demonstrated experience in community mobilization, trainings monitoring of programs and reporting of activities will be required.
• Previous experience working in a large USAID grant including Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA), Development Food Security Activity (DFSA), Development Food Assistance Programs (DFAP)s, Multi Year Assistance Programs (MYAP)s and/or Development Assistance Programs (DAP)s.
• Experience working with Somali communities.
• Fluency (native) in Somali and/or Arabic is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, Somali, and other local language(s)
• Mentoring and facilitation skills,
• Field experience in low-resource environments.
• Demonstrated communication, creative problem solving, and management skills.

Working Environment:

The position is field-based in Baidoa with frequent travel to field operation areas required.