Programme Policy Officer (Micro, SME & Financial Inclusion) Jobs in Dodoma

Programme Policy Officer (Micro, SME & Financial Inclusion) Jobs in Dodoma

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: University degree preferably with specialized certification in Accounting,Administration, Finance and /or Project Management; Bachelor Degree in Finance, Business or Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences and Social Sciences would be an asset.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Swahili and any other official UN language would be an asset.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Under the guidance of the Head of Smallholder Unit, and in close collaboration with the Markets & Procurement Specialist and Gender & Youth Specialist, the incumbent will build linkages between MSMEs, financial institutions, and bank guarantee schemes to smallholder farmers, private off takers and others along the targeted value chains (especially women and youth).

JOB PURPOSE

To provide support to policy and programme activities that effectively meet the objectives needs.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

1. Engage with Smallholder Farmers:
   1. Conduct a needs assessment for smallholder farmers finance needs, opportunities, and challenges for meeting those needs, and provide advice on adequate products from financial service providers
2. Engage with Financial Institutions and Other Partners:
   1. Engage with commercial and development banks, MFIs, credit guarantee funds, and crop loss insurance providers as well as government regulators on discussions of affordable finance and risk management
   2. Adapt existing finance structures to meet needs, blending solutions both from local/national and international financial services providers, insurance companies and development or donor agencies
   3. Organize strategic meetings (preliminary and follow-up) and attend consultations on improvements in the bank lending environment and guarantee schemes to foster smallholder sourcing strategies

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES CONTINUED:

1. 3.  Engage with MSMEs:
   1. Support in the identification of MSMEs (farmer groups, private off takers, aggregators) and develop appropriate risk mitigation tools for expansion
   2. Conduct business plans appraisals and crops profitability analysis and drawing out recommendations to the supervisor for maximizing use of resources and effectiveness to inform the supply chain operations towards increasing sourcing from smallholder farmers
   3. Prepare realistic milestones to facilitate monitoring and increase transparency of the process to all actors and ensure availability of finance solutions for all actors in the supply chains.

4. Provide supportto the development and implementation of WFP’s smallholder sourcing: in line with the global WFP supply chain strategies, policies and plans, to achieve operational cost efficiency, agility, reliability, quality.
5. Perform accurate, timely recording of data (e.g., resource utilization, programmestatus, performance) and update budget implementation plan, the yearly and quarterly budget, reports, and program documents, as required by management
6. Draft progress reports on projects’ financial inclusion activities and contribute to the drafting of corporate reports as required
7. Contribute to the development of Concept Notes and proposals around financial inclusion for smallholder farmers as required
8. Perform other related duties as required.

4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES

Purpose

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
• Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
•  Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
•  Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.

People

• Look for ways to strengthen people’s skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
•  Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
•  Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
•  Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.

Performance

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
•  Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
•  Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
•  Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.

Partnership

• Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
•  Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
•  Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
•  Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

• 3+ years of work experience in agri-finance, agriculture economics, market systems development activities, with experience in rural financial products preferred
• University degree in one or more of the following: Finance, economics, agriculture, business administration, or a field relevant to agricultural value chain management
• Demonstrated knowledge of MSMEs, financial inclusion and commercial agriculture modelling
• Demonstrated ability to provide consistent and timely services to meet the changing needs, demands and expectations of partners, allowing clients to actively participate in and contribute to decisions that are relevant to their needs and flexible in adjusting services as required
• Strong problem solving, negotiation skills and ability to travel extensively
• Strong analytical skills

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Has deepened technical knowledge through exposure to technical teams.
  • Has taken leadership of implementing programmes.
  • Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Duration of Contract: One year renewable up to five years until end of project (subject to performance).

All applications should be submitted through e-recruitment portal.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

The deadline for receiving applications is 05 January 2022.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.