Field Program Coordinator

ABOUT THE PROJECT/PROGRAM

MESMER is a 5-year program launched in October 2022 to support 72,200 MSMEs and 410,800 jobs by creating access to finance for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME)’ to realize their growth prospects and resilience. MESMER will also work to provide support to MSMEs through business development support, psychosocial services and technical assistance to financial institutions. MESMER is a countrywide program implemented by First Consult in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation as part of the Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy and will strive to create dignified and fulfilling work for the youth, the majority of them women. The FDRE Ministry of Labour and Skills will be the main government counterpart for the program. Other partners include financial institutions (microfinance institutions, banks, and digital financial service providers), BDS, and psychosocial support providers

POSITION SUMMARY  

The Field program coordinator is responsible in coordinating and supporting regional offices for successful implementation of the program. The duties include leading regional program staff and delegating tasks among regional coordinators and field officers in monitoring the program’s financial and non-financial  support for MSMEs in all regions.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

MANAGERIAL

• Understand the MESMER project in its entirety and drive the development of guidelines and standards to further support the interventions.
• Ensure the provision of appropriate technical guidance for the implementation of the MESMER program and regularly update the design to capture new development in the MSMEs and financial ecosystem as well as emerging project priorities.
• Coordinate and supervise the delivery of BDS, and PSS training in alignment with program design in all regions.
• Monitor and report on wider national and regional trends in innovative finance policies and financial instruments relevant to the effective positioning and efficient implementation of the project.
• Ensure that work plans and budgets conform with the project objectives;
• Ensure that all agreements with governmental and non-governmental institutions are in line with the donor and organization regulations.
• Organize regular meetings with regional coordinators and relevant stakeholders.
• Oversee and manage Regional Coordinators and any activities.
• Oversee and report on the delivery of interventions in the field as per the agreed work plan.

TECHNICAL

• Engage in the development of strategies for discovering and securing new MSMEs and start-ups in all regions.
• Establish the working environment for the FC branches in the regions.
• To ensure the implementation of work plans in accordance with the agreements signed between the stakeholders and MESMER;
• To ensure that no violation is made by the stakeholders to the signed agreement;
• Design the monitoring frameworks for measuring the progress of various interventions.
• Oversee the implementation of various intervention activities including BDS, PSS, credit line, and Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning (MERL) interventions.
• To oversee the everyday operations.
• To review and ensure in keeping quality data in the interventions implemented by the program.
• Assess and compile feedback on the project.
• Work closely with governmental and non-governmental institutes like OSS/ TVET staff.
• Work closely with partnering banks and MFIs in the various regions to ensure the implementation of credit line interventions in mobilizing savings and lending facilities.
• Work closely with the security officers to establish the safety of the staff and regional coordinators.
• Coordinate with regional and woreda administration to facilitate MSMEs development and linkage with other enterprises.
• To carry out field visits, to various regional Woreda and Kebeles to assess the sourcing and screening activity of the program and report these field visits in proper reporting formats on a monthly and quarterly basis.
• Organize and supervise various activities within the interventions and the head office staff.
• Closely work with different service providers, and create connections between service providers and field coordinators.
• Facilitate meetings with the relevant stakeholders as required.
• Ensure implementation challenges and risks are flagged and mitigated ahead of time.
• Facilitate coordination and smooth flow of communication among stakeholders.
• Facilitate coordination and smooth flow of communication between intervention managers and field coordinators.
• Take additional tasks as per the dynamics of the project and the entire recruitment pipeline of the project.
• Provide support or deliver on various assignments as and when required by the project lead.

REPORTING

• Monitor the various interventions and compile reports from regional coordinators
• Submit regular progress updates/reports on activities performed and the overall performance of each intervention.
• Working closely with the intervention managers to provide detailed reports of each intervention
• Working closely with the monitoring and evaluation team to capture the overall impact of MESMER.

Job Requirements

• MBA/MA in Economics, Social Science, Project Management or any other equivalent field with minimum of 5 years’ experience, relevant to the above-described job, in public or private sector.
• Experience working in a multi-stakeholder environment of relevant work experience.
• Having the required level of confidence and assurance to engage with international partners at both senior level and operational level.
• Good communication skill, fluency in English, Amharic, Afaan Oromo and other local languages is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are desirable as is knowledge of gender-based issues particular as impacting on the formal employment environment.
• Good management, communication, working knowledge of computer programmes including Word, Excel and Power Point, knowledge of database management, and reporting skills are required.

How to Apply

First Consult invites all well-qualified candidates to apply. Competent candidates should submit their one-page cover letter and updated CVs only to:  [email protected] before November 11, 2022. Candidates MUST refer to the position title "Field Program Coordinator" in the subject line of their email and applications.