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:
- T rain Saccos le aders and members in resource m obilization and fund management skills.
- Develop a resource mobilization strategy for Saccos adoption .
Deliverables:
- Training materials
- Resource mobilization strategy
- Final trip report with at least four measurable /achi evable recommendations
- 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
eZ20XPR BVUcJh
- 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.
