ECONOMIC EMPOWERNMENT AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION OFFICER At I Choose Life – Africa

Position title:Economic Empowerment and financial inclusion officer

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Department:Programs

County:Nairobi, Laikipia & Meru

Background: I Choose Life – Africa (ICL) is a leading youth focused Non-Governmental Organizations that has significantly contributed to the realization of socio-economic development and empowerment of individuals bringing about transformative change across communities in Kenya. The organization has over 17 years’ experience implementing evidence-based adolescents and youth programs in over 345 institutions of learning (Primary, Secondary and Higher learning institutions) across 25 Counties in Kenya. ICL aims at contributing towards improved life opportunities of adolescent and youth aged 10-24 using a holistic transformational model. ICL employs evidence to design and run innovative and high impact interventions to improve key indicators in health, education, economic empowerment and leadership and governance with regards to children, adolescents, and youth. To ensure maximum impact, ICL utilizes a multi-sectorial approach, Quadra Helix development approach (which brings together the Government, Private sector, Academia and Civil society) to foster innovative and sustainable transformation in communities. In this model ICL envisions better health and well-being, quality education and improved livelihoods for sustainable development. In her work, ICL is guided by Vision 2030 whose objectives it seeks to cascade to counties, sub counties, wards, organized groups, and households. In her sustainable and transformative service delivery, ICL invests in generation and documentation of evidence to influence policy and practice.

Vision: ‘Healthy Africa, Empowered People!’

Mission: To improve the life opportunities of youth aged 10-24 through strategic empowerment for sustainable development.

Job Purpose: The Economic Empowerment and financial inclusion officer is responsible for the development, implementation, coordination, and promotion of I Choose Life – Africa Social Enterprises, design of finance and similar revenue generating platforms that may serve as a model for self – sustaining enterprises with a social development impact. In addition, support counties in the actualization of their county’s strategic plans aligned to Vision 2030.

Key Performance Indicators

1. Disbursed loans with Ksh. 10 Million monthly through mobile lending by December 2022
2. Reduced the amount of defaulted loans from Ksh. 12 Million to Ksh. 2 Million
3. Ensured timely collection of disbursed loans
4. Maintained a monthly < 3% PAR from the loans disbursed.
5. Secured 4,000 borrowing customers borrowing per month
6. Improved quality of service delivery through customer feedback and engagement
7. Conducted on-job training for the team to improve their skills and competence in credit management and debt management
8. Supported the different startups through Jiinue Business Acceleration (JBA) and business coaching
9. Supported parents of beneficiaries through income generating ideas to ensure sustainability

Key responsibilities

Program Management

• Ensure accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of financial and performance-oriented reports (quantitative and qualitative, financial, and social) to the program director.
• Update the strategic planning process through annual business plans (outlining financial projections) based on performance analysis
• Improve overall performance through quantitative and qualitative analysis, identify areas of strength and weakness.
• Monitoring and reporting on the microfinance and social enterprises marketplaces.
• Liaise on a regular and ongoing basis with donor institutions, agencies, and commercial partners to secure funding for economic empowerment.

Program Development

• Develop a portfolio of social enterprise including securing new funding streams and developing/refining concepts.
• Develop and apply enterprise development best practices and approaches into new ICL programs and evaluate and promote cross linkage opportunities for enterprise development.
• Assist in developing and preparing business plans, briefings, and public relations material.
• Represent the organisation at designated meetings and at conferences.

Communication and Public Relations

• Identify and document project success stories
• Develop picture speaks and newsletter for various activities
• Develop relevant project communication materials
• Develop quality reports (Annual, Semi-annul and Monthly Management Reports) in-line with ICL reporting guidelines
• Facilitate community members to advocate on Economic Empowerment issues to relevant stakeholders

Finance Reporting

• Participate in reviewing the goals and objectives as set out in the scope of work
• Compile finance reports (narrative and data) and submit them to the CEO on the 27^th of each month and adherence to the set deadlines
• Monitor budgets and expenditures

Desired Education, Training and Skills

• B.A/Sc. in economics, finance or other related field, MBA preferred
• CPA(K)
• Credit Management and Debt Management professional qualifications
• Knowledge of softwares including Navision, Quickbooks and T24
• 5 – 9 years’ experience in credit and credit management
• Experience using core banking systems
• Good understanding of the credit cycle and the finance principles with a banking set up
• Managed a portfolio of 100 Million or above for SME loans Policies
• Maintained a PAR of less than 15%
• Good relationship management skills
• Proficiency in report writing Innovation of new products with the institution Leading a team.
• Developed policies and manuals to govern credit procedures
• Good communication and presentation skills, with outstanding reporting skills.
• Sound financial and analytical skills
• Demonstrable skills in project implementation, including performance monitoring, budget preparation and tracking.
• Strong team player that can work cooperatively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks, familiar with and able to operate in a fast-paced international and multi-cultural environment.