West Africa FAS Coordinator

Summary

The West Africa FAS Coordinator will be in charge of establishing Root Capital’s Financial Advisory Services program in the region.  The objective of the FAS program is to strengthen the financial management capacity of rural small and medium enterprises (SME’s) that are current or potential Root Capital borrowers.  The coordinator will arrange financial management training workshops and individual one-on-one onsite training to improve proficiency in budgeting, internal controls, financial analysis and use of financial information for business decision making.  The Coordinator will build a network of local third party service providers to service Root Capital current and potential clients training needs throughout the region. 
 

Mission and History of Root Capital

Root Capital’s mission is to grow rural prosperity by investing in small and growing agricultural businesses that build sustainable livelihoods in Africa and Latin America.

Root Capital is a nonprofit social investment fund that grows rural prosperity in poor, environmentally vulnerable places in Africa and Latin America by lending capital, delivering financial training and strengthening market connections for small and growing agricultural businesses.

Root Capital clients include associations and private businesses that help create sustainable livelihoods by aggregating the products of hundreds, and often, thousands of farmers. Since our launch in 1999, we have provided more than $400 million in credit to over 460 small and growing agricultural businesses.

Root Capital envision a thriving financial market serving agricultural businesses that generate long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability for small-scale farmers and their communities around the world. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Root Capital currently has associated offices in Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru and Kenya.

Responsibilities

1. Identify, recruit and assist a network of local financial trainers in Root Capital’s key presence countries in West Africa to provide cost-effective sustained training.
   • Meet with local financial trainers
   • Prepare requests for proposals (RFP’s) for training engagements
   • Evaluate proposals
2. Plan and coordinate logistics of training workshops
   • Identify the trainers needed to carry out the workshop
   • Evaluate the training materials before the workshop and provide feedback
   • Identify the location of the training, room and board; negotiate pricing
   • Coordinate training with loan officers to ensure the proper mix of participants
   • Contact and confirm the attendance of all participants
   • Follow up with clients after training to control quality of training
3. Plan and coordinate logistics of one-on-one onsite training
   • Identify the trainers needed to carry out the workshop
   • Evaluate the training materials before the onsite training and provide feedback
   • Follow up with clients after training to control quality of training
4. Assist in meeting reporting requirements of Root Capital and the donors supporting the FAS Africa program
   • Submit reports on activities as needed
   • Work with FAS Africa Coordinator to maintain the quality of information in Root Capital’s information tracking systems
5. Coordinate activities with lending
   • Communicate regularly with loan officers on training opportunities and progress made with training clients
6. Other activities as specified by FAS Africa Coordinator

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work of this position, and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in this role.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of three to five years of direct experience in financial training and advisory services
• Academic background in finance and/or business administration
• Experience in project management and execution, including administering funds
• Experience in planning, evaluating and systematizing training processes
• Demonstrated experience leading and coordinating teams
• An understanding of the local context (cultural, lingual, political etc.)
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with an international, multicultural team
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout Africa
• Microsoft office proficiency (Word, Power Point, Excel); general proficiency with technological tools and willingness to learn
• Experience underwriting and/or working for a financial institution a plus
• English and French Fluency required; local language proficiency a plus
• Must be authorized to work in Senegal.

Salary

Commensurate with experience.

Applications and Nominations

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Applications including a resume and cover letter describing your interest, qualifications, language abilities, salary requirements, and how you learned of the position should be sent to: jobsafrica@rootcapital.org . Please include in the subject line of your email “FAS West Africa” followed by your name (Last, First). (e.g. FAS West Africa - Byomuhangi, Moses).  Finalist candidates will be required to provide at least three work-related references.

Root Capital is an equal opportunity employer.