• Application Deadline: Thu, 18 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT
• Position: Technical Advisor - Village Savings and Loan Association


• Job Type Full Time


• Qualification BA/BSc/HND


• Experience 4 - 6 years


• Location Abuja


• Job Field NGO/Non-Profit  , Project Management 
  

Role Purpose

The purpose of this role is to provide strategic and operational advice and support to all Village Savings and Loan Association related activities, projects, team members and partners in the technical delivery of all the Village Savings and Loan Association component of the Nigeria For Women Project (NFWP), Federal Project Coordination Unit (FPCU) and the State Project Coordination Units (SPCUs) interventions on Village Savings and Loan Association in Abuja with travel to states of Abia, Ogun, Kebbi, Niger, Akwa Ibom and Taraba.

The Village Savings and Loan Association Advisor is expected to provide strategic leadership in Village Savings and Loan Association programmes and will be responsible for the quality and effectiveness of Plan International Nigeria’s component on the NFW Project. The Village Savings and Loan Association Advisor strengthens the country office’s overall capacity to be prepared for and respond to Village Savings and Loan Association programmes in accordance with Plan’s principles and practices.

Dimensions of the Role

Support the development, implementation and periodic review of all Village Savings and Loan Association components of the project, including engagement with broad range of project stakeholders.

Accountabilities

• Provide technical leadership to project leads, Managers and Coordinators implementing Village Savings and Loan Association Programmes. 


• Lead on the development and disseminating the Village Savings and Loan Association related strategy; developing, leading and managing quality program design; and developing and testing tools that can be used in the field.


• Contribute to also improve operational systems, internal capacity building (including mentoring staff trained in researches that are Village Savings and Loan Association related.


• Lead on the development and implementation of all Village Savings and Loan Association training activities on the project, ensuring the highest quality of standard.


• Engagement of the target beneficiaries on formation and sustaining of Village Savings and Loan Association.


• Develop knowledge base of the target beneficiaries on VSLA formation, procedures in the meeting, financial management of group purse, leadership, share and loan management, social responsibility, record keeping, networking, sustainability of groups and members’ welfare.


• Provide input for weekly and monthly activities.


• Respect the rights and dignity of the people while representing Plan International in the community.


• Establish and maintain good working relationships with stakeholders (traditional leaders, religious leaders, government officials and other actors) in adjacent communities.


• Support in follow up of activities and respond to feedback from the beneficiaries.


• Ensure the principle of safety and confidentiality of beneficiaries’ data.


• Network with other agencies, UN bodies, donors and other critical stakeholders whilst also working closely with other members of development teams to advance children, adolescent and youth rights (especially for girls).


• Contribute to project research and support Monitoring and Evaluation processes.


• Work with the Project Manager to regularly develop and disseminate knowledge management materials.


• Support the Project Manager to identify and celebrate campaigns and event days related to the overall project.


• Participate in the joint monitoring of the Village Savings and Loan Association programmes approaches with Government and other partners.


• Work with Project Officers to ensure community structures have the requisite technical Village Savings and Loan Association programmes knowledge.


• Support Project Manager in identifying, disseminate and address barriers to financial inclusion programming outcomes.


• Provide technical insights in the development of curricula, advocacy and community mobilization strategies, including IEC materials and radio messages to ensure service delivery issues are captured.


• Provide technical support to partner activities to ensure consistency with Village Savings and Loan Association programmes objectives.


• Contribute to technical report writing under the lead of the Project Manager.


• Support regular advocacies to local stakeholders to improve and sustain project buy-in and operations.


• Support the establishment and maintenance of good working relationship with the relevant State actors, local government authorities and other stakeholders.


• Assume any other responsibility as assigned by the Project Manager.

Qualifications and Experience

• 4-6 years’ experience providing technical support to Village Savings and Loan Association related projects in Nigeria


• University education in social sciences or development study related course. An advanced degree such as MPhil, MSc in related field will be an added advantage.


• Experience working in development /humanitarian projects funded by bilateral /multi donors will be a plus.


• Experience in utilizing Village Savings and Loan Association approaches in communities will be a plus.


• A history of productive involvement with local partners, including from government, traditional leadership, and civil society


• Demonstrated knowledge and background in community mobilization and engagement on Village Savings and Loan Association related projects.


• Demonstrated problem solving skills, collaboration experience, creativity and willingness to innovate


• Experience working with multiple donors


• Experience drafting project reporting and monitoring project progress


• Excellent written and spoken English language skills


• Knowledge of local Nigerian language(s) preferred but not required

Skills & Knowledge

• Basic financial and administrative skills


• Communicates clearly and effectively appropriate to the audience


• Possession of good report writing skills


• Passion for learning and development.


• Good computer literacy skills.


• Team player

Behaviours:

• Provides good and adequate administrative support to enable the project meet its agreed program outcomes.


• Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity of yourself and others, able to make complex decisions whilst working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-national team under difficult circumstances and ability to work with trustworthiness and integrity and have a clear commitment to Plan International Nigeria's core values.


• Resilient and flexible individual who has demonstrable experience in working in Village Savings and Loan Association or with children in development and humanitarian settings or fragile contexts.


• Actively seeks for support in addressing difficulties in execution of duties.