CARE is an international NGO with local staff and community partners in 100 countries. We create local solutions to poverty and inequality and we seek dignity for everyone every day and during times of crisis.  These solutions have a broad range, from disaster response to food and nutrition to education and work for women and girls to healthy mothers and children. 
CARE International in Kenya (CIK) has been working in Kenya since 1968, and its core programming areas include community adaptation to climate change and disaster risk reduction; humanitarian assistance and emergency response; agriculture & market systems for food and nutrition security; Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH); health, equity & rights; and women’s economic empowerment.

CARE, in partnership with the Center for Reproductive Rights, Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Restless Development is implementing a 7 year Sexual and Reproductive Health and Economic Empowerment (SHE) Supporting Out of School Adolescents’ Rights and Skills (SOARS) project funded by Global Affairs Canada. The project overall goal is to achieve an increased enjoyment of health-related human rights by the most marginalized and vulnerable women and girls right holders particularly out of school Adolescent girls. The Project is being implemented in Nairobi, Kajiado, Kisumu and Siaya Counties and targets Adolescent girls and boys aged 10-19 years old.

JOB SUMMARY

The purpose of the Youth Savings and Loans Association (YSLA) Coordinator is to provide leadership in SHE SOARS Economic Empowerment, specifically financial literacy education and the YSLA methodology in the project. The Project Coordinator will work with partners, out of school boy and girl groups, economic empowerment stakeholders in equipping adolescents out of school adolescent boys and girls with financial literacy knowledge and skills, and ensure the adolescents while embedding the financial literacy component on a digital platform targeting formal and informal girls groups and Role Model Boy Clubs. 

ROLES AND RESPOSIBILITIES

1. Coordinating YSLA activities within the project coverage-30%

• Lead in development and delivery of Financial Literacy activities (Financial Education/Literacy, Income generation, Savings, Credit, Linkage to formal financial institutions), Coaching & Mentorship (Inspire, Motivate, Guidance, developing leadership competence), and Technology transfer (leverage on digital technology to access information) within the project.
• Develop and implement operational work plans in accordance with the budget and work with partners to ensure work plans are adhered to.
• Strengthen project linkages with implementing partners, financial service providers and technology service providers.
• Collaborate with the Ministry of Education, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, Child & Youth Finance International (CYFI) and other stakeholders in the development of the financial literacy program for out of school adolescents.
• Lead in developing implementation and supervision of quarterly and annual project implementation plans with project team and partners.
• Establish and maintain effective follow-up and support system for partners on economic empowerment, YSLA mentorship and coaching, and technology components as planned, ensuring good performance of all indicators.
• Participate in project review forums with partners, stakeholders, service providers, community resource persons, state and non-state agencies in the County, and Communities.

2. Provision of technical capacity to partners to promote financial literacy skills - 25% 

• Develop guidelines for partners to implement the following components: financial literacy knowledge and skills, YSLA mentorship and coaching, and technology transfer and community engagement in the project.
• Facilitate partners in developing YSLA methodology for out of school adolescents’ mentorship and coaching, technology transfer and community engagement.
• In collaboration with partners tailor the Youth Savings and Loan (YSL) Methodology and oversee its implementation within the boy and girl groups.
• Provide technical assistance to partners develop an income generation training manual to meet the training needs for income generation.
• Support partners and schools to facilitate leadership competence skills activities among adolescent girls and boys out of school schools
• Participate in technical committees that support financial inclusion work Coordinate and guide partners in their gender equality results reporting and documentation responsibilities. Ensure that the reporting meets the evidence and communications needs of SHE SOARS project 

3. Supporting Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning on YSLA - 20%

• Identify and document challenges in implementation that would have negative impact and or undermine the performance of the program, identify solutions and implement actions on timely basis to avert negative performance in consultation with project manager and M&E Coordinator.
• Share monthly data on indicator performance, discuss and ensure partners are aware of the indicators performance and that they can identify actions to enhance performance
• Timely respond to all data queries on YSLA arising from partners and Project team
• Monitor compliance of project implementing partners and monitoring progress of work plan implementation in consultation with Project Manager.
• Collaborating with the Project Manager and the M&E Coordinator, facilitate in trainings and orientation of Partner staff on Financial Literacy and YSLA data requirements for the project, management and data for decision making.
• Identify technical financial literacy and coordination challenges; formulate solutions in consultation with the Project Manager and M&E Coordinator, including partner staff.
• Facilitate the collection and verification of data from project partners on all indicators.
• Working closely with Project team and partners to support the documentation of Human-Interest Stories and lessons learnt for internal and external dissemination.

4. Supervision and management of Partner Organization regarding YSLA - 15%

• Support preparation of concept notes and proposals working closely with the Program Manager, GESI Project Lead, CO Gender Focal point and Program Quality Manager and respective technical team/ advisors.
• Support the project partners and manager in develop reporting standards and ensure partner compliance.
• In collaboration with Project Manager develop and implement a supervision mechanism to ensure that implementing partners are effectively supervised.
• Undertake supportive supervision to implementing partners to offer quality integrated services, while mentoring and training staff, and assessing progress of adolescent activities. 

5. Linkage and networking with other collaborators - 15%

• Represent CARE in relevant community development planning meetings.
• Establish and maintain a good working relationship with other CARE colleagues and project staff, Partner agencies, County government, MOE, CBOs, collaborators, other stakeholders and enhance CARE image.
• Liaise with the National, County government officials, CBOs, collaborators, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
• Enhance teamwork and synergy in programming and CAREs activities.

6. Other Responsibilities as assigned -5%

• Keep up-to-date with CARE’s emerging strategies and approaches and contribute proactively towards implementation. Take responsibility for ensuring personal safety and security; giving due care and consideration to the impact of personal decisions on the safety and security of others

Mandatory 

• Bachelor of Business Administration/ Social Sciences.

Experience and Competencies Required 

• At least five (5) years’ experience in Economic Development
• Ability to work with minimum supervision
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Working knowledge of MS computer packages
• A broad grasp of socio-cultural economic issues with respect to poverty, savings, and enterprise development in rural settings

Technical knowledge in Economic Development

• Experience with working with County governments, civil society, donors and local communities
• Diplomacy, tact and negotiating skills
• Training/coaching/ Facilitation skills
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills
• The ability to work independently, think innovatively and strategically and work effectively within a team
• Fluency in written and spoken English and excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Detailed understanding and experience of gender and diversity issues and commitment to addressing inequalities in all the key areas of responsibility
• Demonstrate high levels of initiative and flexibility in tasks undertaken 
• Ability to work under pressure and deadlines
• Extensive knowledge of participatory approaches
• Understanding of development/relief issues

AUTHORITY:

• Spending Authority: None
• Supervision:     None
• Indirect: External partners and collaborators
• Decision Making: on work plan implementation in designated region in consultation with supervisor

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Shall be based Kisumu office which has a moderate climate, with frequent field travel

CONTACTS/KEY RELATIONSHIPS  

• This role is expected to establish and maintain open, professional, and cordial relations with the COs internal and external customers. These include and not limited to.

Internal

• Project team, Country Office teams

 External

• National and County officials, partner agency staff

CARE is an Equal Opportunity Employer promoting gender, equity, and diversity. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Deadline to receive all applications will be on or before  5th August 2022, at 5.00 P.M EAT. 

We do require that you have the legal ability to work in Kenya and while we would like to respond to all applicants, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification

CARE does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. Qualified Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. CARE has a commitment to gender, equity and diversity in our workplace and operations. CARE respects and values diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexuality, ethnicity, age, disability, religion or politics. This is reflected in our recruitment decisions which are made entirely through a transparent, merit-based selection process. All CARE staffs are required to comply with the Code of Conduct, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Child Protection (CP) policies.