About SNV

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner, rooted in the contexts and societies where we work. Inspired by the transformational principles and objectives set out by the SDGs, we are committed to building resilient agri-food systems that deliver food security and adequate nutrition; to increasing the reliability and availability of water and sanitation at an acceptable quantity and quality; and to improving access to affordable and sustainable energy for all. In doing so, we aim to strengthen institutions, markets and effective governance within and across the agri-food, energy, and water sectors, reducing gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enabling adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

We are one team of over 1,600 people, the vast majority of whom come from the contexts where we work, in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia. Together, we are committed to effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive, lasting impacts.

Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, knowledge, evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on our operations in Kenya and SNV generally visit our website: www.snv.org

About CRAFT

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is the lead implementing party for the Climate Resilient Agribusiness for Tomorrow (CRAFT) Project in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This five-year project, with funding from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is implemented in partnership with Wageningen University and Research, Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA), Agriterra, and Rabo Partnerships. The consortium offers a strong platform to manage and coordinate a robust climate smart agriculture project and provide targeted technical assistance, business facilitation, and research and knowledge management support.

The project uses an Inclusive Business development approach to support the international and Dutch efforts on climate change and sustainable production in arable farming. The project, through its Climate Innovation and Investment Facility, will leverage €10 million in private sector investments and will work with and through the private sector and support public sector partners in creating an institutional environment for wide-scale adoption of climate smart agricultural practices and technologies.

The project is anchored on three pillars:

1. Increasing the adoption of climate smart practices and technologies among farmers and agro enterprises.
2. Increasing investments and business growth in climate smart value chains.
3. Creating the enabling environment necessary to ensure the large-scale rollout of market-driven CSA.

One of the challenges impeding farmers to increase adoption of CSA practices and technologies is access to financial resources. Farmers are unable to access finance due to lack of favourable agricultural loan products, collateral security and risks associated with farming. Starlight Cooperative in Nakuru County, one of the private sectors working with CRAFT has been able to register a Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (SACCO) that will support farmers access agricultural loans and address bottlenecks associated with access to loans linked to commercial banks. To ensure smooth running of the SACCO, CRAFT intends to engage a consultant who will support the SACCO in developing structures that are key to ensure success of the SACCO.

Starlight Wakulima Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Ltd (SACCO)

Majority of smallholder farmers, especially women and youth, are unable to access financing from formal financial institutions. The reason behind this is: lack of acceptable collateral, risks associated with farming, lack of credit history and financial records like bank statements and also farmers are largely outside the formal economic sector making them to turn to informal financing. In addition, high interest rate, prolonged and costly loans application process complicate the whole process and discourage small holder farmers from trying in accessing credit.

In the last three years, Starlight in partnership with the CRAFT have been able to implement climate resilient and adaptation initiatives designed to address climate change related risks and opportunities affecting the agriculture sector, aimed at scaling the adoption of climate smart agricultural practices and technologies by smallholder farmers. One of the major lessons learnt during implementation of the project is that access to affordable financing plays a key role in acceleration of adaptation of climate smart agriculture practices and techniques. Starlight is also interested in enhancing saving culture of its members, which can easily be realized through the SACCO. This will provide a financial “backstop” for life's uncertainties and increase feelings of security and peace of mind among members.

Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to support Starlight Cooperative in setting up internal control structures that will enable the cooperative to realise its vision.

The specific objectives shall include:

• • To develop savings and credit policy.
  • To train board members and supervisory committee on leadership and governance.
  • To establish operation procedure linking the SACCO to the Co-operative.
  • To support one (1) exchange visit to a SACCO linked to a co-operative society.
  • To review existing SACCO by-laws.
  • To develop a strategy (3 or 5 years).
  • To develop SACCO business plan.
  • To support in developing implementation road map for the SACCO products operationalization.

Scope of work

The assignment will be focussed on Starlight Cooperative situated in Nakuru County. The scope of the assignment will include the following:

• • Understanding Starlight Cooperative and the SACCO – mission, vision, business model, target clients, governance structure, strategy, SACCO focus areas etc.
  • Develop SACCO business plan and provide advisories especially on the primary and extended function of SACCO such as credit process, products, cost structure, internal audit processes, risk management, IT infrastructure requirements etc.
  • Determine what are the real needs of the members and establish how the SACCO credit processes and structures are speaking to these needs.
  • Review the existing internal controls and operational tools for Starlight Cooperative and SACCO
  • Review the existing SACCO’s by-laws and provide inputs.
  • Develop Starlight’s savings and credit policy.
  • Develop a Human Resource Policy and Procedure Manual.
  • Identify training gaps for board members and supervisory committee on leadership and governance.
  • Develop a training curriculum on leadership and governance.
  • Train board members and supervisory committee on leadership and governance.
  • Support exchange visit to a SACCO linked to a cooperative society.
  • Develop a strategy to guide Starlight achieve its SACCO’s goals and objectives.

Deliverables

• • An inception report detailing the methodology and work plan.
  • Curriculum on SACCO leadership and governance training.
  • Training report on SACCO leadership and governance.
  • Proposed Savings and Credit policy.
  • Proposed business plan.
  • Proposed Human Resource Policy and Procedure Manual.
  • Revised SACCO by-laws.
  • SACCO strategy (3 or 5 years).
  • Implementation roadmap for the SACCO products operationalisation.
  • Present the final documents to SACCO board members and incorporate views if the board.

The assignment will require travel to Nakuru. SNV will provide transport and logistics (except meals) to facilitate travels and facilitation of other activities such as training, exchange visit etc. SNV will introduce the Consultant to the Starlight Cooperative. The SACCO will provide relevant background documents necessary for the assignment.

Duration

The assignment will run for 30 days from the contract signing date. Whereby within 15 days to submit the draft and within 30 days to submit the final documents.

Academic Qualifications

• At least a Master’s degree in Public policy, Cooperative management, Finance, Accounting or Economics. Having a background in human resource management is an added advantage.

Experience

• At least five (5) years of experience in financial service sector with a minimum of 3 years of experience in banking, SACCO operations and the financial industry.
• At least five (5) years professional experience in organizational structure & policy development
• Demonstrated experience in working with public/private sectors especially SACCOs in development programs especially around organizational structures and, business plan, strategy, and policy development.
• A certified professional Banker with specific experience in Kenya financial services industry.
• Fluency in English and French with written & presentation skills.

Skills and Competencies

• High level written and oral communications skills in English and Kiswahili
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and professional skills in interacting with stakeholders.
• Skills in facilitation of stakeholder engagements/workshops.
• Evidence of having undertaken similar assignments.

Payment Schedule

The payment for the services rendered shall be milestone-based with the agreed quality and timeliness of the deliverables.  The proposed schedule is as follows:

• 20% upon submission of the inception report
• 40% upon submission of draft documents as indicated deliverables.
• 40% upon submission of final documents as indicated deliverables.

Supervision, reporting and compliance

The consultant shall report to the CRAFT Climate Smart Innovations Advisor, and he shall be the initial contact for CRAFT in managing quality and effective delivery of this assignment.

Submission of technical and financial proposals

Interested firms or individuals can submit their technical proposal including CVs of experts and financial proposals for conducting the activity to the email address below before Friday, 8th December 2023. The technical proposal should capture the methodology and workplan.

Only successful applicants shall be contacted.

Criteria for Selection

All eligible technical proposal shall be evaluated based on consultant’s demonstrated capacity to undertake the assignment as per the following assessment criteria (Maximum score is 100).

• Adequacy and completeness of the technical proposal – 30
• Team composition and expertise (education, competencies, and experiences) – 25
• Demonstrated past experience similar to the assignment – 25.
• Demonstrated proficiency in technical report writing – 20.

How to apply:

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by clicking on the “I AM INTERESTED” tab on this page and submitting the technical and financial proposals in English before  Friday, 8th December 2023. 

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.