National Technical Advisor On Economic Empowerment at Cecilia Nkemakolam Foundation

Cecilia Nkemakolam Foundation (CNF) is a growing National Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with Special Consultative Status with United Nations (ECOSOC) since 2010. Since 2005, CNF has been working solely to Mobilize Communities and Strengthen their Systems towards effective and sustained Change in the areas of Democratic Governance, Justice, Human Rights, Economic Empowerment, Primary Health, Capacity Building & Education.

We have worked with donor agencies and development partners like USAID/ENHANSE, UNDP, U.S Consulate, Society for Family Health (SFH), Actionaid Nigeria (AAN), National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria (GFATM), Association of Reproductive Health (ARPH), ABSACA/World Bank, Vitamin Angels-USA, Institute of Development Studies (IDS) of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), ACOMIN, PLAC, Haier Thermocool and other Local/Indigenous businesses like Crunchies Fried Chicken, Macmillian Publishers Nig. Ltd., 218 rural communities, Community Leaders, Religious Leaders, Women & Youth Groups, Town Unions in the South East Geo-Political Zone, Community based Primary & Secondary School Children and their Teachers, Primary Health Facilities and Patent Medicine Vendors (PMVs). With a National and 2 Zonal Offices in North Central (Apo, FCT), South East Zone (Umuahia, Abia State) and South South Zone (Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State) respectively.

We are currently seeking to engage suitable persons with cognate experience for the position of:

Job Title: National Technical Advisor On Economic Empowerment

Duty Station: CNF National Office, Abuja.
Nature of Employment: Part Time
Reporting to: The CEO
Department: Programmes
Grade Level: 14

Job Summary:
To support CNF National/ Zonal Offices in identification of new funding opportunities and the design and development of new programs; provide technical support, quality assurance, training and capacity building for existing programs in Nigeria; and further Plan’s policy development, networking and research related to women and youth economic empowerment, particularly related to Microfinance and financial inclusion for women and youths.

Duties/Assignments:
The National Technical Advisor On Economic Empowerment will:

Program design and development:

• As the head of the Technical Team, this role will provide input and advice to projects that have a component on community women and youth savings and loans, micro-finance as related to community youth economic empowerment. This will include:
• Develop and design innovative Microfinance and Community Economic Empowerment Programme programs in line with Plan’s programmatic approach and principles
• Develop and/or provide input on project proposals.
• Develop detailed project implementation plans (PIP) and subsequent work plans.
• Work in partnership with the marketing, corporate and the development teams in developing proposals for submission to Corporations and individual donors.

Technical Support and Quality Assurance:

• Provide quality control, value addition and technical advice to Field Office staff, partners and other stakeholders for Plan support projects related to economic empowerment and Micro-finance as they become approved. This will include:
• Identify and evaluate the national, regional and internationally approved technical standards and benchmarks for Microfinance programs and incorporate into National Strategic plan.
• Provide technical support, advice and guidance to CNF staff in both the National &Zonal Offices on the implementation of programs.
• Participate in project related meetings as needed including project working groups and project steering committee.
• Provide training in the field on tools related to Microfinance, often with a special emphasis on women and youth
• Monitor and Evaluate projects/ programs and write reports based on findings.
• Design quality monitoring standards as well as tools for program monitoring and improvement thought Leadership.
• Lead and/or participate in various program events at regional and international level highlighting CNF’s program experiences.
• Participate and share program model, learning and experience with coalitions, donors and forums Contribute to and/or create, policy papers related to portfolio of Microfinance and CEE programs within CNF.
• Present CNF experience in international conferences/forums etc.
• Ensure CNF is well connected to, and learning from, international and national networks related to CEEP and Microfinance both within the CNF Network and with other organizations in this sector.

Leadership and Managerial Responsibilities:

• The Advisor position often will not have people leadership but rather be an individual contributor as part of a wider team with specific accountabilities within a team.
• If individual is a people leader both team size, budget and projects/program scope will be at departmental level impact.
• Where individual is accountable for a team, this person is directly responsible for the management of that team and is reflected on his/her performance framework at a minimum 90% of time.

Educational & Experience Requirements

• Master degree in economics, business administration/management, banking and finance or another international development related area.
• At least 8 years of professional involvement in economic empowerment related work, including policy and programme development, with specialized interest in microfinance, poverty reduction and/ or consulted for other national, international NGOs or development agencies in related areas.
• Strong analytical skills related to Microfinance, poverty reduction as well as group and organizational development skills.
• Strong technical capacity and practical experience of managing and designing international development programs and micro-finance programs.
• Solid experience in proposal writing, innovation and rights based programming.
• Good familiarity, networking and working relationships with different donors and other partner organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to review, synthesize information and produce appropriate reports.
• Demonstrate good interpersonal and diplomatic skills with proficiency in English language.
• Must have the ability to nurture contracts and deepen the institutional structure of the development community.
• Effective Communication and problem-solving skills;
• Integrity and transparency;
• Good team player with strong analytical mind;
• Self-motivated and result-oriented;
• Must be IT literate with knowledge of Operative systems DOS, Windows, Word Processors, MS Word, Word Perfect, Spreadsheets, MS Excel, Presentations/Image management, MS PowerPoint, Internet/Email, Netscape Navigator, Mozilla Firefox, MS Explorer, Notepad, Front Page.
• Must be Available for assignments nationwide.

Application Closing Date
28th July, 2014

Method of application
In line CNF recruitment policy, interested candidates should send their Applications and Curriculum Vitae to the e-mail address: [email protected] and [email protected]

Please indicate the position you are applying for on the subject of the e-mail.