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Recruitment of a Grant Analyst – Catalytic fund for “Enhancing MSMEs and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Support in Rwanda Agriculture and Tourism and Hospitality (T&H) Sectors project” |
About Access to Finance Rwanda:
Access to Finance Rwanda (AFR) is a Rwandan not for profit company established in 2010 to promote financial inclusion and financial sector development. AFR is currently funded by Sweden, Jersey Overseas Aid, and the MasterCard Foundation.
AFR is part of the broader Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) network in Africa that seeks to create a transformative impact on ending poverty by supporting efforts to improve financial inclusion and financial sector development through helping policy makers, regulators, financial service providers and markets drive a more inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
AFR supports the removal of systemic barriers that hinder access to and use of financial services by low-income people, particularly the rural poor, women, youth and MSMEs, and supports the development and provision of financial services including savings, credit, insurance, investment, payments, and remittances. AFR is a gender-intentional organization, having mainstreamed gender across all programming.
AFR is guided by the Market System Development (MSD) approach recognising that efforts to increase financial inclusion and financial sector development must be market-led, profitable and sustainable. For more details visit our website: (www.afr.rw).
Access to Finance Rwanda seeks to recruit a Grant Analyst for its upcoming project “Enhancing MSMEs and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Support in Rwanda Agriculture and Tourism and Hospitality (T&H) Sectors”.
About the project – Enhancing MSMEs and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Support in Rwanda Agriculture and Tourism and Hospitality Sectors
MSMEs in productive/growth sectors, including those in Agriculture and Tourism & Hospitality sectors, play a critical role in driving inclusive growth and employment. However, they continue to face multiple challenges including low business management capabilities, limited tailored and sustainable business development services, limited access to appropriate financial solutions, and gaps in regulations and policies promoting SMEs access to finance. Such constraints hinder the potential for economic growth and job creation including for youth and women-led MSMEs, which face specific constraints.
To better address these and in line with its Phase III strategy, AFR, in collaboration with key stakeholders, will continue its journey towards addressing the root causes to access to and use of financial solutions for MSMEs in Rwanda through the “Enhancing MSMEs and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Support in Rwanda Agriculture and Tourism and Hospitality (T&H) Sectors” project. The project seeks to support Agriculture and T&H enterprise development and growth for improved opportunities for youth to engage in dignified and fulfilling work with a focus on young women and other disadvantaged youth (persons with disabilities, refugees, and youth in rural areas).
The project will mainly focus on the following interventions:
- Implementing commercial MSME Finance Readiness Support also known as “Terimbere SME Village”
This intervention seeks to strengthen MSMEs’ capabilities to overcome gaps in financial management practices, sound business management procedures and practices, business growth skills and information asymmetry by enhancing technical, managerial, market knowledge, financial and non-financial capacity to prepare them for appropriate financing and growth opportunities.
- MSME ecosystem strengthening
This intervention seeks to support a conducive environment to unlock MSME finance for growth and jobs through advocacy for favorable policy and regulatory environment, strengthening the capacity of Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) to effectively serve MSMEs; leveraging research and data analytics to catalyze innovation and promoting the coordination within the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
In line with AFR’s gender-intentional strategy, this project will explicitly ensure that gender is integrated into all interventions. Ensuring that young women can benefit from the growth of the MSME sector is a key priority outcome of this project. In order to ensure this, AFR seeks a Gender Specialist to drive the mainstreaming of gender within this project, in collaboration with other AFR staff.
Scope of Responsibilities
The Grant Analyst – Catalytic fund assesses funding opportunities submitted by the different key stakeholders of the project based on the catalytic fund’s strategic goals, requirements and guidelines.
This position will be based in Kigali, Rwanda, and is contingent upon project award to AFR.
Reporting line: The position reports to the Senior Program Manager Terimbere SME Financing Support Facility.
Supervises: None.
Location: Kigali, Rwanda.
Duration of the contract: Two years renewable based on performance.
Expected starting date: August 2023.
The Grant Analyst – Catalytic Fund will be responsible for the following key tasks in relation to Enhancing MSMEs and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Support in Rwanda Agriculture and Tourism and Hospitality (T&H) Sectors project:
- Review the grant applications submitted by beneficiaries to determine their eligibility for funding.
- Work closely with the project team to evaluate the feasibility and viability of the submitted applications, their potential impact on the firm, industry, local economy, and the environment.
- Participate in conducting due diligence on the applicant’s business and financial background to ensure that they have the capacity to execute the proposed project successfully. This will include review of the project’s technical feasibility and the adequacy of its financial and jobs creation projections.
- Monitor the implementation of the disbursed grants to ensure that the MSMEs are meeting their obligations under the grant agreement.
- Track SME progress against the agreed-upon milestones and performance indicators and ensure that the project is being implemented within agreed budget and time.
- Prepare regular reports on the performance of the MSMEs receiving the grants, including financial and impact reports.
- Work with the project MRM team to evaluate the success of the grants and making recommendations on the continuation, modification, or termination of the grants.
- Lead the review of any new granting mechanisms to ensure adherence to donor requirements related to eligibility for the Grantees, budget presentation, acceptability of cost allocation and other requirements.
- Lead and coordinate the implementation of the AFR grantee guidelines, including liaising with external legal counsel as required to develop standardized contract templates and other tools that will facilitate compliance in relation to the project.
- Monitor compliance with best practice for Implementing grant beneficiary selection and, taking corrective action as required and reporting any concerns to the appropriate accountable manager.
- Track the progress of grants and ensures that grant reports are submitted on time and accurately reflect the results achieved.
- Manage the budget for each grant, including monitoring expenditures and ensuring that spending is in line with the grant requirements.
- As per the project plan, carry out field visits, spot checks and develop field reports in order to ensure that partners are complying with the conditions of their contract and with best practice in financial management and industry best practices.
- Support Senior program Manager in the preparation of annual forecasts, ensuring comprehensive and accurate estimation of potential grantees.
- Take lead in project Budget monitoring ensuring that all activities and spending are in line with approved budget and that any variations are duly approved.
Educational, Experiences and Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting, or related field.
- Additional professional qualifications and relevant accreditations are an advantage.
- Also, including two years of professional administrative experience in grant administration, financial project management/program analysis, grant accounting, creating, and producing innovative and written materials to stimulate interest on the part of potential funding sources, public administration and public relations experience.
- Knowledge of GAAP or GAAS relating to grants.
- Keep abreast of best practice in grants management and, especially, of changing (or new) donor requirements and ensure that AFR’s grant management system is updated accordingly.
Experience and technical skills
- At least 3 years’ experience in grants, sub grants and budget management.
- Knowledge of donor funding rules and regulations.
- Experience in financial management, including developing and monitoring budgets and financial reporting.
- Previous experience in grant writing, grant management, or project management is required.
- Strong knowledge of grant writing and grant management principles.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to write compelling, reports, and other materials.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, as well as grant management software and databases.
- Experience in use of IT systems in grant management
- Strong excel, data analysis and presentation skills.
- Fluency in written and spoken Kinyarwanda and English.
- Knowledge of grant administration and program analysis
- Skill in public and interpersonal relations and maintaining effective and cooperative work relationships with potential funding sources and Fayette County staff.
- Skill in researching and preparing reports.
- Skill in effective oral and written communication. l in prioritizing and multi-tasking.
Attitude/ competences
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to develop and manage budgets, track project progress, and evaluate program effectiveness.
- The ability to build and maintain relationships with project staff, and other stakeholders.
- The ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Good interpersonal skills, a collaborative style and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
- Strong ethics and a commitment to transparency and accountability in all aspects of grant management.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send their both combined cover letter and well-detailed CV no later than 21st June 2023 at 5pm via the apply button below.
The application should contain a Resume with an e-mail address, daytime telephone contact, qualifications, achievements, experience, and names & addresses of three professional referees, together with a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) summarizing why you consider yourself particularly well suited for the position. Do not attach any other documents at this point. All applications will be selected on merit and only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews. For any questions regarding the application process, please contact hr@jobinrwanda.com
Note:
- This position is open to national candidates only.
- Qualified women candidates are highly encouraged to apply.
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