Shelter for Life International (SFL) is a humanitarian organization with more than 30 years of experience in the international humanitarian field. SFL specializes in infrastructure reconstruction, agricultural development, food security and the application of microcredit. An approach that remains culturally sensitive, emphasizes community participation, and uses appropriate technology as an integral part of all SFL projects and programs. SFL's mission is to demonstrate God's love by enabling people to rebuild their communities and restore their lives.For more information, see our website: www.shelter.org
SFL plans to implement a six-year program in Senegal, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau to develop and improve the value chain linkages needed to support an integrated regional cashew nut trade network. The proposed program will consider these links in four program components: (1) market infrastructure, (2) financial services, (3) market access and connections and (4) good agricultural practices. The program "Linking infrastructure, finance and cashew nut farms" will create sustainable trade infrastructure, improve access to financial services, organize and train small farmers to increase their production and negotiating capacity and strengthen the capacity of local processors to add value to nuts in the cashew production area in West Africa.

PROFILE:
Reporting to the Market Access Manager. TheCashew Fund Coordinator (CFC) is responsible for efficient investment of SFL funds to support increase of collective sales of Raw Cashew Nut (RCN) and RCN processing. CFC will be responsible for working with commercial banks on providing loans to associations and cooperatives by supporting loan portfolio of the banks provided for purchase of RCN and to make equity investment in processing companies by providing funding for increasing capacity (equipment, storages) and purchase of RCN.
CFC will as contact person with processors and associations/cooperatives, with main emphasis on processor capacity building conducting trainings, coaching, facilitating market linkages and support with technical advice on organizational structure, process improvement, financial management, products and services, sales.
CFC ensures that processors and associations/cooperatives are engaged in processing and collective sales of raw cashew nuts (RCN) by facilitating good partnership of processors and associations/cooperatives with commercial banks, government stakeholders, community members, extension service providers, input suppliers, private sectors and other relevant partners in the target districts by strengthening their capacity in processing and organizing collective sales, increasing profit and improving business operations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Implementation:
•Development of cashew fund annual operational plan as derived from the approved general operational plan.
•Work with the project team and processors, banks, associations/cooperatives to achieve the project outputs/outcomes regarding volumes of processing of RCN and collective sales.
•Create partnership and synergies based on contracts and MoU with partners and beneficiaries, develop work plans and ensure proper implementation.
•Ensuring that activities are effectively and efficiently executed that the overall objectives are achieved, deadlines are met, and budgets are managed effectively.
•Ensure that all grants are linked to project indicators and support for strengthening at least 30% of the targeted indicator;
•Finalize a clear manual for the funding, monitoring and evaluation;
•Make quarterly and semi-annual evaluations of the funds or support granted to each organization (follow-up of the financial and narrative reports of the beneficiary organizations).
•Summarize each fiscal year, the participation of the fund in achieving the project indicators and the changes brought about by this assistance.
Technical Expertise:
•Prepare annual work plans (narratives, logical framework, implementation schedules, budget costing)
•Evaluate proposals for possible funding in areas aimed at promoting post-harvest and processing technologies that are best suited for adoption by Large and Small to medium operators.
•Liaise with development partners through proposals with an objective of soliciting for funds that would be used to promote cashew processing technologies and industry;
•Advise on the viability adequacy and relevancy of the technologies for cashew-based industries.
•Coordinate the issuance of funding and maintain documentation through the development and upkeep of a funding database;
•Develop funding guidelines, processes, and procedures, training staff members on these procedures, and addressing all investment related questions;
•In collaboration with the CMA, support set up of new processing companies and associations/cooperatives and strengthen existing ones in all matters connected to cashew sector.
•Review monthly financial and program reports for early identification of any challenges and risks in funding spending and implementation
•In collaboration with financial system of SeGaBi, facilitate market linkages between banks, associations/cooperatives and private sector entities (exporters, buyers, intermediaries, processors, investors).
•Development and maintenance of a funding management and tracking tool
•Supervise development of processors and associations/cooperatives before and after funding;
•Ensure that the project implemented by beneficiaries according to work-plan agreed in MoU.

Capacity Building
•Facilitate identification of training needs related to the fund, prepare training materials, and deliver training for trainers (ToT) to processors, banks and associations/cooperatives beneficiaries, partners, government staff, private sectors on financial management, investment, loan management, business plan development and other services
•For a better understanding of the fund, provide technical support to processors, banks, associations/cooperatives to strengthen technical and managerial skills by coaching and individual consultation;

Learning, Knowledge Management and Results Dissemination
•Attend relevant meetings, technical working groups, conferences, etc. to share knowledge generated through project activities, and leverage collaboration.
•Schedule and coordinate regular grant management meetings to monitor progress against activities;
•Contribute to project M&E activities, including data collection and reporting in coordination with the M&E team.
•Support the M&E and Communications teams to develop case studies and success stories from project activities.
•Provide status reports as required by management on weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual basis
•Provide success stories on the successes of the fund.
•Conduct other duties as may be assigned by the Marketing Access Manager.

These essential functions are not to be interpreted as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related duties as required. All work responsibilities are subject to having performance goals and/or targets established.

SELECTION CRITERIA:
Education and qualifications
•MSs in Finance and Investment, Business Administration, Audit or Economics
•Knowledge of Agriculture Sector and cashew value chain.

Experience
•At least sevenyears of experience in the areas of equity investment, financing, audit and cooperation with banks, understandingassociations/cooperativesdevelopment and strengthening, sales, marketing, business planning & assessment, organizational capacity building of private sector and community based institutions;

•Experience of project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
•Previous work experience with banks, INGOs and private sector would be a strong asset.

Skills
•Strong communication, interpersonal, community level facilitation and coordination skills
•Computer literacy, good record keeping and report writing
•Strong teamwork skills and the ability to work in a multi partner initiatives
•Budget and financial management, training need assessment and training facilitation
•Willingness to work in rural/marginal areas, ability to work with minimum supervision
•Fluency in Portuguese,French and English is mandatory; knowledge of local language would be a strong asset.

CONTRACT:
•initial contract will be for one year with a probation period of three months and will be renewable depending on the candidate's performance.
•The position will be based in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. The employee will cover accommodation and relocation costs.