Readvertisement : Enterprise Finance Advisor

Title: Enterprise Finance Advisor

Program: BlueBiz Program

Reports to: Subaward and Enterprise Fund Manager

Location: Mombasa with travel to Nairobi, Kilifi, Tana River, Kwale, and Lamu.

Grade: 7

TechnoServe Background: 

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing...when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Program Description: 

TechnoServe is implementing the 3-year program, which seeks to advance education through skills development aimed at technical, enterprise development, financial literacy, and soft skills that young people need to launch, operate and grow microenterprises in the “Blue Economy''. For the purpose of this project, the Blue Economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems. 

The Program is designed to sustainably respond to the key constraints that young women and men face in starting and growing microenterprises in Kenya’s Blue Economy by affecting change at the systems level through engaging and catalyzing local actors. Constraints addressed include skills development, access to financial solutions and appropriate technology, links to markets, and enhanced networks and leadership, with specific plans tailored to the local context, core issues, and solutions identified by youth leadership.

BlueBiz will work in Kenya’s five riparian coastal counties, Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River, and Lamu, engaging with at least four local partners in each county to contextualize the program activities with partners’ local insight into communities’ unique needs and interests. BlueBiz will deliver results by working with and building the capacity of four local partners in each of the target counties to contextualize program activities with partners’ local insight into communities’ unique needs and interests. Local stakeholders, including coastal civil society organizations (CSOs), private sector actors, and government stakeholders, engage young women and men to generate economic opportunities contributing to youth resilience and poverty eradication. TechnoServe will provide training to local business service providers, who will support businesses in improving performance and becoming more commercially viable, in recognition that this is a severely disadvantaged and marginalized part of the country underserved by financial service infrastructure. The program will increase the skills and abilities of local stakeholders to support the development of sustainable business models while partners supply additional insight and technical knowledge of the program’s environmental components.

Position Description: 

The Enterprise Finance Advisor will be responsible for five main tasks:

Work with the Subawards and Enterprise Fund Manager in the selection, review and award process for potential local organisations (sub-awards) for funding including developing and improving the grants manual, selection criteria, reviewing business proposals and preparing grants budgets.  Monitoring performance of local organisations including reporting and compliance. Provide capacity building, training, mentorship and coaching to support local organisations including community-based organisations, self-help groups, associations specifically in compliance and financial management. Managing the relationships between TechnoServe and local partner organisations, and in culturing relationships with other key stakeholders in Kenya’s Coastal Blue Economy. Develop criteria, processes and manage program’s Enterprise Fund. The Enterprise Fund is designed to provide financial support to young men and women in the blue economy sector in the Coastal region. 

 Key Roles and Responsibilities

Subaward Management

Conduct thorough assessments of subgrantees' systems through walkthroughs and analysis identifying gaps in financial, operational, and administrative processes. Provide strategic advice based on assessment outcomes. Review support documentation and processes to ensure alignment with approved donor budget, reporting requirements and donor-specific regulations and reporting guidelines. Collaborate with Grants & Contracts Departments to develop and deliver training on donor-related requirements and develop continuous learning plans for subgrantees.  Conduct regular partner assessments to identify capacity gaps and system gaps within subgrantees' teams and provide capacity building through designing and facilitating coaching sessions, workshops, and training tailored to address identified gaps. Recommend improvements and assist in implementing changes to enhance partner financial processes. Guide subgrantees in adhering to donor policies, including Procurement, Vehicle Usage, and Conflict of Interest. Support subgrantees during audits and reviews by assisting in gathering required documents. Liaise with internal and external auditors to ensure smooth audit processes. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with project goals and reporting requirements. Prepare regular reports on capacity-building activities and outcomes.

Enterprise Fund Management

Provide oversight throughout the Enterprise Fund from inception to conclusion. Assist in the development and refinement of the Enterprise Fund guidelines,criteria and Assessment toolkits, pitch decks, scoring templates and related material. Support entrepreneurs and enterprises in proposal development providing appropriate contracts for proposal narratives and budgeting.  Assess the suitability of grant proposals (fit-for-purpose) to ensure alignment with TechnoServe objectives and funding criteria. Participate in the selection and screening of entrepreneurs, utilising established and or improved scoring matrices to ensure objective evaluation and make recommendations for funding to the funding committee. Conduct due diligence activities including physical visits to existing or potential grantees,to verify information and assess feasibility. Maintain proactive communication with applicants offering guidance and support throughout the application process to enhance understanding and compliance. Oversee the pitching process and provide post-pitching support to entrepreneurs, collaborating with enterprise development advisors to address identified gaps and challenges. Support in the award and contracting process for selected entrepreneurs, ensuring transparency and fairness in the selection process. Monitor and track the progress of funded entrepreneurs following up to ensure milestones are met. Collect and analyze data to evaluate the success of the grant program, preparing comprehensive reports on grant performance for internal and external stakeholders. Manage documentation, records, and correspondence related to the enterprise fund maintaining accurate and up-to-date records for audit and reporting purposes.

Ad Hoc Responsibilities:

Undertake any additional duties assigned to meet project needs. Proactively contribute to organizational improvement initiatives.

Required Skills & Experience 

Master’s degree with 2 years’ experience or Bachelor’s degree in (Bcom/Finance) with 4 years’ experience in similar position and at least a finance management certification. Demonstrated abilities to provide business advisory services are desired. Experience in grant evaluation, oversight, and management preferably in a development or nonprofit setting. Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess proposals and data objectively. Ability to examine business financial records and provide detailed recommendations for improvement or funding potential Demonstrated familiarity with not-for-profit reporting in addition to reporting for commercial enterprises is a must. Familiar with computerised accounting programs Detail-oriented approach with strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Above-average proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Maintain high levels of confidentiality about sensitive and confidential financial information and decisions. Ability to travel for site visits and meetings as required.

  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe's vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability, and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.