Field Associate at Village Enterprise

Job Description

Village Enterprise is seeking a candidate who will manage Business Mentors in the region to successfully carry out the NAWIRI Program  implementation  in  support  of  implementation  of  Village  Enterprise  Mission  and  Vision. Candidate will support additional core program efforts as needed. This is a split, field/office position, requiring ~60% time in the field and ~40% time in the office. A minimum time commitment of one year is required. 

Business Mentor Activities: 

1. Manage all Business Mentors (BMs) in your region, ensuring high-quality Core Program implementation
2. Regular field visits (3-4 days a week) to assess training and mentoring by the Business Mentors and overall performance
3. of businesses and carry out at least 6 business spot-checks per week.
4. Spearhead the Village opening process in all the sub-counties
5. Guide Business mentor on SBs and PRs grant applications for viable businesses and approve prior to submitting them
6. to the Program Manager for review
7. Ensure BMs work plans are developed, followed and timely shared through a google sheet

Bi-weekly meetings and Induction Training for BMs

1. Prepare bi-weekly meeting and agendas, and ensure they are timely update and sharing through a goggle sheet.
2. Train BMs on new forms that need to be collected, constantly reinforcing the importance and  value of the data we collect and helping BMs troubleshoot issues as needed.
3. Work with M&E during each biweekly meeting to confirm that the BMs have collected the proper forms and confirm their upload to the database.
4. Lead and conduct Induction Training/onboarding for new BMs. This includes working closely with  departments to prepare agenda, schedule Field Visits, prepare materials  
5. Work with Finance & A to ensure that all, induction and bi-weekly materials are printed or made available in a timely manner
6. Updated with safeguarding in September 2019

Reporting Program Reporting

1. Work with the Program Manager to Collect, Develop, validate, consolidate, revise and submit BM work plans in a timely fashion.
2. Monitor the collection of Mentoring logs and activity reports on behalf of the organization.
3. Submit reports and minutes of any meeting attended on behalf of Village Enterprise.
4. Ensure updated reports on attendance is tracked.

Managing Partnerships

1. Help establish a relationship with Local Government officials, community leaders and other stakeholders.
2. The Field Associate represents the organization at district and sub county level including general meetings with Local government leadership, humanitarian actors, partners, protocol meetings, security meetings, as well as sector program meetings in consultation with the Program Manager
3. Provide Management with reports and feedback from government and partnership meetings as needed within three days after the meeting.
4. Support the BMs to register all Business Savings Groups with relevant government authorities at various levels.
5. Develop and implement County and sub county entry and Facilitate expansion strategy to new areas of operation in collaboration with the Program Manager
6. The Field  Associate  provides  general  support,  guidance,  and  serves  as  focal  point  during  program  planning  and reporting.
7. Internal activity coordination
8. Participate in Innovation Team meetings, actively participating and bring a positive field perspective to the team
9. Support BMs in the implementation of the Adapted Nutrition-Friendly Graduation Model, studies and data collection as needed
10. Provide feedback and support to overall program, pilots and strategic expansion
11. Work with the innovations team to train other partners or organizations
12. Act as  focal  persons  for  capturing  ideas,  learnings  from  the  Business  mentors  and  communities  and  submit  to  the innovations team.
13. Work with M&E to deliver quality BM refresher activities
14. Support BMs in phone/Tablet troubleshooting and in guiding BMs through quality data collection protocols

Vision trip and Donor Visits

1. Represent Village Enterprises’ values and program to donors, Guests and visiting staff
2. Work with Management to arrange field scheduling for visitors, donors and guests
3. Coordinate all preparations at the field level
4. In some cases, work on the weekends to accommodate donor and staff visits

Business Mentor performance appraisal and Professional development.

1. Submit quarterly reports to the ACD, RM, Human Resource Coordinator and Country Director on Business mentor performance.
2. Work with the ACD, Program Manager, and HR Coordinator to identify professional development opportunities for BMs and implement them.
3. Work with the HR Coordinator to conduct performance reviews for BMs
4. Assist with the improvement and development of monitoring activities and materials for business mentors.
5. Management and Administration:
6. Updated with safeguarding in September 2019
7. The Field  Associate  ensures  that  Village  Enterprise  procedures  and  donor  regulations  applicable  to  a  project implemented in the area of operation concerning program, logistics, fraud control, protection of vulnerable groups and special interest groups in collaboration with the HR Coordinator, ACD, and Program Manager.
8. The Field Associate is responsible for overseeing the management of day-to-day field operations including monitoring and reporting on staff attendance, staff leave and authorization of minor emergency field expenses in consultation with the HRC/Program Manager.

Logistics: 

1. Field Associate is in charge of overseeing and reporting on the logistics the field team including enforcement of field safety guidelines and adherence.
2. Responsible for monitoring and reporting equipment usage and storage, planning, and maintenance of equipment and the functioning of the means of communication appropriate for the respective field staff.
3. Assist in Computation of Field stipends for Field Staff

Communication

1. Communicate field challenges, opportunities and constraints
2. Provide feedback to supervisors and other line managers through Email, phone,
3. Participate in Monday Morning Meetings (MMMs) and Partnership meetings by providing field updates and responses to field questions
4. Participate and provide content to Field Associates calls.
5. Ensure BMs Collect and submit success Stories with photos as needed
6. Field Associate is responsible for the delivery of program outputs and co-ordination of field team (Business Mentors) in area of jurisdiction.

Safeguarding

1. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility at VE, and it begins with me
2. Continuously sensitize program participants on safeguarding.
3. Ensure compliance with VE’s safeguarding policies
4. Report any incident of safeguarding in program operations for appropriate action/follow up.
5. This position will work closely with communities, particularly HHs that have children under the age of 5.

 To protect our project participants is key.

A Covid-19 vaccination certificate is an added advantage.

Core Competencies:

1. Dedicated and hardworking
2. Highly self-motivated
3. Easy to interact and engage with various community groups
4. Confident and proactive in pursuing organization goals

Qualifications

1. A Diploma in community development, business management, education and or any other course related to rural development.
2. IT knowledge is an added advantage.
3. Must have strong communication, organization and interpersonal skills.
4. Experience in leading teams, teaching, training, community service and working in rural set ups.
5. Served in a comparable and relevant position for a minimum period of one (1) year.
6. Shown merit and ability in work performance and results.
7. A valid driving license for a motorbike is an added advantage