Click to download the Terms of Reference. - FSD Kenya

TERMS OF REFERENCE
GROWTHCAP: ‘SME FINANCE CHAMPIONS’ (JUNIOR CONSULTANT)
1. BACKGROUND
Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Kenya was established in 2005 to support the
development of financial markets in Kenya as a means to stimulate wealth creation and
reduce poverty. Working in partnership with the financial services industry, FSDK’s
goal is to expand access to financial services among lower income households and
smaller enterprises. FSDK operates as an independent trust under the supervision of
professional trustees with policy guidance from a Programme Investment Committee.
Within the wider remit of FSD Kenya, and recognising the strategic importance of
SME’s, the GrowthCap Project has been incepted. GrowthCap is a unique and
innovative new initiative designed to build capacity within Kenya’s SME financial
sector community through the provision of focussed support to a select group of
financial institutions. GrowthCap seeks to identify and promote real and sustainable
innovation in the provision of SME financial products and services i.e. breakthrough
thinking that has the potential to be industry defining. The project will work alongside
partner institutions to design and deliver innovative SME-centred products and services;
and maximize their commercial performance in a market sector that is accepted as
being crucial for future profitability and growth.
2. GROWTHCAP PROJECT OBJECTIVE
To build the capacity of the financial sector to provide high quality SME centred
financial products and services.
3. PURPOSE OF ROLE
The role will support the Head of GrowthCap to develop and manage the project, the
aim of which is to build the capacity of the financial sector to provide high quality SME
centred financial products and services.
SME Finance Champions will operate at the Project’s front-line and be responsible (in
collaboration with the Project Head) for establishing and maintaining trusted
partnerships between GrowthCap and the selected Action Research Partners; and
managing lines of communication between the organisations (where applicable).
4. ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
The SME Finance Champions will be expected (but not limited) to:
Work alongside the Action Research Partner (’ARP’) and develop an
understanding of their SME banking operation and practice; and, also, their
future strategic intent in respect of the SME market.
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Build relationships with key personnel within the ‘ARP’ and assist them in all
tasks associated with the GrowthCap initiative; and help to embed new SME
‘custom & practice’ within the culture of the ‘ARP’.
Undertake action research within the ‘ARP’ based upon situation & needs
analysis.
Help to define future SME delivery strategies and assist in their implementation.
Scope projects based on defined SME strategic objectives, situation analysis and
available resources.
Develop materials for internal use.
Write interim reports for both the ‘ARP’ and Growthcap.
Contribute towards project and change management that will be an important
component of success.
Provide an effective line of communication between GrowthCap and its ‘ARPs’.
Help design and manage on-going mechanisms for monitoring & evaluation the
impact of GrowthCap support in terms of assist the ‘ARP’ to achieve its strategic
objectives in the SME market.
The role holder will be expected to participate in effective management of wider FSD
Programme. Specifically, this will involve:
Supporting the efficient and effective operation of the Trust at all times in a
manner consistent with the terms of the Trust Deed, funding agreements with
donors and the defined policies and procedures.
Participating in all routine FSD programme management meetings and
programme investment committee (PIC) meetings where required
Taking all reasonable steps in execution of role of SME Banking Champion -
GrowthCap Project to:
- avoid financial losses to the Trust,
- control fraud both internally and externally,
- comply with operating policies and procedures,
- ensure full transparency and accountability to Trustees,
- maintain and protect key financial records and data,
- safeguard confidential information, and
- avoid damage to the public reputation of the Trust.
Providing all reasonable support to the Director in ensuring that FSD’s Trustees
are able to execute their obligations under the Trust Deed, providing
information expeditiously where requested and advice on specific issues raised.
5. OUTCOMES AND DELIVERABLES
As part of a Team, the SME Finance Champion is required to deliver the GrowthCap
project objective. In contributing to this wider objective, the role is required to deliver
specific objectives (to be defined as the project progresses) within individual partner
Action Research Partners which fall under the direct responsibility of the role holder,
and collaborate to share learning with other SME Finance Champions.
The detailed project outputs and activities, which the role holder will directly link into
are provided as appendix 1 to this document.
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From the role holders perspective, an expected outcome is that the SME Finance
Champions will emerge as well-trained SME finance professionals certified by the
GrowthCap project. On completion, they will become highly employable and soughtafter
employees with a skill-set in high demand within the banking community.
6. PERSON REQUIREMENTS
Mandatory requirements
At least a first degree (or its equivalent) in Economics, Management, Business
Administration, Public Sector/Administration, Finance or any other related discipline
Competence in the use of standard software applications (MS Word, Power Point, Excel)
Good command of English (oral and written)
A Kenyan national
Minimum of two years and a maximum of five years of relevant experience
Highly desirable requirements
Strong drive, determination & ‘need for achievement’ (including career ambition)
Commitment to remain within the Financial Services Sector, & drive change post project
Change management experience, strong interpersonal skills and demonstrable ‘emotional intelligence’,
strong facilitation skills, creative problem solving capability and the ability to influence others by logic &
persuasion
Experience of working with SMEs and / or empathy with the SME context
Relevant knowledge of the Kenyan financial markets
Relevant analytical skills
7. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
This will follow a 3 stage process:
Stage 1: All Mandatory requirements detailed above need to be met following
which the application and assessment can continue
Stage 2: The highly desirable requirements are assessed using the template
below
Stage 3: Cost relative to budget and relative experience is assessed
Stage 2 Assessment Template
Assessment criteria
Weighting
(%)
Strong drive, determination & ‘need for achievement’ (including career ambition) 20
Commitment to remain within the Financial Services Sector, & drive change post project 20
Change management experience, strong interpersonal skills and demonstrable ‘emotional 30
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Assessment criteria
intelligence’, strong facilitation skills, creative problem solving capability and the ability to
influence others by logic & persuasion
Weighting
(%)
Experience of working with SMEs and / or empathy with the SME context 10
Relevant knowledge of the Kenyan financial markets 10
Relevant analytical skills 10
Total 100
8. CONDUCT OF WORK
The SME Finance champion to the GrowthCap project shall work from the FSD office,
reporting to the Head of GrowthCap and will be accountable for achieving GrowthCap
certification.
Office accommodation and a computer will be provided at FSD offices together with
necessary secretarial support and transport. All travel for work outside attendance at
FSD offices will be directly booked and provided by FSD. Where necessary, expenses
will be reimbursed against receipt. The position will be subject to two way 3 month
notice periods and FSD’s normal personnel policies and procedures.
9. TIMETABLE
The SME Finance Champion will begin work at FSD Kenya as soon as possible.
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APPENDIX 1 – GROWTHCAP OUTPUTS AND ACTIVITIES
1. Successful providers of quality SME focussed products and services created under the
action research partner programme
1.1. Select action research partners (ARPs) through competitive process
1.2. Undertake needs analysis to identify action plans match GrowthCap inputs with ARP
requirements to develop new SME finance products and services
1.3. Provide technical assistance to ARPs as required to support the implementation of
action plans
1.4. Document ARP implementation experiences in implementation case studies and
briefing notes
1.5. Hold GrowthCap forums and other events to encourage cross learning among ARPs
2. Relevant resources and toolkits developed for action research partners and the wider
financial sector
2.1. Draft preliminary SME finance toolkits based on international best practice
2.2. Test and refine toolkits with ARPs through product development process
2.3. Disseminate toolkits to wider financial sector
2.4. Develop training materials to accompany to accompany toolkits
2.5. Develop training of trainers (ToT) materials
2.6. Develop and deliver management module of SME finance training to senior
managers/board members of ARPs
2.7. Hold toolkit training workshops for select individuals within ARPs
3. Increased capacity of local service providers to deliver technical assistance and
training on toolkits
3.1. Competitively select Kenya based business service providers (consultants and trainers)
to participate in programme
3.2. Undertake classroom based training with service providers on toolkits
3.3. Support hands on training of service providers with toolkits in ARPs
3.4. Competitively select and hire young professionals to join consultants/trainers
development programme
3.5. Mentor young professional through hands-on assignments with ARPs
3.6. Certify service providers and young professionals in delivery of toolkits and training
using international subject specialists and GrowthCap staff
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