Project Officers - Singita Grumeti Fund

Job Advert: Project Officer - Rural enterprise development

The Singita Grumeti Fund is a non-profit organization carrying out wildlife conservation and

community development work in the western corridor of the Serengeti ecosystem in Tanzania. The Fund’s objective is to protect the Serengeti ecosystem, its natural landscape, and its wildlife. In community development, the Fund works with more than 20 local communities to enhance access to quality education, teach environmental awareness, promote responsible natural resource management, and support the establishment of small enterprises. The Singita Grumeti Fund’s presence in the communities builds relationships and strengthens partnerships, while addressing shared concerns.

The Purpose

The Project Officer – Rural Enterprise Development (RED) is a multi-disciplined individual primarily tasked with implementing the end-to-end Rural Enterprise Development program for the Singita Grumeti Fund (SGF) within Bunda and Serengeti districts of Mara Region, Tanzania. This implementation includes the operational day-to-day running of the program as well as the functional delivery of the program outcomes (i.e. Guiding of entrepreneurs and facilitation/training of entrepreneurs and rural community members). The Rural Enterprise Development program is being implemented under the technical direction of Raizcorp, a business incubator based in South Africa.

The Scope of the position

The Project Officer’s key responsibilities include:

         Successfully undergoing induction training at Raizcorp Base Camp in South Africa. This induction training may take up to two months and the Project Officer will need to be flexible enough to attend such training. It includes completing, and successfully passing all assessments, observations and evaluations. The Project Officer will be required to participate in ongoing training and development, which may be done either electronically or via travel to Raizcorp Base Camp South Africa.

         All administrative tasks, including report writing (quarterly and ad hoc as required by Raizcorp and/or Singita Grumeti Fund).

         The Project Officer conducts detailed entrepreneur sessions at least monthly that is both backward and forward looking, taking key business drivers into consideration.

         Maintains client files and updates information monthly and within reporting deadlines.

         The Project Officer will be required to write reports and submit them to Raizcorp and Singita Grumeti Fund COP Program Manager within 48 hours of having a session with an entrepreneur. The report is required to be factually correct, grammatically sound, and meet the minimum standard set out for reporting at Raizcorp. Although training is provided, it is the Project Officer’s responsibility to ensure that they are familiar with the reporting standards as they may change from time to time. Reporting is to be logged electronically via e-mail.

         Adheres to all the requirements of the Raizcorp Academy.

         Provides quarterly testimony regarding entrepreneur performance.

         Keeps apprised of relevant legislation that may impact the small business sector or relevant industries being catered to in the rural development program.

         Applies knowledge of changed legislation in the small business environment to entrepreneur sessions.

Training community members/entrepreneurs:

         The Project Officer will be expected to attend Raizcorp Facilitator Training, complete and pass all assessments and evaluation and submit to learning and facilitation observation sessions.

         The Project Officer must proactively study, question, understand and be able to apply all Raizcorp based learning and training courses that he/she will need to deliver to community members / entrepreneurs.

         The Project Officer must critically understand, and be able to apply, all Raizcorp based learning methodologies, practices and standards to a diverse audience.

         All learning / facilitation / training must be delivered to the required standard as determined by Raizcorp from time to time.

         Coordinating support to the local honey industry (and any industry deemed strategic) and reporting on all related activities.

         Other relevant activities as requested by supervisor.

The Profile of the position holder

Skills, Education, Experience & Minimum Criteria

         A Bachelor’s degree in Business with a strong financial foundation preferred.

         Must possess a good all-round understanding and passion for business and entrepreneurship. Although being an entrepreneur is not an express requirement, it is preferred.

         Experience in project management highly advantageous.

         Should possess sound business finance knowledge and a minimum of five years’ experience.

         Experience in facilitating training sessions and capacity building.

         Well-rounded experience in administration and ideally should be used to head-office style reporting.

         Experience in rural enterprise development and a good understanding of policy issues related to this sector is a plus.

         Maintain and develop robust relationships with key stakeholders operating in the Singita Grumeti Fund target villages (including local government officials, community leaders, other NGOs, CBOs, etc.).

         Fluent in both English and Kiswahili and ability and willingness to work with rural communities in their own rural environment.

         Computer literate specifically in the use of Microsoft products (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

         Proven communication skills, i.e. oral communication, report writing and presentation skills.

         Experience and or willingness to live and work in remote rural areas.

         A valid vehicle driving license, the ability to ride a motorbike is preferred.

Behavioral Competencies

         Empathy.

         Highly engaged team player with strong collaborative spirit.

         The proven ability to work independently, without supervision, while delivering on project outcomes and deadlines.

         A defined ability to build and maintain effective people relationships.

         Strong solutioning capability and pro-active need to solution around problems.

         Out-of-the box thinking and creativity.

         Good attention to detail and accuracy.

         Ability to work under pressure and deadlines.

         Open to change and to new opportunities to learn.

         Not afraid of confrontation and challenging people engagement.

         Ability to take constructive criticism and take corrective action to make improvement.

         Emotional maturity and ability to take ownership and accountability.

Please send your application to the email Recruitment@grumeti.singita.com . The application deadline is 17th February 2017 and only SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.

Please include in your application

         Cover letter,

         Curriculum vitae with name and telephone contacts of three referees, and

         Copies of relevant certificates.